Portsmouth City Council Meeting - July 22, 2025

The Portsmouth City Council convened on July 22, 2025 for a regularly scheduled meeting. The council addressed use permit extensions, a funding request for senior housing, collective bargaining preparations, and several administrative items. Public comments focused on ranked-choice voting, business community outreach, code enforcement concerns, and city maintenance issues.

Consent Calendar

• Item 25-212: Ordinance accepting $9,248 in Family Preservation and Support Program funding from the Virginia Department of Social Services for FY 2026 Social Services Fund. Adopted 7-0.
• Item 25-213: Ordinance accepting a $30,663 Brine Justice Assistance Grant from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, appropriating funds in the FY 2026 grants fund, and transferring $10,221 from the asset forfeiture fund for police equipment. Adopted 7-0.
• Item 25-214: Ordinance accepting $26,700 in Home Investment Partnership Program income for the FY 2026 Community Planning and Development Program. Adopted 7-0.
• Item 25-215: Ordinance accepting $42,064.08 in Center Care's grant funds from Tidewater Emergency Medical Services Council Inc. for the Fire Rescue Emergency Services category of the FY 2026 general fund budget. Adopted 7-0.
• Item 25-216: Reappointments to various boards and commissions, including Dr. Darlene Washington to the Behavioral Health Care Services Advisory Board, Benjamin Foster and Ursula Murphy to the Clean Community Commission, Judge Brian Meals to the Community Criminal Justice Board, Shirley Edwards to the Community Policy and Management Team, Stephanie L. Elliot Williams, Courtney Skinner, and Shonda Taylor to the Newport Development Authority, Dr. Jacqueline Walker to the Southeastern Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program, and new appointment Patrick Whalen to the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority. Adopted 7-0.
• Item 25-137 (Unfinished Business): Use permit request (UP 2503) for an entertainment establishment at 2012 Victory Boulevard/4806 George Washington Highway was deferred to the August 26, 2025 meeting. Adopted 7-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Aaron Cody (2908 Tam Bark Lane): Spoke in favor of ranked-choice voting, rebutting criticisms that voters cannot handle change, that implementation costs too much, and that results take too long. He noted that ranked-choice voting is used in one state for statewide elections, one state for federal elections, five states for primary elections, six states for military and overseas voters, and more than 50 localities, including Arlington and Charlottesville. He argued that change is not a valid reason to avoid adopting a better voting method.
• Rachel Copeland (business owner, Cooper's restaurant at 3112 High Street): Provided an update on her business, which transitioned from a bar/lounge to a God-and-family-centered restaurant with no liquor. She described community outreach programs including Project Phoenix (Christian-based drug/alcohol support group every Monday night at 7 p.m.), monthly movie nights ($5 admission), and a "Feed the Children" program providing free meals to children. She criticized high tolls for business owners and high taxes, and requested more support for businesses doing community work. Councilman Dodson praised her fried chicken. Councilman Tillage noted toll relief is a General Assembly matter.
• David House (PO Box 302, Portsmouth): Detailed a double standard in code enforcement regarding weeds. He submitted C Click Fix tickets citing city code 23-26 for properties on Bainbridge Avenue, but inspectors confirmed the lawn did not exceed 10 inches, ignoring the presence of weeds. He argued four separate codes prohibit weed growth and criticized inspectors for not enforcing the code consistently.
• Daniel House (114 Gilles Road): Raised concerns about a vacant structure at 53 Afton Parkway (old Bank of Craddock building), vacant since 2012. He submitted FOIA requests showing the case was closed because second-floor windows did not require boarding, which he argued violates city code 17-13 requiring all openings closed/locked. He also cited inconsistent responses from C Click Fix and inspectors who close cases without proper code enforcement. Councilman Tillage stated C Click Fix is not broken, but Councilman Hugo acknowledged enforcement issues. City Manager Carter committed to setting up a meeting with the House brothers.
• Sheila Joseph (139 Grand Street): Addressed tree overhangs and city code enforcement, stating that city inspectors do not address issues on city property (right-of-ways, gas lines, water meters, telephone poles) but fine residents $150 for cutting grass on those same areas. She urged citizens to let the city handle such maintenance.

Discussion Items

• Use Permit Extensions (Greenwood Drive and High Street): Dr. Ronda Russell presented two requests for one-year extensions of use permits that had expired. Use permit 2103 (Greenwood Drive) for a 28-unit multi-family development was approved in April 2021 but has not progressed beyond site plan review due to COVID-19, supply chain disruptions, inflation, labor shortages, and rising costs. Use permit 2305 (High Street) is a 52-unit townhouse development where the erosion and sediment control permit has been approved and construction has begun ("dirt is moving"), but a building footing/foundation has not been completed. The city ordinance requires a completed footing. Both extensions will be on the August 26, 2025 agenda for action.
• Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority (PRHA) Funding Request: Alisa Winston, Executive Director of PRHA, and Andre Blakely requested $1.2 million that was previously committed by council in 2023 via consensus but never formally approved. The funds are needed by October 2025 to pay off a bridge loan for the Lexington Senior project (105 units, 62+ age-restricted), which is 75% complete and expected to finish in October 2025. City Manager Carter noted the funding was not in the current budget and that formal action is required. Councilman Hugo asked for a consensus to add the item to the August meeting agenda for a vote. The council reached consensus unanimously to place the item on the August 26, 2025 agenda for formal consideration. Councilman Hugo apologized for the oversight. A second phase of 82 senior units is planned later this year.
• Collective Bargaining Update: The city manager provided a refresher on the collective bargaining process, noting that in 2020 the Virginia General Assembly authorized local municipalities to engage in collective bargaining. The Portsmouth City Council adopted a resolution on September 23, 2020, and passed the enabling ordinance on November 14, 2023 (4-2 vote). The presentation set the stage for a closed session to discuss the draft ordinance and next steps. No other Hampton Roads municipality has adopted collective bargaining; all are watching Portsmouth. The closed session was held under Virginia Code sections 2.2-3711(A)(8) (legal consultation) and 2.2-3711(A)(1) (appointments).
• Council Member Reports:
  • Councilman Hugle congratulated Portsmouth Public Schools and teachers for the AirQuest summer camp on air quality, and recognized Portsmouth Police Officer Khalid Scarborough for receiving the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Valor Award for confronting an armed individual.
  • Councilwoman Bryant congratulated three Portsmouth students (Nylah Davis, Paige Marble, Ayana Marble) who were state winners in the "What Home Means to Me" poster contest, and thanked Social Services for a successful community day.
  • Councilman Dodson reported a moving vehicle accident on the West Norfolk Bridge due to debris and reiterated concern about uncovered garbage trucks violating state law, requesting information on when covers can be fixed.
  • Councilwoman Thomas thanked the city manager for guidelines on vacant structures, encouraged use of C Click Fix, and announced the next "Rock the Block" event on September 17 in West Haven.
  • Councilman Tillage praised C Click Fix, reporting that five issues he reported were fixed within 24 hours.
  • Mayor Clever acknowledged the passing of Dr. Richard Singletary, owner of Singletary Gallery (African art museum), music instructor, and educator.
• City Manager's Report:
  • A gas leak occurred at Columbus and Jefferson, caused by a third-party contractor hitting a gas line. About five homes were evacuated; the situation was resolved without incident.
  • Use permit language will be provided to council at least two weeks before the August 26 meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Use permit extensions: Both extensions (Greenwood Drive and High Street) will be considered for action at the August 26, 2025 meeting.
• PRHA funding request: Council reached unanimous consensus to place the $1.2 million funding request on the August 26 agenda for a formal vote.
• Collective bargaining: Closed session held; further discussion and a draft ordinance are pending.
• Code enforcement: City manager committed to setting up a meeting with the House brothers and noted that enforcement task force work will include reviewing the examples raised.