Hampton City Council Legislative Session and FY27 Budget Adoption – May 14, 2026

Note on date discrepancy: The official meeting minutes list the date as Wednesday, May 13, 2026, but the user-provided meeting time indicates May 14, 2026. This summary uses the user-provided date for the title; the discrepancy is noted here.

The City Council held a legislative session to finalize the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, approve several land-use permits, and hear public comments on neighborhood issues. Councilman Bowman was excused; all other six members were present. The meeting began at 6:30 PM and adjourned at 8:42 PM.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (6-0) a consent agenda that included:
  • Initiating amendments to the Zoning Ordinance regarding amusement centers and physical recreation facilities.
  • Vacating a permanent easement at 120 Saunders Road for S4K Construction LLC.
  • Amending Chapter 2 of the City Code for design-build and construction management contracting procedures.
  • Approving guidelines for selection, evaluation, and award of design-build and construction management contracts.
  • Authorizing the use of design-build for the Mellen Street Gravity Sewer Replacement Project.
  • Authorizing the use of construction manager at risk for a sanitary sewer force main replacement project (Aberdeen Road).

Presentations, Proclamations, Awards

• Mayor Gray presented proclamations recognizing: the 100th Anniversary of the Women's Club of Hampton, Lupus Awareness Month, Fibromyalgia Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, and Public Works Week.
• Earlier in May, proclamations were also issued for National Police Week, Nurses Week, and Hampton Bike Month.

Public Hearings

Item 7 – FY2026-2027 CDBG and HOME Annual Action Plan

• Community Engagement Division Manager Travis Rash presented the plan. The total HUD allocation is approximately $1.4 million, with $904,961 for CDBG and $484,876 for HOME. The plan outlines spending on housing services, programs, administration, and code enforcement.
• Councilwoman Harper asked about the potential elimination of these federal programs by HUD’s secretary. Mr. Rash noted that conversations began in 2025, but allocations did not change between 2025 and 2026; replacement would require long-term effort. The plan was approved 6-0.

Items 8 & 9 – Rezoning and Use Permit for 4218 Victoria Blvd (Adrian Mora)

• Senior Planner James Randolph presented. The applicant seeks to rezone 0.09 acres from C-1 (Neighborhood Commercial) to MD-4 (Multifamily Residential) to create four one-bedroom apartments in an existing building. Proffered conditions address setbacks, building elevations, and landscaping; use permit conditions include site plan and permits. A community meeting had one attendee opposed due to parking. Staff and Planning Commission recommended approval. The applicant, Adrian Mora, expressed commitment and noted $50,000 already invested. The public hearing had no other speakers. Approved 6-0 with seven proffered conditions and six use permit conditions.

Item 10 – Use Permit for West End Baptist Church Daycare (2413 Shell Road)

• Planner Quinn Heinrich presented. The church proposes a daycare for 18 children initially (ages 2.5–5), potentially expanding to 36 children. The facility will use existing parking (62 spaces) and include an outdoor playground. Staff recommended 11 conditions. A community meeting on March 17 had 44 attendees; five spoke in support, none opposed. Executive Pastor Vernissa Thomas spoke in support, noting the church’s 135-year history and past community investments. Several public speakers supported the daycare: Donna Oney (fire inspector) emphasized safety; Jamar Lassiter highlighted community benefit; Shonda Moss (nurse case manager) cited 70% of employers struggling with childcare; Deondra Williams (mother and mental health professional) described the regional childcare crisis. Mayor Gray praised the church’s initiative. Approved 6-0 with 11 conditions.

Item 11 – Use Permit for Hampton’s Beauty Academy (15 S. Hope Street)

• Planner Valerie Taylor presented. The applicant, Chrissy Michelle, proposes a private beauty school on the second floor of an existing building in the Phoebus PH-2 district. The school will have a 500 sq ft classroom, up to 10 students, and two employees; it will not operate simultaneously with the existing day spa. Staff recommended eight conditions. A community meeting had eight attendees, none opposed. The applicant described her vision for accessible beauty education and wellness services. Approved 6-0 with eight conditions.

Item 12 – Landfill Lease Agreement (Bethel Landfill)

• City Manager Mary Bunting explained that the existing 1986 lease with Waste Management (USA Waste of Virginia Landfills, Inc.) will expire on May 29, 2026. A short-term one-year lease (with four one-year renewal options) is proposed to maintain operations while long-term options are evaluated. Enhancements include monthly operational reports, annual audit rights, and a requirement to send 100 tons/day of commercial waste to the Hampton NASA Steam Plant. No public speakers. Approved 6-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cherrylisa and Aaron Burke (residents near Pharaoh’s Hookah Bar & Lounge) reported severe disturbances: property damage, blocked driveways, drunk drivers, litter, noise, and safety concerns. They requested permit parking and stricter enforcement. Aaron Burke noted he had intervened in fights and possible murders. Wanda Mitchell, a 34-year resident, echoed concerns about disruptive behavior and trash.
• Riaaz Miller questioned fairness of the city’s trailer parking ordinance, having received a tow notice for his properly registered trailer parked on the street. He asked for a grace period or permits for residential trailer parking.
• Jerry Ealy requested a lower tax rate, arguing that exemptions unfairly burden paying residents.
• Leo Kudel described trash and illegal dumping near his home, with “No Trespassing” signs torn down.
• Payton Jackson delivered a broad critique of taxation and government spending.
• Lucas Aldridge, Toren Haney, and Martez Gurley spoke in support of the Clean Hands Initiative, a workforce development program for formerly incarcerated individuals. Martez Gurley, founder, reported that out of eight participants, seven remain employed with no probation violations. The program focuses on stabilization before employment and aims to reduce violations and increase employment by 30%. He invited council to a May 29 graduation.
• David Mongillo requested transparency in internal employee conduct reviews and a clear process for citizens to raise concerns about misuse of authority.
• Aaron Weaver thanked Habitat for Humanity for a recent community blitz, questioned the city’s temporary homeless ordinance (citing a 20-call drop from 1,024 to 1,004), asked about portable toilets in homeless hotspots, and inquired about funds set aside for collective bargaining given the governor’s reported intention to veto the bill.
• Charles Brown (East End Coalition) thanked the city for $4 million for coastal resiliency, but noted air quality concerns related to the landfill.
• Earl Miller updated progress at Briarfield Tennis Courts (new benches, new equipment, temporary lighting), but reported persistent issues with non-tennis activities (dog walking, harassment, anime battle groups) and called for signage to enable police enforcement.

City Manager Responses:

• Pharaoh’s Hookah Bar: Community Development Director Kim Mikel and Master Patrol Officer Eric Rausch were unaware of the complaints; staff will follow up with residents to address the issues immediately.
• Trailer parking: The ordinance was created to address safety concerns from large vehicles; staff will consider revisiting it with the Neighborhood Commission.
• Tax rate: The city lowered the rate 10 cents over four years, but this year could not due to weaker assessment growth and needed salary increases for police, fire, and public works. Councilwoman Campbell voted no on tax/fee ordinances for that reason.
• Trash dumping: Staff will address the area identified by Mr. Kudel.
• Clean Hands Initiative: Ms. Bunting praised the program and noted it may be funded through a Safer Grant if awarded; she will attend the graduation.
• Internal reviews: Processes are not shared publicly for legal reasons; offered to discuss with Mr. Mongillo separately.
• Collective bargaining: No funds were budgeted for this cycle; implementation would begin in FY2028 if the bill survives. Staff will still explore options.
• Homeless sanitation: The city will explore portable toilets in hotspots, noting challenges with vandalism.
• Briarfield Tennis Courts: Parts for lights are on order; full updates expected end of year. Contractor will repair cracks on May 19-20. Signage will be considered with police.

Discussion Items

• Final Approval of FY27 Manager’s Recommended Budget:
  • The city manager presented the budget package. Items 13–19 (Tax and Fee Ordinances) and items 20–36 (Appropriation Ordinances) were voted on in two blocks.
  • Councilwoman Campbell voted no on both blocks, expressing desire for a lower tax rate.
  • Tax and Fee Ordinances (items 13–19) passed 5-1 (Campbell nay). These include: blighted property classification, service district taxes, real estate tax rates, tangible personal property tax rates, sewer use charges, stormwater management charges, and solid waste fees.
  • Appropriation Ordinances (items 20–36) passed 5-1 (Campbell nay). These adopt budgets for all city funds including General Fund, Capital Budget, Coliseum/Arts/Aquaplex, Convention Center, golf courses, fleet services, IT, risk management, solid waste, steam plant, stormwater, wastewater, CDBG/HOME, economic development, and grant fund.
• Appointments: Jondahlyn Holston (representing Transitions Family Violence Services) and Angelique Shenk (City Manager’s designee) were appointed to the Community Policy and Management Team (CPMT) by a 6-0 vote.

Key Outcomes

• Approved (6-0): Consent Agenda, CDBG/HOME Annual Action Plan, Rezoning and Use Permit for 4218 Victoria Blvd, Use Permit for West End Baptist Church Daycare, Use Permit for Hampton’s Beauty Academy, Landfill Lease Agreement with USA Waste, and appointments to CPMT.
• Approved (5-1): All tax and fee ordinances (items 13–19) and appropriation ordinances (items 20–36). Councilwoman Campbell dissented on tax rate.
• Staff commitments: Follow-up on Pharaoh’s Hookah Bar complaints; possible revisit of trailer parking ordinance; exploration of homeless sanitation solutions; repairs and signage at Briarfield Tennis Courts; continued support for Clean Hands Initiative.
• Next steps: The FY27 budget is now adopted effective July 1, 2026. The city will submit the CDBG/HOME Action Plan to HUD by May 15. The landfill lease begins upon execution.