Portsmouth City Council Work Session and Regular Meeting - February 25, 2025

The Portsmouth City Council held a work session and regular meeting on February 25, 2025, at 9:30 AM. The meeting included two presentations: the annual real estate reassessment report and a presentation from Communities and Schools of Hampton Roads. The council also considered eight items in the city manager's report, heard public comments, and discussed ongoing city issues.

Presentations

• City Assessor Steve Edwards presented the fiscal year 2025-2026 reassessment. Key points: median home sale price in Portsmouth is now $274,950 (up 3.8% from $265,000 last year); total assessed property value reached $10.9 billion; residential properties account for 93.1% of parcels but only 72% of total value, while commercial (6.9% of parcels) represents 28% of value. Over 75% of homes were built before 1980. 21,975 properties saw increases up to 3%, 37,017 saw 3.1–5% increases, 2,549 saw 5.1–10%, 1,127 saw 10.1–15%, and 250 saw over 15% increases. Only 85 properties decreased. The assessor noted that 65% of city land value is taxable, 35% non-taxable (including government, church, hospital properties). The office is working through a commercial backlog and requested an additional commercial appraiser, which was granted in the proposed budget.
• Communities and Schools of Hampton Roads (Ann Wilbur, Development Director; Dr. Hope Sinclair, Executive Director) described their integrated student support program. They serve 33 schools across Hampton Roads, including 8 in Portsmouth (Manor and Norcom High Schools, Cradock and Waters Middle Schools, and four elementary schools). In the 2023-2024 school year, they provided intensive case management to 555 students in Portsmouth, with 71% improving attendance, 56% improving behavior, 68% improving course performance, and 100% of case-managed seniors graduating on time. They also reached 5,076 students through whole-school supports. The program costs $78,100 per school annually; total investment in Portsmouth is $624,800. Portsmouth Public Schools currently contributes $200,000. They requested the city consider matching that amount, citing a national study that returns $11.60 for every dollar invested. They plan to expand into the Churchland feeder pattern if grant funding is secured.

City Manager's Report

Eight items were presented by City Manager Mr. Carter (seven ordinances, one resolution), all approved 5-0. Items included:

• Acceptance of $1,290 from the Virginia DMV for a dog and cat sterilization program.
• Acceptance of $30,000 from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management for the South Side Regional Hazardous Material Response Team.
• Acceptance of $89,840 in CDBG program income and $24,844 in HOME program income.
• Acceptance of $150,000 and $103,401 from the Virginia Department of Health (via Virginia Resources Authority) for lead service line replacement gap analysis and inventory/sampling plan (converted from loans to grants).
• Acceptance of $599 for Family Preservation and Support Program (DSS) and $50,000 for IV-E foster care funding.
• A resolution authorizing participation in the Virginia Main Street Program as a "Mobilizing Main Street Community."

Public Comments & Testimony

• Donna Biggs (Woodbine Farms) spoke on two agenda items: CDBG/HOME funds (25-63) and the Main Street program (25-68). She questioned how the money was allocated and requested meeting with officials about community engagement and tax burden.
• G.W. Thompson (Virginia Organizing) praised progress on homeless shelter collaboration but urged better communication of warming shelter plans, including use of print media. He noted the shelter capacity increased from 20 to 27, a pickup point was established, and a hotline created.
• Aaron Cody (2908 Tanbark Lane) advocated for ranked-choice voting, explaining it as an instant runoff that can produce majority winners. He argued it does not violate one-person-one-vote and noted that in recent council elections, no candidate won a majority.
• Yvonne Dotson (Park Manor) described witnessing a shooting near her church on Sunday, February 23, 2025. She called for citizen and council action to reduce gun violence and literacy programs, citing Chain Breakers organization and volunteering.
• Darlene Sparks Washington (Portsmouth Volunteers for the Homeless) thanked the city for partnership during the snowstorm sheltering and announced the rescheduled "Coldest Night of the Year" walk for March 1, 2025. She noted 48 teams registered so far.
• Coleman Young praised new council members, suggested employee recognition programs, and criticized the performance of the Portsmouth Pavilion management (IMG), noting only 5 events scheduled for the warm season vs. 18 at the Virginia Beach Dome. He questioned the $250,000 fee to IMG and return on investment.
• Sergi O'Neill (1420 M Avenue) thanked the city for snow removal and Councilman Tillers for attention to the Apprentice Park neighborhood. He called for greater accountability and community involvement to address youth violence, noting two shootings in less than 24 hours on February 23, with victims and perpetrators under 30.
• Vic Nichols requested a lit disabled ramp at City Hall, better lighting on Victory Boulevard, moving closed session to after the meeting, and renewed concerns about concealed carry fees. He urged focus on literacy and hope for youth.
• Merle Rutledge proposed a dinner program after school to improve learning and crime prevention, and a resolution to address water access rights, encouraging bold leadership.

Discussion Items

• Councilman Hugo requested the assessor provide a comparison of typical home values and property tax burdens across Hampton Roads cities, and comparison of residential value increases in neighboring cities. He also asked about the commercial backlog. The assessor noted they have two commercial appraisers now, with a third coming in July, and have physically inspected about 40% of commercial properties.
• Vice Mayor Moody asked about the casino's classification (unclassified) and the percentage of commercial IN&E forms received (33.8% this year, up from under 10% last year). He expressed concern about missing assessments from low response rates.
• Councilwoman Thomas asked about predictive analysis for trends and AI-driven assessment tools. The assessor said they are reactive, not predictive. Regarding AI, he noted past change-detection technology was expensive and ineffective.
• The council discussed the health of the city's tax base, with Councilwoman Thomas noting that less than 1% of residential values are over $500,000 (national avg. 17%). The assessor confirmed land value differences drive price disparities with Chesapeake.
• The Communities and Schools presentation was well-received. Councilwoman Brent asked about staff qualifications and long-term relationships with graduates. Dr. Sinclair noted they recently hired an alumna as a site coordinator. Councilman Hugo asked about the capacity to serve all students; staff said they turn no one away but capacity limits case management to about 63 per site coordinator. Councilman Dodson explicitly asked if the city was being asked for money; Ms. Wilbur said yes, requesting the city match the school board's $200,000 contribution.
• Councilwoman Thomas provided an update: Dominion Energy is 44% complete with citywide LED streetlight upgrades, expected to finish by end of 2025, followed by evaluation of lighting gaps.
• Councilman Hugo gave liaison reports for the Portsmouth Parking Authority (discussed parking concerns from 600 block High Street, design for County Street garage, and need for temporary parking solutions during downtown development) and the Portsmouth Port and Industrial Commission (reported that only 240 of about 10,000 employees at Norfolk Naval Shipyard took the federal buyout offer, limiting impact).
• The council entered closed session to discuss legal matters regarding the Port of Virginia and recent shootings.

Key Outcomes

• All eight city manager report items (ordinances and resolution) were adopted by a vote of 5-0.
• A resolution confirming a local emergency due to the snowstorm was adopted 5-0.
• The council approved the minutes of called meetings on February 10 and 11, 2025, and a regular meeting on February 11, 2025.
• The assessor committed to providing requested comparison data for council.
• The Communities and Schools organization will provide comparison data on other localities' contributions.
• The City Council retreat was announced for March 7-8, 2025, at the Newport News Conference Center. No council meeting on March 11.
• The council acknowledged the appointment of Ms. Graham Williams to a judgeship.
• The city attorney announced a dedication ceremony for special assistant city attorney Robert Marriage on February 26 at 3 PM at the Main Branch Public Library law library.