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

Um our clerk uh Captain Glass is not with us this evening, and so uh uh deputy uh clerk uh Joy Moutz uh will be uh sitting in for her this evening.

So I'm gonna ask the deputy clerk to uh call the roll.

Councilman Bowman, present Vice Mayor Brown here, Councilwoman Campbell, present.

Councilwoman Faraby, present.

Councilwoman Harper, Councilwoman Muggler, Mayor Greg.

Present and Councilwoman Harper, Councilwoman Harper and Muggler will not be with us this evening.

So we look forward to having them back at the next meeting.

Umvocation this evening will be given by Councilman Randy Bowman, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

So I ask you to please stand uh and join us for both.

Heavenly Father, we come to you standing in need of prayer.

We ask that you protect our first responders, continue to unify the strong council of seven.

Let us be on the same accord as we make decisions to better our community.

Bless and preserve this nation under the shadow of your almighty wing.

Remind us always to live by your mercy and not by your merit.

For you cause the rain and the sunshine to fall upon good and the wicked alike.

Grant safety to all who dwell in our land, both the city, citizens, and the guests, that all who live here may go about their daily business without fear or terror.

Bless our land and peace and unity, bountiful harvest, and productive labor.

Defend us from every danger and guard and protect us from all evil.

Through Jesus Christ and Lord, our we pray.

Amen.

Pass the collection plates.

I have a couple of items I want to address on the mayor's comments this evening.

Um the first of those, uh, just want to take a moment to address concern that we've been hearing uh a lot of chatter going around about the city manager and I being a part of uh delegation that went to the United Kingdom uh last week uh on an economic development trip.

And while uh in some ways this uh has been characterized in the news that uh you know we were on a paid vacation at the taxpayers' expense.

Um this uh trip was anything but a paid vacation.

As a matter of fact, we were busy from the time we got there every evening, meeting schedule, and uh so we we didn't have a lot of time for uh you know vacationing while we were there.

But um, you know, that characterization of the trip was is you know not really accurate, and uh Canada's you know you know really kind of creates a disservice to the serious work that's being done in our region and on behalf of our region and as well as the residents in the city of Hampton.

Uh the delegation uh that we were involved with uh was a strategic economic development mission, uh, one that uh directly aligns with our region's efforts to grow jobs, attract investment, and strengthen our role in the national and global defense economy.

Hampton Roads is home to uh some of the largest concentrations of uh defense assets in the country and decisions being made today, particularly around advanced manufacturing, shipbuilding, logistics, and emerging defense technologies will take uh shape, and uh economic future happens to depend on these and into the next few decades.

So the city manager and I participated in this delegation for a clear purpose to ensure that Hampton is not left behind as these investments begin to accelerate.

So during that trip, uh we engaged directly with defense leaders, global companies, international partners.

And so we uh we missed a portion of uh some of the tours and the uh visits uh with some of the factories that are doing uh advanced manufacturing there, but uh nevertheless uh we we benefit from the discussion afterwards, and then we did make all of the rest of those.

But during that trip, we uh engaged directly, as I mentioned, with defense uh and global companies, international partners.

We visited world-class innovation centers, strengthen relationships with allied nations and identified real opportunities for workforce development, supply chain growth, and new business investment that benefit that will benefit citizens of Hampton.

This was not downtime, it was a series of working sessions, site visits, and strategic conversations from morning to evening.

And the goal was simple bring back opportunities that translate into jobs, business growth, and long-term economic resilience for our city.

I also had the opportunity while I was there, uh the city manager and I to visit Hampton's most meaningful international sister city relationship in Southampton, England.

Southampton is Hampton's oldest sister city and one of Great Britain's most historic port cities.

Located on the south coast of England, it has been a gateway for global trade and travel with a population just under 250,000.

Its history is deeply connected to major moments in world history.

The Titanic departed from Southampton in 1912 and the Mayflower began its voyage in 1620, carrying settlers to the new world, not far from where our own city stands.

So our connection to Southampton is not just symbolic, it's part of the civic identity.

And during the administration of Mayor Ann Kilgore, the City of Hampton, with the support of Southampton, work with the College of Heralds in London to create the official seal of the City of Hampton.

And that partnership is still reflected in our city's identity today today.

So if we are serious about creating opportunities for our citizens, especially in high growth high-wage industries, we must be willing to show up, build relationships, and compete on the global stage.

And that includes strengthening historic partnerships like the ones we share with Southampton and other communities in the UK, while also forging new ones that will bring opportunity back to Hampton.

And this is exactly what this delegation was all about.

And so we look forward to sharing uh uh additional connections.

And I want to say when we think about this, and again, you know, what we think about of our academies in Hampton, we we are teaching kids about the advanced manufacturing, digital ship design.

Um advanced um trying to think of some of the others and drawing the blank on that, but uh in um in uh technology and around shipbuilding, um HVAC and electrical course to trades, we'll position our kids to uh take advantage of uh many of the opportunities that are going to come our way.

And so we're coming back, we're debriefing on on that.

We're we're putting our team together to kind of talk about how we can capitalize on the many partnerships that we built and how we will take advantage of the uh defense buildup and the millions and billions of dollars that would be investing in shipbuilding in this region as well.

And so it's important that Hampton be there and have a seat at the table.

So again, this was not a vacation.

Um it was not uh a waste of time.

We thought it was time well spent, and the partnerships that we built will uh benefit us uh for many years to come.

Yes.

Okay, I get to that in just a second.

All right, and then I have one other item that I want to uh talk about, speaking of trips, and uh many of our residents have likely seen or heard about the increasing number of data centers in Virginia.

And uh as the use of artificial intelligence, online shopping, streaming services, and other digital technologies continues to grow.

The city council is committed to proactively strengthening our understanding of data centers and digital infrastructure necessary to support a thriving 21st century economy.

And while continuing to pay attention to the unique character and qualities that make the city of Hampton a special place to live, work and play.

But to strengthen our understanding, the council and staff will do a two-day uh, I'm sorry, two will tour two data center facilities next month to gain additional insight.

And these tours will be publicly noticed as a closed session city council meetings due to due to the proprietary information that we will voluntarily be shared or will voluntarily be shared by the private businesses uh as we are touring.

So, also in the upcoming uh weeks, the council have a work session uh to get an overview and a presentation on data centers and digital infrastructure in open session with city council, and we'll be able to be happy to share what we learned about them because it's important that you know we understand the impact of data centers on the community, what they the benefits of having data centers, the pros and cons of what may come with data centers, but we want to uh be educated about them so that we can make a decision should we have an opportunity to uh have one here in the city of Hampton.

So uh data centers are coming, uh, you know, all of the communities and all the city mayors that I'm involved with are talking about data centers and uh learning more about them.

So uh this is something that we want to make sure that we're fully aware of and how they how we'll handle that when the time comes for City of Hampton.

So with that, um I am going to um ask the clerk or deputy clerk uh to read the protocol for the consent agenda.

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

These items are typically adopted with one motion without discussion.

Tonight's consent agenda approves the refund of certain erroneous assessed business taxes, approves an encroachment agreement allowing installation of a retaining wall and driveway, and approves the minutes of three city council meetings.

All right, we need a motion and a second for the consent agenda.

So move.

Second.

Call a roll, please.

Councilman Bowman.

Aye, Vice Mayor Brown.

Aye.

Councilwoman Campbell, aye.

Councilwoman Theraby, aye.

Councilwoman Harper, Councilwoman Lugler, Mayor Gray.

Aye.

I have one proclamation that I want to read, and uh do have some people here who I'll ask to come up and join me.

Uh it's about the month of April.

And um this proclamation is proclaiming the month of April 2026 as Fair Housing Month in the City of Hampton, Virginia.

And whereas the Fair Housing Act enacting it on April 11th, 1968, enshrine in the federal law the goal of eliminating racial segregation and ending housing discrimination in the United States.

And whereas the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and commits recipients of federal funding to affirmatively further fair housing in their communities.

And whereas Hampton is committed to the mission and the intent of of Congress to provide fair and equal housing opportunities for all, and whereas our social fabric, the economy, health, and environment are all strengthened in diverse inclusive communities.

And whereas more than 50 years after the passage of the Fair Housing Act, discrimination still persists, and many communities remain segregated.

And whereas acts of housing discrimination and barriers to equal housing opportunity are offensive to a common sense of decency and fairness.

Now, therefore, I James A.

Gray, mayor on behalf of the City Council of the City of Hampton, Virginia, do hereby proclaim the month of April 2026 as Fair Housing Month in the City of Hampton.

And furthermore, I call upon all citizens of Hampton to join me in recognizing our city as an inclusive community committed to fair housing and promoting activities that provide and advocate for equal housing opportunities for all residents and prospective residents from the City of Hampton.

And witness whereof I've hereunto set my hand and cause the seal of the city of Hampton, Virginia to be affixed this first day of April 2026.

And uh this evening I have uh we have with us uh Ms.

Georgette Houchins, Business Development Officer for Virginia Housing, and um also Sherry Payton from the Housing Programs Manager Manager for Hampton Reader Valentine Housing.

So I'd like to ask both of them to come forward and uh receive the proclamation.

She has some for the event.

You want to ask me to see that Carol Wilson from the Housing Services coming up as well.

Yes.

Good evening, Mayor Gray, Vice Mayor Brown, Councilmember Bowman, Councilmember Campbell, and Councilmember Fairby, our city manager, and our Madam Clerk.

On behalf of community development department and our partners, I want to thank you for proclaiming April 2026 as Fair Housing Month and recognizing the anniversary of the Fair Housing Act and Shrine to federal law in April 1968.

We hope this proclamation will serve to generate awareness about fair and equitable housing and the rights of the public and its historic act.

To further educate the public, CDD secured a sponsorship from Virginia Housing to provide training for housing professionals and educational seminars for the public on fair housing and related laws and programs.

This year Hampton will be hosting the first of two fairs and forums on April 7th.

The first one will be aimed at providing education to housing professionals about the Fair Housing Act and the Landlord Tenant Rights Act.

Fair housing credits will be given to real estate agents for this event.

There will be a second fair housing forum on April 18th for the general public and housing services providers.

This session will also cover the Fair Housing Act as well as renters' rights, and there will be resource tables on site during the event.

Both events will be held at the Rupert Sargent Veteran Conference Meeting Room.

And information on the screen provides dates and a QR code to register.

There are also flyers on the back table.

Thank you for your time and your support of educational efforts about fair and equitable housing.

Okay, so with that, I'd like to ask the uh deputy clerk to uh read a protocol for public hearings.

The city council is committed to fair and respectful hearings.

The following guidelines help ensure an orderly process.

Individuals wishing to speak must sign up in the city hall lobby, starting one hour before the meeting and ending when the meeting begins.

Speakers will be called in order they signed up.

Speakers shall address counsel from the center podium.

Each speaker is allowed three minutes.

The timer has a green light, which will turn yellow with one minute remaining, then red when the time is up.

All comments must be addressed to this to the council.

Speakers may not yield their time to others.

After all speakers are heard, the mayor will close the public hearing and invite council discussion and action.

Item 4, 260107.

Resolution to authorize the acquisitions by negotiation or condemnation of portions of land and fee simple from properties located at 101 Clover Street, LRSN 8003106.

Excuse me, LRSN 8004922, and one little Oak Lane, LRSN 8004977.

Pursuant to 25.1-100 E seek and 152-1901 EC of the Code of Virginia of 1950 as amended for purposes of a public street, road, and associated public right-of-way necessary for bike and pedestrian access.

Sidewalks, paths.

Okay.

City manager.

Yes, Mr.

Mayor.

Um as we've discussed previously, the City of Hampton is proceeding with land acquisitions for the Little Back River Road, bike and pedestrian accommodation project, phase A, which will allow improvements to be made from approximately North King Street to Valerie Drive.

The project will consult construct sidewalk, shared use paths, and make associated improvements for pedestrian and bike access, including but not limited to crosswalks and ADA amenities.

In order to construct the improvements for this important project to best serve the citizens of the city, certain acquisitions are required of portions of four certain properties located in Hampton.

First address is 101 Clover Street.

The next one is 715 East Letterback River Road.

And again, it's a pretty small amount of property, 0.069 acres, or 3,025 square feet.

The third is 12 Classic Cove, that is 2,670 square feet plus or minus, which is approximately 0.061 acres.

And finally, one little Oak Lane, Hampton, with which we need 1,244 square feet, plus or minus, which is roughly 0.029 acres.

These are partial takes, not full takes of property.

And we always try to endeavor to use negotiation first, and we will continue to do that up until the last possible moment.

However, to maintain our uh required project management schedule with VDOT, it is now recommended that pursuant to the state code section 25.1-100 15.2-1901 and the applicable portions of section 33.2-1000 of the Code of Virginia of 1950 has amended that the city exercise its eminent domain authority to condemn to commence condemnation proceedings upon the identified required portions of the properties.

Since to date we've been unable to acquire them through negotiation.

Okay, this item requires a public hearing, so I'm going to open the public hearing.

Second.

Okay, we have a motion and second.

Any further discussion?

There being no, you call the roll, please.

Councilman Bowman.

Aye.

Vice Mayor Brown.

Aye.

Councilwoman Campbell.

Aye.

Councilwoman Faraby.

Aye.

Councilwoman Harper.

Councilwoman Mugler.

Mayor Gray.

Aye.

All right.

I'm going to ask the uh clerk to uh read the protocol for public comment period.

Council meetings are for conducting city business.

Public comment is allowed on matters within council's authority.

The following public hearing items.

Speakers must follow the citizen participation protocol.

Speakers may sign up in the lobby one hour before the meeting until it begins.

Speakers shall address counsel from the center podium.

Each speaker is allowed three minutes.

The timer has a green light, which will turn yellow with one minute remaining, then red when time is up.

Please speak respectfully and avoid personal attacks.

Focus on topics with council's jurisdiction.

Do not use the platform for political campaign speeches.

Comments must be directed to the council.

Yielding time is not allowed.

Audience must remain respectful and refrain from interruptions.

Council typically listens without engaging in discussion.

Responses may be provided by the city manager, city attorney, or council members after public comment.

Failure to follow the protocol may result in removal from the podium or meeting after fair warning.

All right, and before I get started with the speakers, I want to acknowledge the presence of uh delegate Virgil Thornton from the 86th House District.

Welcome.

Okay, we have several speakers signed up this evening.

Um you all know the rules.

Uh you have three minutes to speak.

If you wrote a five-minute speech, you still only get three minutes to say it.

Uh start with the green light, and the yellow light means you have one minute left, and then a red light means you're done.

So with that, first speaker is uh Miss Joan Weaver.

Starting down governance team.

And I'm so sad.

Ms.

Glass, I miss you.

I trust all as well.

I am here today.

My name Joan make good trouble, Weaver.

I am here to speak on something that touches my heart.

Mayor, Vice Mayor Stephen Brown.

You said it all at Miss Donna Little's honoring last night.

Yes, we, the advocates are sorely needed because without us in the community, those who don't have a voice or those who are easily intimidated have no chance.

Agitate, we're going to keep on agitating, and we will stop agitating once people stop perpetrating lack of accountability, lack of transparency, misuse of authority, gaslighting, going along to get along.

You all remove them, and people like Miss Little and myself can step back.

All right.

Criminal, do you know what I consider to be criminal?

I'll tell you to collect a salary from the people, and yet you do not represent and do for the people.

Leadership Academy 101.

I think the city of Hampton could utilize that and the municipal services, specifically pointing to codes, property, maintenance, and the treasurer's department.

Those are the areas that can help citizens the most, and yet those are the ones who hurt us the most.

There's so much more that they can do to help meet the citizens' needs.

Let's try to come together and do that.

We always hear, quote unquote, city attorney protects city interests.

So I'm here to ask everybody, and then in God's name, tell me who protects the citizens' interest.

That's something you've left out.

Clicks and politics, retrition, selective enforcements, gaslighting, smooth solas, those are not acceptable.

See us for who we are.

We are advocates.

We will speak for those who don't have a voice.

And when will we step back?

When you all do your job to help us as citizens, or when hell freezes over.

I would also like to know who is the Hampton City ombudsman.

So when customer service excellence is not received, where do our citizens go to address that?

Hampton can be a great city, but remember it takes you all, the governance team doing your part so that we the citizens can do ours.

Stop putting us on the back burner and respect us, work with us.

Thank you.

Thank you, Miss Weaver.

Uh next speaker is uh Mr.

Tom Shepherd.

Um while Mr.

Shepherd is coming, I'll let you know that Mr.

Shepard is a member of the uh County Board of Supervisors in York County.

Uh but he's here to speak on uh something uh closer to Hampton this evening.

So Mr.

Shepard will Mayor Gray, honorable uh City Council members, uh Mary Bunning.

Um I'm talking about something that's really near and dear to my heart.

I I'm really interesting to watch the city council in the first session.

I've seldom on this side of the podium, and so it's a kind of a unique experience.

Well, I'm not here to ask for any money.

Uh I'm not here to throw any spears.

Um I talk about something uh I'm here to thank you.

I want to thank you for a program that you're supporting in kind, and it's called the first tea of the Virginia Peninsula.

Now, all the serious subjects you talk about, the trips to England and the land and all the other things that you have to deal with.

You kind of want to what's what's first T.

Well, first T is a program that's national, it's a national program, has 150 chapters, and it deals with the game of golf, first T, hence the name.

Um, of the 150 chapters, three chapters uh are associated with YMCA because uh it's um but our program is uh designed so that it's supported by a 5013 program, okay.

And ours here is with the YMCA.

We're not a member of the YMCA or part of the YMC, although they treat us as account uh as part of their programming.

Uh we do support it and we're greatly appreciate that that support.

Um the first T program uh here it supports about 500 students uh on an after during the summer and after school program.

That's 500 kids.

And uh these are these are programs uh that where we bring the kids together and we teach them life skills.

Um it's amazing.

Uh the other day I shook hands with a seven-year-old, and you know, you put your hand out to shake hands, and what do they do?

They look down or they come in and want to do all kinds of stuff, and you get serious, and you teach them, try to teach them respect how to how to behave, a handshake is something that's really important.

Um, and you talk to the kids like this.

And it's amazing they don't get this at home, um, but they get it from the coach, okay.

Uh, we have uh all our coaches are certified coaches through the first T program.

I've been playing golf since I was 11 years old, so that's many decades ago, and I've been still playing as a passion of mine, and teaching kids uh is uh truly a passion.

Um here on the peninsula, we have in addition to the 500 uh children that we do through the after school programs, the summer programs, 37,000 students are touched through our program.

And this is part of the academic uh uh academic program in 71 schools, okay.

And I believe if I got my numbers correct, y'all fifty you have 15 schools, and we're in all 15 of the schools.

So, like where they teach in sports, they'll teach basketball, football, um, baseball, and now they're getting golf.

And in those programs, what we do is we train the coaches to uh I'm sorry, the time is my time's up already.

Well, thank you very much.

Sorry.

Okay.

Thank you, Mr.

Shepard.

Now you know how thank you, Mr.

Shepard.

Next speaker is Aaron Weaver.

All right.

Aaron Weaver.

We just started anywhere.

Okay.

Yesterday, well, two weeks ago, we on March 11th, we this council heard of something that was very important.

City Manager Bunton said plainly that the camping aka the homeless ordinance is not about solving homelessness.

And that exactly is the problem.

If that ordinance is not about solving homelessness, then why are we creating an ordinance that primarily affects homeless people?

That night the city kept uh pointing to public intoxication, urination, defecation, blocking the right-of-way, disruptive conduct, but those things are already illegal.

Those laws are already on the books.

Mayor Gray made that clear when he asked whether this ordinance would apply to beaches, protests, and other public uh property situations that are covered by other laws and park rules.

That question exposed the contradiction.

If the conduct being used to justify the ordinance is already illegal, then this ordinance is not really about those acts.

It's about sleep, and that should uh trouble everybody in this room today.

We were told misdemeanor offenses must be observed by the officer.

Fine, that's good information to know.

But what this ordinance does is create a new misdemeanor that is easier to observe because if a person is sleeping, when the officer arrives, the officer now is the person is right there.

So the city is not solving the misdemeanor problem, which they should be looking at, it is solving the observation problem by criminalizing sleep.

And sleep is not a crime.

Another argument we keep hearing is that it's only for a small number of people who refuse help.

But turning down a service does not create a legal place to sleep.

And with limited shelters, uh religious restrictions, trauma, mental illnesses, and other barriers to entry remains.

If someone has nowhere appropriate to go, where are they allowed to sleep at?

If the answer is nowhere, then this ordinance is not about behavior.

This is about punishing existence in public.

We also heard about uh hotel placements, future funding, a possible tiny home community, but these things are not guaranteed.

These housings is not guaranteed.

The funding is not guaranteed.

The criminal penalties would be guaranteed.

This is backwards.

If someone commits an actual crime, they are already laws for that.

So let's stop blending criminal acts with sleep as if they are the same thing.

They are not.

This ordinance criminalizes sleeping on public property.

That is the truth.

I asked the council, stop kicking the can down the road and finally say no to this, and and also focus on housing, outreach, treatment, and real solutions that go to the root cause.

Don't keep trying to push this off and say, Oh, hey, we'll we'll come back on hey, we'll come back this there and the third.

No, make a decision on it, which you all you you all should, but I clearly hope that you all would not make criminalized sleeping in Hampton, Virginia.

Sleeping should not be a criminal act.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Weaver.

Uh next speech speaker is Teresa Roundy.

Good evening.

My name is Theresa Roundy.

I'm a resident of Hampton.

Um I've came before this council for the last 20 and a little bit of years uh about Barnes Cemetery.

I um took a trip to Richmond this month and met with the Department of Historic Resources.

And while there I found out that they have designated Barnes Cemetery as a historic as a archaeological site, which means no development, nothing can be done with that property until the um the survey that I had given you a copy of for Ballard Cemetery has been done.

That's 1.24 acres.

My question is what what about the 0.97 acres that was uh that invisible line was moved and now there's a uh driveway part of a house and sewer lines and stuff going through that needs to also fall under that same thing, and I will be working on getting that designated also and find out uh what can be done about protecting that uh part of the cemetery.

It's also come to my attention.

There are several different uh developments that the city is looking at uh and looking to approve.

One is over by um Sims Middle School on um Fox Hill Road, and it's that uh if you're facing Sims, the wood at land to the right of it, right beside it, there's a cemetery there.

It's the stores family cemetery, which I I've given you uh a copy of uh information on that that dates back to the oldest person that I know that's in there that's been documented was John Stores, who died the Christmas Eve of 1846 at the age of 45, and his wife in 1886.

This was also brought to the city's attention back in November of 19 uh 83.

So the city's been aware of that cemetery since 1983.

Also, with the talk about uh doing away with the golf course and putting in uh housing, there's supposed to be a slave cemetery at hole uh 18.

So you might want to keep that in mind if you decide that you want to develop that.

Also, the Good Samaritan and Israelites cemetery is up front between the tennis court and the parking lot.

Some of it may already be under the tennis court and the parking lot.

So those are uh two right now that just jumps out.

Um also Armstead Avenue, the Armstead family goes back to this.

Uh there's a similar uh grave in there that goes back to the safe 1700s.

Thank you.

Thank you, Ms.

Roundy.

Uh next speaker is Craig Knott.

Good afternoon, mayor, city council.

Appreciate you guys allowing me to come up here and voice my concerns on different items and uh you know uh give you guys gratitude here and there.

Um couple things popped up.

Uh some of my main concerns though this year are on the 2026 legislative session.

Um couple things uh at the beginning of the uh session there was a lot of talks about 50 some um taxes that were gonna come out.

Now our delegates voted on them and Senator voted on them, but ultimately uh one way or another they ended up not passing, which was good.

Um there's a few things that did get passed that I am concerned about.

Uh the admin costs for the collective bargaining, uh, additional cost that the uh city has to incur for that.

Uh I definitely I'm a little concerned about that.

Um, another concern too is that we need to conserve our small businesses.

And this legislative session, um, there was one bill passed, and it's going to allow some of our small businesses to be sued.

That's a very big concern because those businesses did bring in, I believe a law of tax revenue.

Now that's a little bit uh more research I gotta do, but that's a concern that uh I feel that come July 1st, these businesses may either have to drop some parts of their businesses due to being able to be sued or fear of being sued, and that's gonna be a loss of revenue for the city, and that's a major concern because that loss of revenue is counted on by you guys to be able to do certain things in the city.

And if we have a loss of budget, that means the loss of budget has to be made up by the citizens.

And once again, I don't want to be taxed any more than what I have to.

Um now another issue that came up this time around is the redistricting.

Um, and I'm glad they'll get Thornton is here today because I like to have a uh sit down, whether it be here or over at his new local office here to have a meeting.

Um, because what my concern is is that the way they have been approaching it on how they're trying to sell this redistricting the vote, yes, is is a concern because basically what I feel is it's creating a lot of hatred and discontent towards conservatives, Republicans, and independents.

And I don't like that.

I've been hearing a lot of different things, and it's creating a lot of fights from what I've seen.

And we we need to stop that kind of stuff.

Um, and then there's a couple bills I want to talk with him about, but uh that's not we've I guess it doesn't really involve you guys, but I'll talk with him after this.

But anyhow, I appreciate you guys' time, and like I said, I just wanted to voice my concerns on some of the uh new laws that are coming up.

All right, thank you.

All right, thank you, Mr.

Nott.

Uh and the next speaker is uh David Mangello.

Good evening, City Council Mayor, Vice Mayor.

My name is David Mangello.

I'm a father and a United States Marine Corps veteran and a citizen who still believes in the Constitution.

I stood on the yellow footprints in 1998 and swore an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and that oath did not end when I um in 2002, when I was um ended my active service.

It's something I carry with me today.

And it is and that's why I'm standing here now.

Because inside my own home during an interaction with a city employee, I was told something I never expected to hear in the United States of America that the Constitution does not apply here.

That statement should concern every single person in this room.

Not because my case, but because of what it represents.

If even one government employee believes the Constitution does not apply in their role, then we have a problem that goes far beyond one family.

I'm not here to argue my case.

The courts will handle that.

I'm here to ask a simple question.

What is the city doing to ensure that every employee, especially those with power over families and children, understand that the Constitution always applies?

Because families should not have to wonder whether their rights are being respected.

They should know they should not be sorry, this is not about blame.

This is about accountability.

And more importantly, it's about prevention.

If there are gaps in training, fix them.

If there are gaps in oversight, strengthen them.

If there is confusion about constitutional limits, clarify them.

Because if this happens to me, it can happen to someone else.

Someone who doesn't have the ability to stand here and speak.

Not just in policy, but in practice.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr.

Mangello.

And uh that concludes uh speakers uh who signed up for public comment period.

Uh asked the city manager if she uh would like to address any of the uh comments that we made.

Certainly, I I will start with Miss Weaver.

I I appreciate the suggestions on the leadership academy.

As you know, we have a an academy, and I like the ideas that you presented for adding to it, and so I'm gonna be exploring those with our neighborhood team because I think they were very good ideas.

I do want to make clear, and I did put this in an email to you after the last meeting, but but we had various communications, so perhaps it wasn't obvious.

We do not have a Hampton City Umbudsman any longer.

That was a position that was formerly occupied by Hardy Cash, and when he retired from the city for the second time, that position was eliminated in the budget because of budget challenges we had at the time.

So after you raised last time, you couldn't find um you know who it was and it was on the website.

I asked marketing and communications to remove any reference to that position that might remain on the website because we do not have and do don't even have that position currently available.

Um we do invite people to either call or you know use our 311 app, but if they don't like that, they can call my office and I will assign either myself or one of the ACMs to look into the situation.

So we're basically amongst the assistant city managers and myself handling the umbudsman duties as part of our role.

Um and I just want to thank Mr.

Shepard for coming about the first tea program.

It is indeed a very good program all around for uh inviting young people uh to participate in golf so that folks know what we do.

Uh we don't put money directly into that program, we do give free tea time at the Hamptons uh so that young people can explore the golf program.

Um Mr.

Weaver, I appreciate your ongoing commitment to homelessness issues.

I do want to clarify that we do have some of the resources we talked about last time immediately available.

Uh council made, for instance, the hotel resources, which again are a measure of last resort, a resort.

Some people, if they were to accept the help, could get things like bash vouchers if they're veterans, or if they're a family, they may be able to go to the uh family shelter, or if they're a man who is willing to accept religious-based services, they might be able to go to the peninsula rescue mission.

But realizing that not everyone is willing to accept the different resources that are available, our measure of last resort currently is uh placement in a hotel and with the human services department and the community services board if appropriate, working with the individual.

I can say, although I'm not releasing my budget until the 15th, um, it was very clear in the council polling and the public polling that in more investments for both uh hotel types of funding as well as the transitional permanent supportive housing was a priority, and I can I have no problem saying today those will be in my budget recommendation.

I don't know that that changes your opinion, but I wanted to clarify we do have resources immediately available.

Um I will I will do some research on the questions that Miss Roundy posed.

Um I do want to um acknowledge that I'm not aware of a specific proposal currently pending that would impact source family cemetery, but we have taken steps in our uh community development department that any time something could potentially impact a cemetery.

We are now using extra caution to make sure everything is done, making sure that the states notified, following state procedures, all of that.

But there is nothing in front of me currently on an active development that has been approved.

Um, there may be conversation about someone wanting to do something, but nothing has advanced to that stage yet.

But I will make sure the CDD staff is aware of the concerns that you have about the potential impact to the stores family cemetery.

Um, Mr.

Knopp, not to ignore you, but you raised a lot of bills all at one time, and I wasn't able to keep up with you, so please forgive me for not addressing each of your comments.

And regarding um the child protective service issue, um, I do want to make clear that we, the council, myself, all of our department leaders take the constitution very seriously.

Um, should an employee be mistaken, we will absolutely and address that.

The comment that was made uh at the last meeting was the first time I had heard that, and I have an investigation going on around that situation.

Um, but as you address the actual CPS case is not appropriate for us to discuss here.

Um, and you're represented by an attorney, so that would have to be handled in another matter.

But I did want to go on record so that everyone knows that we expect all of our employees to enforce the constitution, and if they don't enforce the constitution, excuse me, there are actions that would be taken.

I obviously can't disclose personal actions in a public venue.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

Thank you.

Okay, so we have one item uh this evening on the general items, and so I'm gonna ask the uh deputy clerk to uh read the title of that item.

Item 5, 26-0108.

Invitation for bids to qualified natural gas public utility service providers for non-exclusive franchise to construct, maintain, and operate a natural gas system within the public streets and public right-of-way in the city of Hampton for the purpose of providing natural gas public utility services to the citizens of the city.

Okay, city manager.

Yes, thank you.

Virginia Natural Gas, also known by V the acronym VNG, is a natural gas public utility service provider in our state.

They contacted the city and advised that VNG could better serve the citizens of the city by having a franchise to use and occupy public rights away located in the city for the purpose of providing natural gas public utility services.

Pursuant to the Constitution of Virginia and the Virginia Code, the city has the authority to grant such franchises and other authorizations for the use and occupancy of the public right-of-way.

But if the franchise is for a period greater than five years, the city must go through the bid process set forth in the Virginia Code.

Per VNG's request, the city agreed to offer a non-exclusive franchise to qualified providers.

To comply with the Virginia Code, the city publicly invited bids for the non-exclusive franchise, subject to terms and conditions set forth in our ordinance.

The public notice for the invitation for bids for the franchise was run in the daily press once a week for two successive weeks as required by the Virginia Code.

The bids are being received and opened at this council meeting, March 25th, 2026.

And the granting of a franchise to successful qualified bidders or bidder or bidders will occur at the April 8th, 2026 council meeting.

Okay, Madam Deputy Clerk, were any bids received for this franchise, madam?

Yes, sir.

We received one.

Okay, will you please read allow the bid stating who it is from and give a brief summary of it?

It is from Virginia Natural Gas.

Regarding public notice to receive and open bids for a non-exclusive franchise in the city of Hampton for providing natural gas public utility services, sealed bid of natural gas incorporated.

Dear Mayor, dear Mayor and Council members, please accept this one dollar bid from Virginia Natural Gas, Incorporated as response to the advertisement and public notice published in the Daily Press on March 11th, 2026 for a non-exclusive franchise for providing natural gas public utility services to the citizens of the City of Hampton, Virginia.

Public notice.

The proposed franchise, if granted, will allow Virginia Natural Gas the right and privilege to install, maintain, manage, and use of any or all of natural gas system infrastructure it may determine to be necessary and proper for conveying and distributing natural gas to the public for any and all purposes throughout the City of Hampton.

Virginia Natural Gas is a regulated natural gas utility with longstanding operational and engineering expertise and natural gas distribution.

The company plans, builds, operates, and maintains natural gas distribution systems that deliver safe, reliable, and affordable energy to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in its service territory in Southeast Virginia.

The company owns and operates the comprehensive natural gas distribution network that includes transmission, interconnections, gates, gate stations, distribution mains, and service lines, having served the Commonwealth since 1850.

Virginia Natural Gas works closely with the cities and counties on planning economic development and public safety with a strong understanding of local permitting, right of way requirements, and community expectations.

The city is a long-standing part of Virginia Natural Gas' service territories.

Virginia Natural Gas works on works in close coordination with the city to support the energy needs of neighborhoods, commercial areas, and major institutions.

Virginia Natural Gas continues to invest in system modernization to enhance safety, reliability, and resilience for the entire Hampton community.

Accordingly, Virginia Natural Gas is a responsible bidder with the capability in all respects to fully perform the requirements of the natural gas service non-exclusive franchise agreement attached as exhibit one to the draft ordinance referenced in the public notice.

A final version of the franchise agreement is attached to the bid as exhibit one.

Virginia Natural Gas likewise has the moral and business integrity and reliability that it will ensure its good faith performance of the franchise agreement.

Virginia Natural Gas is not currently suspended or debarred from contracting by any Virginia or federal public entity.

In addition, Virginia Natural Gas has demonstrated through its 175-year history of providing natural gas utility services throughout Southeast Virginia, has the necessary facilities, organization, experience, technical skills, and financial resources to fulfill the terms of the franchise agreement.

Finally, if award is made to Virginia Natural Gas, Virginia Natural Gas shall accept the terms of draft franchise agreement without revision, including all terms required by Virginia Code 15.2-2100 as set forth in the franchise agreement.

Virginia Natural Gas shall install, manage and maintain the natural gas infrastructure and the geographic area identified in Exhibit A for a term of five years, with two automatic five-year term renewals, notwithstanding contract termination.

Franchise Agreement 4.1.

Virginia Natural Gas shall offer the services at is at its current tariff rates on file with the Virginia State Corporation Commission.

Franchise Agreement six.

Additionally, prior to the city's grant of these privileges, Virginia Natural Gas shall enter into a bond and the sum of 150,000 with a corporate surety or bank reasonably satisfactory to the city manager and authorized to conduct business in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Condition to the effect that Virginia Natural Gas will construct and maintain the natural gas system infrastructure franchise agreement 8.8 and 8.9.

Thank you for consideration of our sealed bid.

Robert Hazlitt, Jr.

Okay, are there any further bids being offered?

If not, I will declare the bidding closed.

Please be advised that city staff will review all bids which have been received and give their recommendations at a public hearing, which will take place on April 8th, 2026.

Okay, so are there any reports from city managers?

Uh staff, committees.

Okay, there being none.

I do know we have a report uh presentation from City Council members.

Councilwoman Campbell.

Thank you, Mr.

Mayor.

March is women's history month, and since we are making history, I'm calling it women's month.

Councilman Fairby and I will be highlighting women entrepreneurs and leaders in our community that are making history every day.

And I'll begin with the women entrepreneurs of Hampton.

Yep.

Thank you.

So let's start with the numbers.

The statistics for the women-owned businesses in the United States.

Business owners, um, women business owners own approximately 13.3 million businesses and represent 45 percent of all entrepreneurs in the United States.

For job creation, women-owned businesses provide over 10 million jobs.

Economic impact.

Women-owned businesses contribute more than 2.5 trillion annually to the national economy.

As far as growth, women-owned businesses increased by 26% since 2012, outpacing 19% of all overall business growth.

Regarding demographics, women of color represent 45% of women entrepreneurs, and 57% of the women taking steps to start new businesses.

Women are overrepresented in the retail, educational, and health care social assistance industries.

Women entrepreneurs prioritize community impact, such as social mission, 59%, or local causes in their communities of 45%.

These are our shell road businesses.

We have our businesses in Phoebus.

These are just some of the businesses that operate in Hampton today.

The categories include women-owned, minority-owned, veteran-owned, small business, micro-business.

The women-owned businesses are located across the entire city of Hampton.

I personally own my own business, and I've been in business next year will be 20 years.

And uh I am renovate houses, and I will tell you a sledgehammer and a kitchen cabinet are the best anchor management issues uh tools around.

So uh as you walk through all of this, the businesses that we have here, you can see we've got long-term businesses in Phoebus of Palace Jewelers, Roberts Antiques, the Arts Central Gallery.

We have in Buckroom, Milk Creek Tavern, and Summer Freeze, Rising Lotus, U Rock, down up in the Coliseum area, Lick and Lips, Sharp Edge Designs, Hercule Q, Second Chapter Reading, Zuri, Wandering Pages, Stillwater Tavern, Poor Girls, and the Virginia Store, and Central Treats.

And these are just a few of the businesses that we have here in Hampton.

I want to thank uh Mr.

Sledge and his EDA team for helping us put together this list of businesses.

It was quite extensive and um more than I had even thought.

So in the box here, you see these are the standard industries that I mentioned on the earlier slide.

This is the in the box, what most uh women have been starting.

In Hampton, we go far beyond the box.

We have executive positions, accounting bookkeeping, uh, financial management.

We work, um, we have legal investment and cultural with um lawyers and real estate and artists, and our technical and construction experts are out of the box with our um our NASA women as well.

So we have a strong presence far beyond what the standard is.

In summary, for women-owned businesses, the entrepreneurial spirit is thriving in Hampton as we stretch the norm of expectation with the depth and breadth we provide with our industry stancer standards from the seat of the stars.

It's what we do, signed the women entrepreneurs of Hampton.

Thank you.

My fellow councilwomen.

In recognition of Women's History Month, I'm also honored to take a moment to celebrate the incredible women who are shaping our community here in Hampton and across the peninsula.

We're fortunate to live in a region led by phenomenal women, women guiding nonprofit organizations, strengthening local businesses, leading academic institutions, and ensuring critical services reach those who need the most.

Yes, thank you.

At the United Way of the Virginian Peninsula, the president and CEO Charvela West is connecting vital resources to urgent community needs, strengthening nonprofit partners, and advocating for solutions grounded in compassion and understanding.

Next slide, please.

Dr.

Daphne Cunningham, she's executive director of the Hampton Newport News Community Services Board, and she's leading efforts to provide comprehensive services that provide that promote prevention, recovery, and self-determination for individuals and families facing mental health, substance abuse, and developmental challenges.

Through her work, next slide, please, thank you.

Through her work with the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Foundation, Sister David Ann Niski, the executive director of this organization continues the legacy of improving human conditions by supporting nonprofits that serve the poor and disadvantaged across our region.

Next slide, please.

Adversability Resources, the president and CEO Kasha Griskowski.

She is empowering individuals and disability with disabilities to live fulfilling lives as fully included members of our society.

Next, please.

In the financial sector, Alexa Swan, the president for the peninsula in Williamsburg at Town Bank is delivering innovative financial solutions while fostering a culture of belonging and community leadership.

And lastly, in the higher education arena, Dr.

Tawana Porter Brandon, president of Virginia Peninsula Community College, has led with vision and discipline, driving growth, advancing opportunity, and is preparing the next generation of our workforce.

Now these women represent a very the very best of our community as leaders, innovators, and change makers.

And as I did my research, many of them are active on each other's boards, uh, as well as very active in the community in various um regional and community boards.

And again, while I've named only a few this evening, this recognition extends to all women in our community, those in the spotlight and those quietly making a difference every single day.

Um again, it's my pleasure to take this moment of uh personal privilege to talk about uh women during women's history month.

So thank you.

Thank you for that.

Very informative uh we look at the uh that long list of uh women owned business in the city.

So that's great.

And uh so that's worth uh suspending the no clap rule because you all did a great job and presenting some informative information.

So thank you for doing that this evening.

All right.

So with that, um is there any new business?

All right, there'll be new business.

We are adjourned.