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Record of Proceedings

Hampton City Council Legislative Session - February 25, 2026

City Council — Wednesday, February 25, 2026
BodyHampton, Virginia
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, February 25, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 58:46

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:07

Good evening and welcome to the Hampton City Council legislative session.

0:12

I'd like to ask the clerk to call the role, please.

0:14

Councilman Bowman.

0:15

President Vice Mayor Brown.

0:16

Here.

0:17

Councilwoman Campbell.

0:18

President Councilwoman Fairby.

0:19

Present.

0:20

Councilwoman Harper.

0:21

Present.

0:21

Councilwoman Muggler.

0:23

President.

0:23

Mayor Gray.

0:24

Present.

0:25

And tonight's invocation Councilwoman Hope Harper.

0:29

So please stand and join us for the invocation as well as the Pledge of Allegiance.

0:37

Almighty God, we come to you as humbly as we know how.

0:42

Thank you for allowing us to see a day that we have never seen.

0:45

We thank you for the opportunity to serve the citizens and communities of our great city.

0:51

Allow us to make decisions that are in the best interest of the citizens in which we serve.

0:55

Continue to bless our public safety personnel and general employees, as they are the best investment within our city.

1:03

Thank you for your protection of the legacy of African Americans during Black History Month, of all of the accomplishments and contributions they have made to the City of Hampton.

1:15

In your holy name we pray, Amen.

1:27

One nation under God with liberty and justice for all.

1:52

The consent agenda consists of routine non-controversial items requiring council approval.

1:57

These items are typically adopted with one motion and without discussion.

2:00

Tonight, your consent agenda amends the fiscal year 2026 Council approved budget to appropriate up to 449,414 of the FY26 excess EMS fees from the assigned fund balance to the Division of Fire and Rescue's budget to purchase equipment for fire/slash EMS operations and the fire stations.

2:19

And it also approves the minutes from three city council meetings.

2:24

All right, we need a motion and a second so move.

2:30

Second Councilman Bowman.

2:33

Aye.

2:34

Vice Mayor Brown.

2:35

Aye.

2:35

Councilwoman Campbell.

2:36

Aye.

2:37

Councilwoman Faraby.

2:38

Aye.

2:39

Councilwoman Harper.

2:40

Aye.

2:40

Councilwoman Muggler.

2:41

Aye.

2:42

Mayor Gray.

2:43

Aye.

2:46

All right.

2:47

The next item uh is on the presentations, proclamations, and awards.

2:51

I do have a proclamation that I'd like to read and present this evening.

3:00

Don't see Miss Gwen Lomax here.

3:04

But I'm going to get the present uh proclamation and we'll read that anyway.

3:10

All right, this proclamation is proclaimed in March 2nd through 6, 2026 as Hampton Community Education Enrichment Program, Read Across America Week in the City of Hampton.

3:21

And whereas the citizens of the City of Hampton stand firmly committed to promoting readiness reading as a catalyst for its students' future academic success, their preparation for America's jobs of the future, and their ability to compete in the global economy.

3:37

And whereas the Hampton Community Education Enrichment Program has provided significant leadership in the area of community involvement in the education of our youth, grounded in the principle that educational investment is the key to the community's well-being and long-term quality of life.

3:52

And whereas the Hampton Community Education Enrichment Program promotes reading with diverse readers in the City of Hampton, and whereas for the past 26 years, the Hampton Community Education Enrichment Program has partnered with the City of the Hampton City of Hampton in an effort to ensure that our youth develop reading skills that they that they will use for the rest of their lives.

4:12

And whereas the City of Hampton's Mayor's Book Club promotes early literacy and strives to increase the likelihood that children grow up in an enrichment where in an environment where books are available and literacy is valued.

4:26

And whereas Read Across America, a national celebration of the joy of reading, promoting reading and adult involvement in the education of our community students.

4:36

And whereas on March 7, 2026, the City of Hampton will celebrate Read Across America Week in the at the Hampton Barnes and Nobles at 11 a.m.

4:45

Now, therefore, I James A.

4:47

Gray Jr., Mayor, on behalf of the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia, do hereby proclaim March 2nd through 6, 2026 as Hampton Community Education Enrichment Program Read Across America Week, and endorse the Hampton Community Education Enrichment Program Read Across America and encourage our community to engage in programs and activities to make America's children the best readers in the world.

5:11

And witness whereof I hear intercept my hand and cause a seal of the city of Hampton, Virginia to be affixed this 25th day of February to 2026.

5:20

Signed James A.

5:21

Gray.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Real Estate Assessment████████████████████████████████████36%
Public Engagement██████████10%
Historic Preservation██████████10%
Procedural█████████9%
Homelessness███████7%
Public Safety██████6%
Racial Equity█████5%
Education And Workforce Development████4%
Economic Development████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Hampton City Council Legislative Session – February 25, 2026

The Hampton City Council met in legislative session on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. All seven council members were present. The meeting included approval of consent items, a proclamation for Read Across America Week, a detailed budget briefing on real estate assessments, two public hearings granting easements to Dominion Energy, and public comments addressing Black History Month recognition and a proposed camping/storage ordinance. The meeting adjourned at 7:29 PM.

Consent Calendar

  • Item 26-0013: Resolution to amend the FY2026 budget by appropriating up to $449,414 in FY26 excess EMS fees from assigned fund balance to the Fire & Rescue budget for equipment purchases. Approved unanimously (7-0).
  • Item 26-0044: Approval of minutes from the special session of January 27, 2026, the work session of January 28, 2026, and the legislative session of February 11, 2026. Approved unanimously (7-0).

Presentations, Proclamations, Awards

  • Mayor Gray read a proclamation declaring March 2–6, 2026 as Read Across America Week in Hampton, encouraging community involvement in literacy.
  • City Manager Mary Bunting introduced City Assessor Libby Griebel for the annual real estate assessment briefing. Bunting emphasized that reassessments are required by state law to model 100% of market value and are not designed to generate revenue; tax rate decisions are made separately during budget deliberations. She also noted the Assessor’s Office is internationally accredited and has the highest competency rating.
  • Griebel presented detailed statistics: the grand total assessed value increased 3.9% overall; residential (single-family, condos, townhouses) rose ~5%; multifamily up 6.4%; commercial up 2.9%; exempt properties up 0.5%. The median sale price for residential properties reached $300,247. Assessment notices mail February 27; deadline for informal office review is March 30; Board of Review deadline is April 28. The office holds the International Association of Assessing Officers Certificate of Excellence, first obtained in 2011 and recertified in 2024.
  • In response to Councilwoman Campbell’s question, Griebel confirmed that all properties, including exempt ones, are assessed, but exempt properties receive lower priority due to staffing.
  • City Manager Bunting outlined the upcoming budget outreach schedule: in-person session March 3 at the Mary T. Christian Theater, Facebook Live March 5, and an in-person session March 7 at Kecoughtan High School, with online polling to follow.

Public Hearings

Item 26-0061 – Dominion Energy Easement for Langley Air Force Base

  • Ordinance to accept Dominion Energy’s bid for a non-exclusive easement across city-owned properties on North Armistead Avenue to provide electric service to Langley Air Force Base. Councilwoman Mugler recused herself (spouse is a paid lobbyist for Dominion). No public speakers signed up. Approved 6-0 (Mugler recused).

Item 26-0062 – Dominion Energy Easement for VDOT I-64 Project (Bethel Landfill)

  • Ordinance to accept Dominion Energy’s bid for a non-exclusive easement at the Bethel Landfill (100 North Park Lane) to serve VDOT property. Councilwoman Mugler recused. No public speakers signed up. Approved 6-0 (Mugler recused).

Public Comments & Testimony

  1. John Riddick: Thanked the city for addressing safety concerns on Mercury Boulevard (light poles, fencing). Expressed concern about lack of Black History Month exhibits and flags around the city, stating "it don't feel like Black History Month" and requested more representation. Praised council and staff.
  2. Joan Weaver: Spoke about Reverend Jesse Jackson, urging council to remember his values (of the people and for the people, empowerment, civil rights, economic/social justice). Criticized the city for marginalizing the Greater Wythe area and for what she called "frivolous lawsuits" and a lack of accountability, collaboration, and respect. Noted that notable figures like Katherine Johnson lived in the Greater Wythe neighborhood.
  3. Aaron Weaver: Opposed a proposed camping and storage ordinance, arguing it "will primarily affect homeless individuals" and criminalizes homelessness. Requested data on calls and enforcement, defined the term "reasonably available," mandatory service verification, public reporting, demographic breakdowns, and a sunset clause. Cited a Daily Press article quoting homelessness expert Joy Cipriano (Hampton-Newport News CSB) who stated ordinances like this "fail to address homelessness and inherently target vulnerable populations." Noted that regional homelessness increased 11%.

City Manager Responses to Public Comments

  • Bunting acknowledged Black History Month recognition, noting active exhibits at the Hampton History Museum (including a traveling 1619 exhibit) and social media posts.
  • Regarding the camping/storage ordinance, Bunting stated staff will pull the requested data. She read an email from Joy Cipriano clarifying that the Daily Press article misrepresented her comments; Cipriano expressed support for the stakeholder group’s consensus and collaboration with the city, and noted that the city attorney’s office had already determined a policy alone would not achieve the group’s goals. Cipriano remains committed to working with the city on homelessness strategies.

Reports by City Council

  • Councilmember Bowman honored Senator Mamie Locke (first African American mayor of Hampton, long-serving state senator, professor at Hampton University).
  • Councilmember Ferebee highlighted the history of Bayshore Beach, a historically Black-owned beach (1898) that hosted entertainers like Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald, and was listed in the Green Book.
  • Councilmember Harper recognized Dr. Mary T. Christian (first African American since Reconstruction elected to the Virginia House of Delegates from the 92nd district, former teacher, professor emeritus at Hampton University), noting two schools bear her name and her skill in collaboration.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda: Approved unanimously (7-0).
  • Item 26-0061 (Dominion/Langley easement): Approved 6-0 (Mugler recused).
  • Item 26-0062 (Dominion/VDOT easement): Approved 6-0 (Mugler recused).
  • Proclamation: Read Across America Week (March 2-6) endorsed.
  • Budget outreach: Series of public input sessions scheduled for early March; online polling to follow.
  • Data request: City Manager will provide requested data on camping/storage ordinance calls and enforcement.
  • Adjournment: 7:29 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening and welcome to the Hampton City Council legislative session. I'd like to ask the clerk to call the role, please. Councilman Bowman. President Vice Mayor Brown. Here. Councilwoman Campbell. President Councilwoman Fairby. Present. Councilwoman Harper. Present. Councilwoman Muggler. President. Mayor Gray. Present. And tonight's invocation Councilwoman Hope Harper. So please stand and join us for the invocation as well as the Pledge of Allegiance. Almighty God, we come to you as humbly as we know how. Thank you for allowing us to see a day that we have never seen. We thank you for the opportunity to serve the citizens and communities of our great city. Allow us to make decisions that are in the best interest of the citizens in which we serve. Continue to bless our public safety personnel and general employees, as they are the best investment within our city. Thank you for your protection of the legacy of African Americans during Black History Month, of all of the accomplishments and contributions they have made to the City of Hampton. In your holy name we pray, Amen. One nation under God with liberty and justice for all. The consent agenda consists of routine non-controversial items requiring council approval. These items are typically adopted with one motion and without discussion. Tonight, your consent agenda amends the fiscal year 2026 Council approved budget to appropriate up to 449,414 of the FY26 excess EMS fees from the assigned fund balance to the Division of Fire and Rescue's budget to purchase equipment for fire/slash EMS operations and the fire stations. And it also approves the minutes from three city council meetings. All right, we need a motion and a second so move. Second Councilman Bowman. Aye. Vice Mayor Brown. Aye. Councilwoman Campbell. Aye. Councilwoman Faraby. Aye. Councilwoman Harper. Aye. Councilwoman Muggler. Aye. Mayor Gray. Aye. All right. The next item uh is on the presentations, proclamations, and awards. I do have a proclamation that I'd like to read and present this evening. Don't see Miss Gwen Lomax here. But I'm going to get the present uh proclamation and we'll read that anyway. All right, this proclamation is proclaimed in March 2nd through 6, 2026 as Hampton Community Education Enrichment Program, Read Across America Week in the City of Hampton. And whereas the citizens of the City of Hampton stand firmly committed to promoting readiness reading as a catalyst for its students' future academic success, their preparation for America's jobs of the future, and their ability to compete in the global economy.

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