Hampton City Council Legislative Session — June 10, 2026

The Hampton City Council met for a legislative session on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at 6:30 PM in Council Chambers. Mayor Jimmy Gray presided with all seven council members present. The meeting covered consent items, proclamations, public hearings on a use permit, zoning amendments, a telecommunications franchise, and council salary adjustments, followed by public comment on multiple community issues and a series of board and commission appointments.

Consent Calendar

• Items 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 were approved unanimously (7–0) as a consent agenda. The items included:
  • Resolution to amend the FY26 budget to accept increased VDOT Urban Maintenance Program allocation.
  • Resolution to amend the FY26 budget to accept $3,100,000 in public assistance state and federal revenues for Human Services.
  • Resolution endorsing Round Seven SMART SCALE projects (pedestrian improvements on Briarfield Road and Power Plant Parkway, and a pedestrian bridge between Kilgore Avenue and Coliseum Drive).
  • Resolution renaming portions of Butler Farm Road and Thomas Nelson Drive to College Drive (final step for the college name change to Virginia Peninsula Community College).
  • Ordinance amending City Code to authorize criminal history checks for volunteers and mirror state code provisions.
  • Approval of minutes from the April 22, 2026 work session.
• Item 2 (the encroachment agreement for 25 Charles Street) was pulled from the consent agenda and considered later under General Items.

Presentations, Proclamations, and Awards

• Mayor Gray read proclamations for Men's Health Week (June 15–21, 2026), Juneteenth (June 19, 2026), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day (June 27, 2026). Proclamations were presented to Gabe Diaz (Unity Office) for Juneteenth and to Vivian Austin (Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities) for PTSD Awareness Day.
• Mayor Gray recognized Victoria Martin, Arts Education Teacher at Captain John Smith Elementary School, and students for creating a mural from approximately 10,000 plastic bottle caps. The mural depicts the school's shark mascot and marine life.
• Mayor Gray recognized John Campbell and Mike Riley as team leaders, and seven Airmen from Joint Base Langley-Eustis (Airman First Class Trenton Harbour, Senior Airman Diana Hernandez Molina, Airman First Class Angel Mondragon, Airman Nabila Muna, Senior Airman Cameron Rogers, Airman First Class Caleb Rosales, Airman Brandon Vargas, Airman First Class Miroslava Osorio) for their volunteer work during the May 4, 2026 Habitat for Humanity Joint-City Home Repair Blitz, which repaired 12 homes.

Public Hearings

• Use Permit 26-0154 (Vehicle Repair, Heavy at 611 Copeland Drive): Senior City Planner James Randolph presented the application by Delwyn Cosby to establish a Mako Auto Body franchise in an existing 11,900 sq ft building on 0.743 acres in the Copeland Industrial Park. The use would create 6–11 new jobs and include paint booth capabilities for vehicles, boats, and other items. A community meeting on May 2, 2026 had no attendees. No one signed up to speak at the public hearing. Council approved the use permit (7–0) with seven conditions, including a 30-day limit on vehicles, prohibition of vehicle storage, and screening of the outdoor parking/servicing area.
• Zoning Ordinance Amendment 26-0146 (Amusements & Physical Recreation): Chief Planner Donald Whipple presented amendments to modernize definitions for amusement centers, skill-based devices, off-track horse race betting facilities, and physical recreation facilities. Key changes: replace “coin-operated amusement” with “amusement devices,” allow up to 20% floor area for accessory devices, add off-track betting as a separate use with a use permit requirement in C2 Coliseum Central Overlay District, and clarify physical recreation facilities to include mini-golf, pickleball, and basketball courts. No speakers signed up. Council approved the amendment (7–0).
• Franchise Agreement 26-0192 (Lumos Telephone LLC): City Manager Mary Bunting presented a non‑exclusive five‑year franchise for Lumos to install fiber and telecommunications facilities in public rights‑of‑way. Lumos must restore streets to drivable condition. Marissa Okes (Lumos) spoke but had no questions. Council approved (7–0).
• Council Salary Ordinance 26-0212: City Manager Bunting introduced a one‑time 4% cost‑of‑living increase for mayor and council members (to $48,880 for mayor and $44,720 for council members), effective July 1, 2027. The increase mirrors the COLA approved for the general workforce in the FY2027 budget. No speakers signed up. Council approved (7–0) after discussion about the need to keep salaries competitive for future candidates.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Linda Seely expressed strong support for animal welfare, praised senior animal control officer Leslie Brazil, and urged that the regional animal shelter never turn away animals. She advocated for spay/neuter programs.
• June Sullivan expressed concerns about lack of transparency regarding feral cat colonies, reporting that a colony was established in her neighborhood without resident notification. She asked for policies on notification, colony management, and complaint handling.
• Chris Bowman commended the City’s infill housing plan and recommended building to LEED Gold and Category 3 wind load standards. He also questioned school zone camera revenue, citing a Daily Press article reporting $1.4 million from three school zones. He suggested the revenue could be used to lower property taxes and increase salaries for police, fire, rescue, 911/311 staff, and teachers.
• Joan Weaver criticized the city council for lack of accountability and responsiveness, especially regarding code enforcement complaints and tax assessment issues. She demanded a formal complaint process and called on council to “do your job.”
• Aaron Burke and Cherrylisa Burke spoke about ongoing disruptions from Farrell’s Hookah Bar near their home on a dead‑end street. They reported noise, trash, public urination, property damage, and safety concerns for children and elderly neighbors. Aaron Burke requested either closure of the business or creation of a resident‑only parking zone. Cherrylisa Burke stated that her children’s safety is her primary concern and that city contacts (including Officer Roush and Katie McHale) were unhelpful.
• City Manager Response: Mary Bunting addressed each speaker. For Ms. Weaver, she clarified that council hires only the city manager, city attorney, and clerk; the tax assessor is certified and independent in methodology. She encouraged citizens to use the 311 system or contact her office directly for unresolved complaints. For the Burkes, she stated that public streets are public but that staff would investigate making their street a resident‑only parking zone (subject to state code criteria) and that she had texted staff to begin research. She noted the city is aware of Farrell’s and is in conversations with the business. For Mr. Bowman, she corrected that total school zone camera revenue citywide is approximately $2 million, not $12.7 million, and that state law now requires such funds to be used for pedestrian safety projects. She acknowledged the infill housing recommendations. For animal concerns, she outlined the city’s managed cat colony program, noted staffing shortages, and committed to improving neighborhood notification when colonies are registered.

Discussion Items

• Encroachment Agreement (Item 2, 26-0196): City Manager Bunting introduced the item. The Crockett family at 25 Charles Street installed a privacy fence and landscaping encroaching into the city’s right‑of‑way along Sunset Road East, without a license, to mitigate traffic from adjacent Vulcan business. Staff and utilities reviewed the encroachment and recommend approval of two areas (62 sq ft for fence, 1,265 sq ft for landscaping) after relocating some plants. Councilwoman Campbell moved to defer to August 12, 2026 to allow more time to work with Vulcan on dust issues. The motion lacked a second. Council then voted 6–1 (Campbell nay) to approve the encroachment agreement as presented.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous approvals (7–0): Consent agenda (items 1,3,4,5,6,7); Use Permit 26-0154; Zoning Ordinance Amendment 26-0146; Franchise Agreement 26-0192; Council Salary Ordinance 26-0212; all appointments listed below; and motion to defer the Animal Response Team appointment.
• Encroachment agreement (Item 2) approved 6–1 (Councilmember Campbell dissenting).
• Appointments approved (all 7–0 unless noted):
  • Virginia Peninsula Community College Board of Trustees: Melvin Ferebee (first full term until June 30, 2030). Councilmember Ferebee abstained from discussion and vote.
  • Hampton Animal Response Team Advisory Committee: Deferred to July 8, 2026.
  • Citizens Police Advisory Group: Anthony Sandifuer reappointed (second term until June 30, 2030); Grady McLean III and Darius Copeland appointed (first terms expiring June 30, 2030) as business community representatives.
  • Hampton Economic Development Authority: Robert Shuford appointed (unexpired portion until March 31, 2030).
  • Neighborhood Commission: Brenda Cole (District 4, until June 30, 2027); Caroline Peabody (Business Representative, until December 31, 2026); Jason Mitchell (City Manager’s Representative).
  • Senior Citizen Advisory Committee: Dr. Edward Eule (unexpired portion until May 30, 2029); Robert Guerin (unexpired portion until March 20, 2030).
  • Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board: Karen Bowden reappointed (third term until June 30, 2030).
  • Grievance Board: Caroline Peabody (first term until June 30, 2030); Shelley Lawrence (partial term ending June 30, 2029).
  • Peninsula Alcohol Safety Action Program Advisory Board: Tramaine Brown reappointed (first full term until June 30, 2030).
  • Hampton Commission on the Arts: Richard C. Press (first term until June 30, 2030); Jason Mitchell (City Manager’s Representative).
  • Peninsula Airport Commission: Jay Joseph reappointed (four‑year term expiring June 30, 2029).
• Next Steps: Staff will research resident‑only parking for the Burkes’ street; continue conversations with Farrell’s Hookah Bar; improve neighborhood notification for registered cat colonies; and use school zone camera revenue for pedestrian safety projects.