Miss Bryant, presentation.

Miss Thomas, Mr.

Tillich.

Here.

And Mary Glavery is a second.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Yes, sir.

And like to welcome everyone to our five o'clock work session.

Actually, our five oh five work session.

Okay, exactly.

Good afternoon.

Thank you, Vice Mayor.

Uh members of council.

And the first one will be from Anna McCray, who's our Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator.

And she'll be speaking about the basic emergency operation plan.

And then the second will be from uh Dr.

Russell, our director of planning, who uh will speak on zoning changes for the innovation district with late.

Um ready?

Yes, sir.

Come on down, as Bob Barker used to say.

Coleman, and other distinguished members.

I'll start off by first saying I would love to come talk to you at some point when it's sunny outside and not about hurricanes and disaster preparedness.

But I did just pull the 5 p.m.

briefing for Hurricane Melissa as she's impacting Jamaica and wanted to share her center is emerging from the northern coast of western Jamaica.

She's still a category four storm, but she has started that forward motion now.

So she's moving along at a clipping eight miles an hour, which is better than the three miles an hour she was moving this morning when she made landfall.

She's a compact storm, but you know, her hurricane force winds extend about 30 miles out from the center of the storm.

So all of Jamaica won't see those huge hurricane wind impacts, but the tropical storm winds do extend close to 195 miles out.

So the uh the the country will take a pretty decent uh hit.

There's uh 12 to 24 inches of rain expected with that storm, 30 inches or more in the mountains of Jamaica.

And the storm surge as the storm moves towards Cuba is expected to approach 12 feet.

So she still will be a very uh intense storm and have uh catastrophic damage as she continues her way towards the Bahamas and eventually towards Bermuda and then off to the North Atlantic on a much quicker pace tomorrow.

So certainly are sending our thoughts and prayers and put picking up lessons learned from the uh the country of Jamaica as they work through this.

That being said, uh, thank you for the opportunity to come speak to you tonight about our city's basic emergency operations plan.

If this is on your agenda for consideration at your next meeting, what the basic emergency operations plan covers is general guidance for city departments and agencies, all of our external stakeholders, other internal stakeholders to help us better prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the damages from various threats and hazards.

We are required by state code to under uh section 44-146.19, letter E, which outlines the authorities of the localities to have a basic emergency operations plan that is adopted by the local council.

This plan has to be adopted every four years.

We review it annually and make updates as we work incidents and have incidents occur.

But it will come to you all for adoption every four years.

The plan overall is made up of four volumes, and the one volume that you'll be looking at to for your approval is the basic emergency operations plan.

This is written from an all-hazards perspective and is designed to guide all of the city agencies through what their roles are when we have a large-scale incidents.

We'll have minor changes uh throughout the course of time, but it again will only come to you every four years for adoption unless there are major or significant changes that we need to make to the document.

Some of the uh sections of the emergency operations plan are outlined, and you have a copy of our operational summary for a senior leadership that go a little bit more uh in depth on what these individual pieces are.

But with the introduction, that's just simply the table of contents, the uh the information about community lifelines, uh, samples of the uh declaration process, resources that we would want to have at the go and ready for for you all.

The purpose section outlines the uh overall objectives of the emergency operations plan, what the scope is, population demographics, and other basic information and limitations of the plan.

Our concept of operations goes over the overall intention of the entirety of the emergency operations plan, uh, what should happen, who should do it, when it should happen, who provides direction.

The direction organization and coordination section talks about how we set up emergency management in the city of Portsmouth and how we coordinate with all of the stakeholders to include our community members.

Assignment of responsibility provides an overview of the key organizations that are tied into our emergency operations plan, what they need to do on blue sky days, and how they need to activate and how they need to react to incidents as we have them occur.

The plan development and maintenance section of the plan talks about our planning process, how we adopt a whole community perspective and desire input and feedback from all of our constituents and stakeholders, and talks about uh who is responsible for maintaining the plan, training to the plan, and exercising the plan.

And then we provide a list of authorities and references, which covers everything from local ordinance to FEMA FEMA direction of you know Stafford Act and things like that.

Just for your general knowledge, the other three volumes are designed to help us walk through response recovery and get into mitigation efforts.

So volume two with our functional annexes, look at community lifelines.

So these are designed to be the eight core functions that FEMA says should be green in order for a community to function and support its constituents.

So we want to make sure that we're looking at these 18 common functions, identify the city agencies that are responsible for these functions, make sure that we can share information back and forth, and uh support decision making.

This is a flexible living document, so it doesn't come to you all for approval, but it's certainly open for questions and you know for us to provide you additional information.

With volume three with the hazard specific annexes, we use a process called the threat hazard identification risk analysis or the thyra, which looks at hazards and events through a terrorism lens.

We align those to our general hazard vulnerability assessments, which looks at any kind of natural hazard, and uh helps us assess gaps, assign resources to support planning, equipment training, and exercise needs, and helps us build context into these types of events.

You can see here these are some of the outputs for our thyra, where on a probability perspective, our most likely event to happen since 1667, which was the earliest hurricane record I could find is hurricanes.

All the way through the bottom of the list here is the number of times these these hazards have actually happened.

So a lot of people may think hurricanes are our number one thing that we have to worry about when in fact it's actually just your general run-of-the-mill thunderstorm and lightning and hail and general flooding.

So this helps us point planning resources, identify training priorities, and develop exercises to check and see that we are ready to respond.

The fourth volume is all of our supporting plans and resources.

So this is a continuation of that FIRA and HBA process where we focus on capacity building and identifying partners who can step in and help with different pieces.

So, for example, we have a catastrophic event evacuation plan.

Within that, we have plans to help pets.

Within that, we have plans to think about exotic animals.

So it's designed to identify stakeholders and other partners that can help the city meet its objectives.

Again, this is these are flexible living documents that don't come to council for approval, but they're certainly open for you all to take a look at and ask us questions on.

So, in summary, the plan that you'll be voting on at your next meeting focuses on that general guidance to support coordination and collaboration for city departments.

It's not meant to take over and direct necessarily what our departments are so good at doing on a daily basis.

Instead, it's designed to outline how we can collaborate and coordinate resources together to help us be ready, respond, recover, and mitigate impacts.

Hopefully, it'll be four years before we come back and talk about this again.

Um, but it is a part of the city's holistic citizen-centric and whole community approach to disaster preparedness that Chief Mangabat and I are working very diligently to ensure is in place for the city's emergency management department.

And with that being said, I'll be happy to answer any questions or comments for you.

Councilman Ewell, so you have floor pictures.

Always a question.

So that's what you use.

How often how often do we exercise the plan?

And the reason I'm asking, so right before I came on city council, the mass casualty incident at Walmart and Chesapeake occurred.

And so I came on council wondering so what would we do in that circumstance?

Well, uh, so we have a mass casualty plan, but when's the last time we exercised it to see really going to work?

So we do a lot of exercising, especially regionally to look at incidents just like that.

For example, we just finished a tabletop series with the regional uh CAOs and deputy CAOs where we talk through a mass terrorism incident that happened, but you know, across a coordinated attack across the Hampton Roads region.

Uh we've worked with schools and done tabletop exercises on active shooter incidents in schools as recently as August was the tabletop that we just did with them.

I've been here since February, and we've had nonstop disasters, emergencies during that time.

So we've had lots of real-time activity and testing our plans and kind of working through that.

I know uh Mr.

Carter has given the directive for us to do more EOC level training.

So I've lined up uh an exercise plan to kind of get us through the next three years where we will start to do more in the EOC, walking through these kinds of incidents, more functional exercises, testing little parts of drills, um, working with schools, for example, on pieces of their family assistance center plan to practice reunification, things like that.

So we build the plan out on a three-year cycle.

So starting in January, we're gonna be starting off on the right foot and getting those up and going.

And I confess I don't know where our EOC even is.

Right across the street, 307 County Street on the second floor.

We'd be happy to have you all come over and take a look anytime you'd like.

I know where it is.

Yes, sir.

I didn't know that before.

Uh where 911 works out of uh right across the hall.

Yes.

Okay.

Same thing.

Thank you.

Councilwoman Thomas.

Maybe you have the floor.

Thank you.

Uh good afternoon.

Uh, for the EOP, I was looking at, I think it was volume, let's see, or volume two, the functional annexes.

You mentioned that these are all the 18 functional areas that have to be green.

Um so I'm looking at continuity, right?

Is that business continuity?

And can you kind of explain how that differs from the emergency management?

Is that sort of a separate team?

Like, can you kind of give me some insight there?

Okay.

Absolutely.

So where it's talking about continuity here is we're focused on continuity of government.

So the city has a larger continuity of operations plan that walks through all of the continuity government pieces.

You know, what happens if we have to evacuate, if we have to go inland, what happens to support the mayor, and then the vice mayor, kind of chain of command and uh delegations of authority, and then each department in the city is developing their own department level coup plan so that they can continue to operate.

So, for example, with the fire department, if we had to evacuate a fire station, where are they gonna go?

What resources do they need?

Kind of what's the you know what equipment do they need?

So that piece of the plan focuses on that continuity of government and that safety and security lifeline.

Okay, and that's tested as well.

That's as part of our regular business.

Okay, and then you already answered my other question I had about um you mentioned some of the partners, and you talked about the schools and your partnership with them and testing the emergency management.

So thank you for providing that additional information.

Any other questions from my colleagues?

Yeah.

Thank you, Mayor.

You're on the floor.

Thanks for standing here for me, sir.

Oh, you're welcome.

I'll send you the bill.

Be in the form of a uh dessert.

Um you know, at one time we had a uh citizens response uh unit.

Yes, sir.

It is what's the status of that?

Uh I know I know citizens went through training uh uh as part of that, and the mobile unit that was purchased, I think, with federal funds, uh was impressive at the time.

Of course, the time has been a while back.

Is that still uh part of the uh emergency response plan?

So we are working to redevelop that under our volunteer section.

Um that's the community emergency response team or CERT program.

Um I would like to get that up and going in the new calendar year, and uh would like to kind of mirror that off of the uh the folks that you know attend the government 101 type classes and you know, just anything to make make the community better prepared, uh, but I do have plans to relaunch that in uh in queue on of the upcoming calendar year.

Okay, is it is that uh mobile unit still gonna be part of that, or do we need to uh perhaps seek a grant federal grant to replace it?

Um I know that the equipment is in place still, the the trailer is parked over uh with our DSS partners in their parking lot.

Uh we do need to have the opportunity to exercise and train and kind of go through the equipment and see uh what all can be used.

Um definitely looking for other opportunities outside of federal uh grant funding that may not be as as dependable as we may need it to be to maintain that program.

So we will be looking to other business partners and other resources to help kind of uh revitalize that, um, expand the program into the business community and to um our higher education partners and so on.

So I think there's lots of opportunities to enhance that for that.

Thank you.

Councilwoman, you have the floor.

Thanks, Mayor, and thanks, Ms.

McGregor.

Just a general question.

Can you explain the difference between a voluntary and a mandatory evacuation?

I have those right, right?

Yeah, okay.

I'm trying to think of the best way to it's been a long time since we've had one, not going.

Yeah, that's right.

So just a refresher.

The governor is the the one that can um request or can put in place a mandatory evacuation.

Our goal in in my office is to educate the public to the point that they have all of the decisions and all of the information that they need to be able to make the decision on their own to move out of harm's way.

Um I'm trying to think, Chief, if there's a better way to kind of talk that through at the city level since I've not experienced that here.

Right, right.

Yes, so um that's an excellent question.

So we know the mandate comes from the governor.

So when we talk about voluntary um evacuations, a lot of that is directed to areas that we know that have the highest threat, whether it's a flood inundation or areas to where if the storm did hit, that they would no longer be able to receive those services.

So the voluntary part comes very early in the process and is actually earlier than it has been in recent times in the past 10 years.

So when we talk about voluntary, we're really on the educational process, and we're saying, hey, it is time for you to enact your family escape plan and and make those moves early, because the society wants to wait until the last minute, and we've seen nationwide where that will back up the interstate system and create more chaos there.

So uh voluntary gives us the opportunity to push out that education early, and also hopefully we get compliance from the citizens.

Okay, so it's sort of like a traffic late, like going from yellow to green to okay, got it.

Vice Mayor, you have the floor, sir.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh as we uh start to uh develop our waterfront, uh how's our response from the water to the shore?

I know uh a few years back we had a fire boat actually uh so uh Chief as we uh get development underway uh and uh how are we gonna be prepared to uh uh fight a uh a fire or any other disaster from the water to the shore.

Great update for you.

So earlier in the year, you all adopted an ordinance to accept a gift fire boat from the city of Norfolk, which you all receive.

This fiscal year, we are waiting on the funds uh through fleet management to bring that vote up to service level quality.

So it is currently sitting at one of our Portsmouth um facilities over in uh West Norfolk.

And they are going through the boat as we speak, and they are getting the um the engines running, the fire pump going, they're going to market with city approximate markets, and our goal is to have it ready next spring of year 26, so we can launch that protection part of our um waterfront um with that fire bottom.

Terrific.

That's good news.

Thank you.

And I can add on to that too, and another exciting kind of emergency management perspective is with Sale 250 coming up next summer.

We have the opportunity to work with our other regional emergency managers to walk through a lot of these, you know, uh scenarios of resource management, resource allocation, how we can share resources.

So I think that would be a fantastic time to really to your point, sir, work our EOP and kind of see you know how that would work.

And we're all starting that those planning processes, so we're very excited about that.

You know, what one other uh question?

Uh we hear a lot about uh these days about the possibility of cyber warfare.

What is our plan as far as communication in the event that uh none of us can uh access you know the airways carrier pigeon?

That is that's actually part of our continuity of operations plan.

So I'm supporting Ms.

White in helping write the COOC plan for this entity, and that's one of the things that that we would tackle is how would you communicate if you didn't have access to email, if you didn't have access to cell phones, you know, what what would the plan be?

What does she need to have to be able to communicate with everybody?

So we definitely are including her office along with all of the other city offices, and that being one of the scenarios that we talk through is what happens if you know Mr.

Hayes and IT and his team are fantastic in helping us um kind of scope that out and figure out other ways that we could communicate.

So uh all of that is kind of ongoing right now.

Okay.

Thanks.

Councilman Dodson.

So as I read through all the literature, you supplied us.

I really see that our responsibility as council is only to make sure that city management has done its job in emergency preparedness.

There is really no other responsibility or no other duties that we can do to assist you.

Is there any other things that we can do other than to make sure you've done your job?

I think the biggest thing honestly is sharing with your constituents the importance of having a plan, um, inviting them to you know give us feedback and comments on our plans, come exercise with us, come you know, tell us what we're missing.

You know, I I could write these wonderful 400-page plans sitting in my office.

They aren't gonna do anybody any good outside of my office.

So I would I would love to engage with our civic groups, you know, for example, the civic associations, and talk to them about what do you need, what does your community need, you know, and and that ties into so many other plans.

It ties into our MTO plan and you know, into you know future transportation planning and evacuation planning, and there's so many different elements that tie together.

So we're lucky in having the great partnership with our planning department where we can share resources back and forth because uh they have things I need and I have things they need.

So it's the biggest thing that you all can do is share with your constituents the importance of listening to verified vetted information from trusted sources such as yourself, having a plan, being prepared, having a kit, staying informed.

Those are those are much bigger, I think, than you would give yourself credit for because we depend on you all to help us carry that message.

Thank you.

And that and that was uh the really the beauty of the CERP program.

It got uh people uh focused on it involved.

I think there was a certification uh uh element of that uh as well.

So uh I can't wait till they get underway again.

I think that's extremely uh important.

Yes, very excited about that.

And there's so many resources.

You know, the mayor sits on a group with all of the other mayors, and they're talking in the background as Dr.

Coleman and Mr.

Carter are talking with the CAOs about things they need to do.

So there are so many things that you all can do to help support the overall effort.

And I did want to add um with the government one-on-one program.

I'm sure there's a component of this in the government 101 program where we're talking about emergency preparedness.

Is that a part of the program?

Do you know, Chief?

The new government 101 program that we have where we brought in the citizens and we're updating them on departments and providing information.

Is this a part of that process?

Yes, sir.

So uh our department, fire rescue and emergency services.

Part of the um education is emergency management.

Got it.

And I uh our Anna, she has presented at the government 101.

First year she was a student.

Yeah, yeah.

She was able to remember.

Yes.

Great, great.

And that's that's a good way of, as you said, getting our citizens by and but get making them knowledgeable, right?

So that they can be once again, as I said, ambassadors.

We can't have too many ambassadors with the right information and advocates supporting what we're trying to do because this goes to safety too, and and that's still our number one priority.

Thank you.

And that's absolutely and just to underscore that.

I know that it's Secretary Gnome's um directive to push as much as we can down to the local level because we really are the first on scene and we're the last on scene.

Um so you know, FEMA is reflecting that in their their policy changes and their stance uh you know on grants and resources and training.

So the more that we can do at the local level to educate the public and your constituents better.

Yeah, and a good example of that I just left Norfolk and they're experiencing some flooding.

So I was on Hampton Boulevard.

And I was coming off of the bridge, and the water was very high.

And the trucks were splashing the water over, so I had to take a detour.

But had I been informed by prior to that, I might have done something different before I got there.

And there are simple things, you know, that that the citizens can do to help impact that, you know, preparing their property, and there's there's lots of lessons learned from across the country and how to impact that.

And we we're thrilled to get to help um help guide that and help support that.

Yes, ma'am.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Chief, thank you.

You're welcome.

Thank you, Anna.

Thanks, Chief.

Thank you.

Okay, our next presentation will be from our very own uh director of planning, Dr.

Rondo Russell.

She'll be speaking about uh zoning changes in the innovation district.

I'm coming.

Good evening, Dr.

Russell.

Good evening.

Wait a minute.

Okay.

I didn't do it, Miss White.

Always you will.

Thank you.

I'm just testing out the arrow buttons.

How do I get it for?

Good evening, everyone.

We want to bring council up to speed on our implementation efforts for our innovation plan.

Um we have since rebranded the area that the innovation uh plan covers as our link district, and that area um traverses from the intersection of high and Effingham to high in the MLK corridor.

Our um innovation plan was developed to encourage a mixed uh of uses to encourage innovation, um, neighborhood development that supports entrepreneurs, uh, creative industries, and a health care sector.

The specific recommendations of the plan that are embraced in a pending ordinance includes prescriptive uh development guidelines for building form that it speaks to setbacks and maximum building heights as well as ground floor development that would encourage mixed use, uh, maximum heights and densities up to 100 feet and a maximum dwelling unit of 64 units per acre.

The draft ordinance also speaks to permitted uses, and so we're encouraging mixed uses, commissary kitchens, makerspaces, and hubs for entrepreneurs that would allow them to come in and develop products from uh infancy of development to launch, and it includes a mix of uh prohibited uses like gasoline supply sales, vehicle services, um, park and ride lots, single-family dwellings, etc.

When we spoke to the economic development authority last week about implementation of the innovation district and the recommendations of that plan, we were sensitive to the fact that there is some sense of urgency about the development of vacant properties along the corridor and the current ordinance language that permit some uses that are no longer desirable per the plan.

And so that sense of urgency caused us to develop a path forward for uh two trajectories.

One is option A, which is that we would propose uh adoption or our process for adoption of the current current ordinance language as it was adopted in the innovation plan to be followed in short order by option two, which would be a second adoption of revisions to that plan for design standards, and that's where um our discussion becomes very unique because the city of Portsmouth leadership since the adoption of the plan um last fall.

Um we've had some new experiences.

We visited Greenville, South Carolina, which is renowned for reinventing itself, specifically its downtown area.

We spent uh a full day in Greenville uh visiting their downtown, speaking to their leadership and experiencing the wonders of Greenville, and want to replicate in Portsmouth's innovation link district some of those design elements to include their public um spaces, their um pedestrian-oriented development along to along their main street corridor, um, their walkable uh community, their beautiful community with respect to uh pedestrian assets, landscaping signage, and the continuity of design.

And so with uh I've gone the wrong way, should have been on that slide when I spoke of those um those design elements.

And so with uh should have been on that slide when I spoke of those um those design elements, those design elements we want to develop in a public engagement process to include stakeholders in our downtown community, our leadership uh in the city, not just our elected leadership, uh, but our citizenry leadership as well, and that's going to take some time.

We don't believe that we have the benefit or the luxury of waiting to adopt those use pro uh prohibitions of the ordinance, and so we would like to move forward um with that those ordinance elements in our public engagement process.

We're gonna review some of the unique design elements of Groonville as well as some other innovation areas.

We want to go through an exercise where we ask stakeholders to identify for us.

Well, what do you find attractive about this public space?

What do you find attractive about these buildings?

And then our trained eye professionals will share with them.

Well, that's what you like, but this is how we accomplish that with the ordinance language.

Those would be um combination of facade treatments, facades that are permitted, facades that complement each other, and those that don't.

So this is what our schedule would look like.

We would bring before our planning commission at their November meeting uh a work session that goes through the draft language that was proposed with the adoption adoption of the innovation plan.

Um because this would it wouldn't be their first exposure to the language, but they haven't seen it for some time.

We actually saw that with the um the EDA.

I I left the EDA meeting and spoke to our team members this week, and I said, have they seen this before?

Because they asked for copies of the language again.

But it's it's it's it's been many many months after the work session with the planning commission and with their approval.

Our proposal is to bring the proposed draft language before commissioners as a public hearing item at their December meeting, and then if that is approved in December, it would be before the council in January.

So at our October 21st meeting with the EDA, a question that was raised um was one of the experiences uh in Greenville that was so significant were the right-of-way and the roadway improvements, and while they are not specific in the ordinance language, the city of Portsmouth is the beneficiary of raise grant dollars for uh right-of-way improvements along this trajectory of this corridor.

Um the specific question that was raised is we want something different than what was proposed when the grant was written and the grant was awarded.

And is there an opportunity to include the desire for those revisions and the design for the uh raised grant improvements?

I have since conferred with uh Mr.

Wright, the city engineer is advised staff that the uh contract for the raise grant includes multiple opportunities for public engagement around design, specifically 10, and that that body of work has not begun.

And so we're not we're not too late.

Um, and so any concerns with relative to can we change course should be um you know are um or are not significant at this point because we're only dealing with our concept plans.

Great.

Um, and so with that we would like to proceed with ordinance adoption to be followed in tandem with the identification of a stakeholder group for the design elements that we would like to um finalize for a subsequent phase of an ordinance amendment and then move forward with what we've identified as some short-term projects for implementation of the innovation plan along our corridor.

And with that, I'd be more than happy to answer any questions from our council members.

Councilman Hugo, so you have the floor.

Thanks, Mr.

Mayor.

Uh so Dr.

Russell, um when we approve the ordinance that um approves permitted uses and prohibited uses.

Is there still some by-right opportunity for property owners in the link district to put um prohibited uses on properties if they already own them once the ordinance is in place?

Not if they're vacant.

No, sorry.

If they're vacant properties that haven't been developed, they'd have to come into compliance with the adopted ordinance.

Okay, well let's say there's like a building, and the buildings being used for storage, right?

That's because there's some buildings in the link district that are just sitting there full of stuff not being used for anything other than storage.

So does the ordinance preclude them from changing it from storage to a prohibited use, or do they still have the buy-right opportunity to put a big shop or a car wash or something else in the in their storage development to keep it as it is?

So I'm gonna I'm gonna try to do this as clearly as possible.

So the the question that you asked and the ordinance provisions really are not related to the um proposed innovation districts, it's the non-conforming status provisions of the ordinance and and the code.

So if it is a non-conforming use that was non-conforming at the time the ordinance is adopted, um it remains a non-conforming use and can continue unless there are a number of you know they uh cease for 24 months, it's destroyed beyond uh percentage of its replacement value, but it's just that non-conforming use.

It's not any non-performing use.

So changing from storage to something else, shop was what you so you can't do that because it's uh prohibited use.

Yes, got it.

Thank you.

Yes, sir.

Councilwoman McConnell, maybe you have the floor.

Thank you, Mayor.

Thank you, Dr.

Russell.

Um, regarding can you I need some explanation?

So on the option A and option B that you were going through.

Um questions I have, and maybe I'm uh is regarding so we have so the first language adopts the was the current usage, and then you said the second phase would be the design elements.

Yes.

How does option B impact option A?

Because if we have like buildings or people opening, you know, businesses, building homes, isn't that design or design standards, doesn't that have to be defined so that we have some sort of consistency as development is happening?

Am I understanding this all the way wrong?

No, no, no.

Okay, no, no.

All right, I can tell it down a little bit of ah how it came in.

Okay.

So the option A proposes to adopt the innovation district ordinance language as it was prepared in combination with public uh engagement and staff and our um design professionals who work with us in the innovation district plan.

That ordinance does include some design elements, and I'll go through two specifically five-foot maximum building setback and uh 60% of ground floor transparency with respect to to um it's it's glazing and glass, things of that nature, uh building height maximum of a hundred feet and sixty four uh dwelling units per acre as a maximum density, so that option A would include the use restrictions, permitted uses, and prohibited uses, plus these design standards.

So option B says, well, maybe these aren't quite right, and based on what we saw in Greenville, we know we want more, right?

And so the language that speaks to design refinement phase adds that more, okay, addresses issues with parking, uniform signage, uniform facade treatments, uh we saw I'm gonna call them like pocket parts, like come sit for a while, stay for a while, it's just a very inviting environment, and we can accomplish that through design standards, and that's what would come with our phase two.

Okay, so that makes sense.

So we're not talking about we're talking about more so public spaces that the city would kind of control, not control, but provide the funding and so forth to do.

I thought we were talking about design refinement or okay, let's say we want uniformity of building facides.

We are okay.

So if a business already opens up, um because it seems like it's a on the timeline about a year difference between option A and option B.

How do how are some you know we we're getting applications already for um businesses in the link district?

So what will happen to those businesses that open up before we do the additional refinement and we want to create a uniform look?

They would out of fairness to those private investors, they could develop their properties in a manner consistent with the ordinances that are already there.

Yes.

So they would not be uh they would not have to uphold any additional new refinement that's only what would be adopted in like the beginning of the year okay time frame.

The 20th January 2026, okay.

Yes.

It's is there in the reason just just um wrapping my mind around this?

The reason we have to have that kind of option A, option B approach is that we want to get public input with option B.

Is that correct?

We want the stakeholders to be involved in the design standards for option B.

Okay.

But more importantly, uh, with moving forward with the adoption of an ordinance is the are the uses.

So we want to make sure that the use groups that are permitted in the district are consistent with the vision.

Last question.

What do we have a like a rush of businesses?

You know, eager because people are eager and happy when they hear about the link district before we get the additional refinement um added, how will that potentially impact the vision for the link district?

If we get a rush on like if we can start seeing a lot of applications for you know development in the link district, um, and we know that we have a vision from some of the things that we're seeing in Greenville, you know, how does that impact the long-term vision that we initially it could negatively impact the long-term vision, but I'll share with you that we are seeing two um large-scale multifamily developments, right?

Almost directly across from each other that are consistent with the vision in terms of design and scaling, and you know, so the um market itself is uh appears to be motivated to develop those properties consistent uh with that vision.

Uh and I'm talking about Bain's point, and then there's a simple townhouse development across the street.

So the likelihood of that happening before the beginning of the year where we have some protection with adoption of the ordinance is very low.

Um that you know, the beginning of the so we have what November, December, January, three months, your development permitting process itself when it goes well is 90 to 120 days.

Okay.

All right, thank you, Dr.

Welcome.

Some considerations.

Councilman Dodson.

Yeah, sure.

Um, so we learned a lot of a lot from Greenville, and it uh maybe it's the wording, but I have kind of a two-part question here.

Yes, the five-foot setback does not seem to be consistent with what we've learned recently.

And Greenville?

Yes, in Greenville for a walkable area.

I think in this am I confused, is that correct that it's not compatible?

No, you're right.

I think we have the time.

I know, but I don't want to oh, okay.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Sorry.

Pardon me.

But the the language from the innovation plan.

Um five foot maximum front yard set back.

What we learned from Greenville is you know, zero, zero front yard set back.

Um I I think that we shouldn't tinker with it.

Um I thought we wanted a walkable area for the sidewalk area, and I don't see that um in this, and that's maybe that's what I think.

It's not it's not, it's not in the language today.

It is it absolutely is not, and that's what the concern was relative to the raise grant um design and having input into that design so that we encourage a pedestrian-friendly.

So I don't know that this encourages that, so I think that I would like to be more educated before I could vote yes on something with a five-foot setback.

I would have to understand it a little better how we get that walkway, or do we need to quickly modify this one aspect of it to create that walkable area?

Because I in my concept, the five foot setback does not make a walkable area.

Am I correct or incorrect?

Um I don't want to I don't think you're correct or incorrect.

So the building setback is how far your building is from your property line.

What is encouraging that pedestrian-friendly environment is the width of your sidewalk, the landscaping, the seating area, the um how inviting that pedestrian area and space is that's not this ordinance.

That is the design of the right-of-way improvements that will be implemented.

That's where my question is is what's the right-of-way through there in terms of the setback.

Are they both consistent with our walkable area?

Because in some properties, I know the set the the right-of-way is real narrow.

In some areas it's wide.

I don't know what this area has for the right-of-way through there in order to understand how I how I might vote on this.

So your right-of-way and your building setback are two different things.

That's right.

So your building setback is from the property line to where you have physical improvements on that lot.

And so is the right-of-way adequate for the walkable, I guess would be the next question.

In some areas where we were um, so from high and um Crawford, it's very wide.

The sidewalk is very wide.

As you move further along High Street in some areas, it m the width of that um sidewalk meanders.

The link district.

So should we consider that before we pass this first part in order to make it consistent to that area?

No, I mean I probably let me tell I wish James were here.

Because the right-of-way and is separate from the the right of way is public.

It's probably the best way to do it.

The right-of-way is a is a public space that you could not put a building in that.

No, I understand, but does the right-of-way, you know, do this as you go along, and if it does, should we make it uniform before we consider this?

Yeah.

So the sidewalk is going to be incorporated in the raise grant design.

Correct.

It's not something they don't it doesn't have to happen now as it is as he's presenting because it's going to be incorporated in that.

Correct.

And you're using you're mixing the terms for what you're talking about with respect to the sidewalk and the right-of-ways, different things.

Two different things.

We get what you're saying in terms of design.

This is the first step.

I'm gonna have to talk to you after because I don't feel like um I'm able to hold up your meeting for my misunderstanding.

Your meeting.

All the time.

Okay.

Any other questions?

Councilwoman Bryant.

Thanks, Mary.

And thanks, Dr.

Russell.

Yes.

Um the design advisory group that will be forming or uh question.

Your recommendation making that consistently.

Can you tell us do we know yet?

Well, because two that might include how big that group might be where you have to.

I have some ideas um that would have to be vetted.

Um approved setback.

Um I'm interested in using those same persons that participated in the innovation district plan sweet, um, which I believe included representatives from the old town business association to continue that body of work.

This is just a transition piece.

Um follow-up question or additional question that is.

Um, how are we looking at the connection between the link district and the high street?

Or one cross back and forth over Eppingham when you're saying um obviously the design will be different.

We're gonna have old versus new.

More contemporary.

Um I guess I'm trying to imagine how that will how it will flow how it will kind of come together.

Will there be some sort of bridging or pedestrian?

I don't know, link between the two, or or in your mind, will it just kind of magically not magically enzyme meeting?

Meet and flow, of course, not magically.

It will look like magic to all of us, but not even the the um the design ethos for the innovation district uses a the a term actually like is how it's called road diet, right?

So we make the road more narrow so that it becomes more pedestrian friendly and that we have uh we call bike pedrovements that encourage active use of that space for pedestrians and bicyclists because it feels safer.

Um just because there's the there's less traffic and the traffic is moving slower because it has to, right?

Um and then activation of that space in terms of festival oriented uses and its program.

That's that's how I see it.

Um and then we believe that we've got some like 21 million dollars and uh federal and state funds with uh right-of-way improvements that that will incentivize private development in that area, and that when it takes off, it will take off.

Um that's the magic.

Councilwoman Thomas.

Um I wanted to follow up on Councilwoman Bryant's question about I had to put up on my notes, the design advisory group.

Um Councilwoman Bryant asked, kind of who what were your thoughts about who would be involved?

Um I wanted to touch on that, but my question was kind of what are their responsibilities.

And so I wasn't a part of the, you know, I wasn't here when the initial link or innovation district um idea was you know discovered.

So I guess that you said was the old town business association that had input into that.

Um are we can we expand our reach on who has input because especially the fact that we're calling it the link district, and it's certainly a link between you know Old Town and the extension of High Street, but also think because we are paying homage to Lincoln'sville that we should make sure that we have a lot of different, not a lot too much, because I know too much input, but some some additional input um to what that design or future design looks like uh for that option B, phase two.

Yes, right, and then kind of what I guess the responsibilities are more so just again continuing to improve or dial in some of our design refinement.

Is that the only responsibilities of that group?

Kind of to highlight more what what are the other responsibilities of that design advisor group?

Just the option B additional refinement.

Do they also have say into like what other type of businesses will be there?

Like what are their additional or the ordinances and prescriptive, you know.

Okay, this is printed, this is not permitted.

Um this is the design elements, we want to accomplish this and we accomplish this this way.

I don't see uh that body being precluded from making recommendations for the whole ordinance, but the uh what we're asking the council and the planning commission as well as the EDA to endorse is um uh closer look at the design um specs so that they match our um expanded vision for for what uh this area can be um certainly we can expand the um stakeholders and the vision for the stakeholders that would be included in that effort.

What what I see is uh in tandem with this November to January time frame that we are developing that stakeholder effort, sharing that with the manager and then our planning commission and getting that endorsed and then reaching out to those parties and starting that scope of work.

Do you recommend at all?

Um I don't know, like do you think it'll get too I guess too much input if we put out um like for applications for citizens that or small citizen group don't want to be a part of that design advisory group, or do you do you prefer just in your best practice?

But just best practices.

What do you think?

I've seen it done so many different ways.

Okay, we we have our marketing and communications department that are the experts in that area, so I would lean on um on them to just advise us on what's the this is what we want to accomplish.

What's the best way to do that?

Okay, thank you.

You're welcome.

Good.

And one of the things I'll I'll add to that when Dr.

Russell and I went up to Harvard to do our presentation, you know, we talked about a lot of these types of concepts and and ways to get there.

And I would agree with Dr.

Russell, particularly we talked about our link district and the historical impact of that district and and cutting others within that district to help us kind of conceptually put together what we desire to be there.

I need everybody to keep in mind this is a process, and as we go through the process, um a lot of things that we may not have ironed out today will become clearer, and in that understanding, for example, we've already talked.

I took Dr.

Russell to meet with some of the folks at Club Deporis.

Remember when we went over there, so many of you may not know Club de Porrays, which is in the Link District, was started by the Catholic Club.

Um, those were the African American folks who went to the only African American Catholic school here in the city of Portsmouth.

And Club de Porez is named after um Martin Deporres, who was the first saint to the Catholic Church.

He was African.

And so we're engaging people all the time in conversations, letting them know that there is a vision coming, and as we continue to go forward, I think things will become clearer.

And that's important, of course.

Um, being the Linked District, there's there's the Lincolnsville component, there's Norkham.

Um so there's a lot of different things.

I was interested in talking to someone about when you went to Greenville, in fact, they had some statues when you walk downtown of their city fathers, like Mr.

Poinset, the other guy that was a father of Greenville.

And then when you walk down a little bit, they actually had a statue of three African American children who were the children that went to, and I took a picture of it, who went or or went to the first African American school there.

So it was a reflection of the community through visual art.

They were sitting on benches, these statues were, and some of them were standing.

So we envision something similar, and that is going to involve everybody who needs to be involved in that process.

The other thing I'll take away from that visit that Dr.

Russell and I had, you know, to Harvard.

The whole purpose was it was called the Jess City Initiative, right?

And so what the purpose of that was um under this program, they brought together mayors from different cities, and it was a diverse group of mayors, so it wasn't one demographic.

The beauty of it was they talked to us about how could we restore the practice of just justice and justice is not necessarily a broad term because we know historically how these things were done, but justice in a sense of making these areas more inclusive, right?

It wasn't to the detriment of one group versus another, but bringing real inclusivity to the table, and we all had to present the eight mayors from different demographics.

We had Midwesterners, we had folks on the West Coast, folks in the south, folks in the north.

And what I took away with from that was just the engagement.

Some of us had different ways of getting there, but everyone was interested in bringing the folks to the table, and that's what I think this will ultimately drive out.

So I just want everybody to just it's a process, but but we're headed in the right direction.

And as a part of that visit, I got my new uh title, which is which is thank you, Siri.

That's my cue, which is which is Chief Visionary Officer of the City of Portsmouth.

Um and and as a part of that, you you know, guys, I know I know you you guys laugh at me when I say that, but I truly embrace that role as chief visionary officer to the degree I heard you mention that one of the criteria for heights in this ordinance was a hundred feet.

Maximum.

Right, maximum.

And I'm not that smart, but I think a hundred feet would be equivalent to ten stories.

Roughly sweet.

So ten stories is actually the height that I think we want a building in Portsmouth.

Ten stories.

And I've been saying that to some of my developer friends.

I said, who's gonna come and gonna who's gonna come and build the 10-story building in the Link District?

Mixed use, whatever we want to call it, some residentials, some other stuff.

But who's gonna come and build that 10-story building?

How about that?

You want to talk about a big vision?

Let's get something in place that really celebrates all of us putting it together and really making something happen.

So that's my two cents.

But did you say 10 stories?

10 stories.

We so if you want to know what that looks like, so the professional building that's downtown has just been renovated.

That's six stories.

That's six stories.

And I think that's exactly why we have need diversity on the death design of the ethnic group.

That's a great thing.

Well, as you present.

And there will be diversity there, you know, for all those folks who who may not think so.

Uh we we are diverse and we will be diverse.

Folks will have a seat at the table.

Um, and we're already practicing that.

So that's not something that we are going to look the other way about.

And just wanted to bring that up.

And thank you, Dr.

Russell.

I think your leadership on this and really kind of guiding us and educating us.

What we got to remember is we have not done this before.

This has not been done in the city of Portsmouth.

When is a 10-story building other than the Renaissance building, I think, been built in the city of Portsmouth.

So let's start thinking about big things, as I said, that's gonna make our city better and be an attraction that's gonna provide the revenue, the lifestyle, and the things that we desire in our city.

Are there any other questions for Dr.

Russell?

Thank you, ma'am.

Thank you.

Thank you, Dr.

Russell.

I think that's right.

That was God somewhere in that area.

How about the profession ability?

The renaissance is a little bit more.

And the tower right now.

But I'm talking about building.

Absolutely.

Of course, it must be we got a vision.

It's a tall building, Mr.

Mayor.

That's okay, baby.

That overlooks the whole show.

Come on, gotta have his fountain.

All right, so um, a couple items that are coming up later tonight um at our public hearing.

We have two uh scheduled.

One is a discussion around the link district, um, which is a resolution that needs to be passed, and the second is a citywide ordinance um amending uh chapter 33.1 of the city code.

So those two things will come up in the public hearing.

We have uh for the city manager's report, we have quite a few.

Uh total of 18 items of those 18, 16 are ordinances uh that are requesting uh additional accepting funds.

Um two of those are resolutions, and one is a donation to be received.

And Dr.

Coleman, if I could remember, guys, I know y'all looking at the agenda saying, wow, all those all those items.

But remember, we didn't have a meeting.

This is our only meeting in the month of October.

I just want to make everybody aware.

I'm good.

That's why we have so many agenda items.

I think the clerk has something she'd like to say.

Okay, not discounting what the mayor just said.

Um, at this time, we have no registered speakers for the city manager items.

We have none for the public hearing, but you have to do the public hearing thing.

But for the city manager items, we have no speakers.

We only have about 20 minutes where speakers are able to register.

I don't think you're still gonna have any.

I'm asking if you all would like to test the method of changing the order of your meeting and for the city manager's report only, right?

Have a motion to adopt all the items at once.

With that, it would require me to read all of the items, but it would only require a vote, a motion, and a second to vote on the INS.

Seems like I remember uh that's why I'm throwing that out.

I like the man.

I applaud you.

Uh and and that's hopefully that will become the norm.

I want to just well, no, yeah, one thing.

It's a caveat.

Because there is a caveat, and you know where I stand on this.

Um there are no speakers.

That's the key to this right now.

And so if that changes, that might change how we approach it.

But that's really the thing that makes this go as smoother as smoothly as possible, and makes more sense to do it this way than any other way.

And and doing it under one motion still wouldn't preclude someone speaking or speaking a particular item uh within that.

Well, the that is what causes it to be pulled, and now we're getting far uh talking, but but the idea that someone wants to discuss it is to influence the vote, not just to talk for their own.

And so therefore the vote would not be appropriate, and that would need to be removed from the consent agenda.

So that's why we would know ahead of time because it closes down at 6 30.

Correct.

So we wouldn't know ahead of time if someone wanted to speak.

At that time, we would know to pull the item.

This is a test evening test.

And we can adjust as necessary to figure out if it's something that you all want to continue to deal with.

We just touched on it out.

We had this discussion.

We were heard, and we hear you.

Thank you, sir.

Um, at this time I will call for any council liaison reports.

Do we have any counsel liaison reports at this time?

Seeing none.

Um I will call this work session meeting to adjournment, and we'll see everybody in the chamber at seven o'clock this evening.

Meeting adjourned.

Good evening, citizens of Portsmouth, invited guests, uh, all in attendance tonight.

Thank you for being here to our city council meeting.

I also want to acknowledge our city staff who is here with us tonight.

Thank you all for being here, and our deputy city manager, Dr.

Coleman is here uh with us tonight, and of course, our city attorney, Miss Lavonda Graham Williams, and my colleagues on council.

I call this meeting to order and ask now for Pastor Z Dolphus Hall, Liberty Life Church to provide our invitation afterwards.

Please stick remain standing for our pledge of allegiance.

Pastor, thank you for the opportunity to pray at this meeting.

Let us pray.

Dear Heavenly Father, Lord, we thank you for this day, for this is a day that you have created.

Lord, let us rejoice and be glad in it.

God, you are the Alpha, the Omega, the beginning and the end.

We give you all the glory, the honor, and the praise in advance of the outcome of this meeting tonight.

God, we know that you are the creator of all things to include this body of government under the sound of my voice.

You gave us wise counsel, as Proverbs 31, eight and nine says.

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.

Speak up and judge fairly.

God let it be so.

In conclusion, God, we want to say thank you.

Thank you for our citizens who are here for their concern for this great city.

Thank you for our city staff and officials elected and appointed, who labor day in and who labor day out.

That does not go unnoticed.

Their labor is not in vain.

Thank you.

In Jesus' most matchless and heavenly name we pray.

Amen.

I would ask my colleagues to please note your attendance electronically.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Our next item, we will have the minutes.

We have the minutes of a call meeting on September 23rd, 2025, and a regular meeting on September 23, 2025, and a called meeting on October three through October 4, 2025.

Do we have a motion to approve the minutes?

Move adoption.

Second please vote electronically.

We're now moving into the part of our agenda for a presentation.

And at this time I would ask that Attorney Levanda Graham Williams please join me up front.

Oh.

Oh my goodness.

I don't think so.

Just hold one second.

Thank you.

Thank you, Miss White.

I'm gonna take a moment, so bear with me because this is this is hard.

Um I remember when I met this young lady, she shared with me her history here in the city of Portsmouth, and all I could imagine was a young girl growing up in the city of Portsmouth, going through Portsmouth public schools, having amazing parents and an amazing family, and all she really wanted to do was to become a lawyer.

And so through her hard work and dedication and perseverance, I heard her say that one of the greatest joys of her life, and one of the best things that she could do to show her parents that she was as amazing as they know she is, was to become a lawyer.

And so listening to that story, I thought about imagine being someone coming from a place, growing up in a community and coming back to that community you grew up in and becoming the first woman city attorney in the city of your birth.

That's amazing.

That's amazing.

And I told her, I said, you know, when when she interviewed, I said, you know, I like this lady.

And and it was only because if you want a salesperson and a very good lawyer, you want Levonda Graham Williams.

But most importantly, in all seriousness, we're losing a top-tier professional in the city, but we're gaining an amazing human being that's going to be a judge in our court system, and I think that's the better deal.

Thank you.

So I know I I won't share all the backstories between me and Madam Attorney, but I would not want anyone else on the bench to meet out justice and fairness in the best possible way than this lady.

And I am grateful as the mayor to have had the opportunity and be here in this time in history to witness you and watch you grow and develop and watch you continue to move on to greater heights.

So, on behalf of the grateful city and a grateful city council, uh, we appreciate you, ma'am.

Thank you, and we appreciate your service.

My pleasure.

Thank you so much.

Oh, the flowers, okay.

Okay, okay.

You can't talk.

You're right, I can't.

I can't.

Um, I wasn't prepared for this.

That was very sneaky, Mayor.

Um this has been one of my greatest uh accomplishments of my career to be able to come back and serve the city that I love so much.

Um, it's the place of grace and grit, and I wouldn't want to do what I've done anywhere else.

Um I love the city, I love all of these people here that I've gotten to serve with Deborah White.

You know how I feel about you, Deborah White and Mayor.

We've had our knockdown drag outs, um, but at the end of the day, we've all grown very much from it, and I appreciate everything that you've done.

Uh, for me, um, this council, the the other councils and the councils that come next.

I hope I left my mark, and I I'm so glad to be able to see this city continue to grow.

So thank you.

Thank you, everybody for um all my family that's watching, thank you guys, uh, my sisters in DC that are looking uh out for me, and um everyone here in the in the chamber today.

Thank you all.

Now hold on.

I don't want you to walk away yet because I know the mayor made some comments, but I want to give my colleagues an opportunity because this is a team effort.

So are any do any of my colleagues wish to you can you can start with uh um a councilwoman uh councilwoman Thomas, ma'am?

I'm gonna keep it short.

Um but uh city attorney Graham, soon to be Judge Graham.

Um, as a new councilwoman, um I just can't thank you enough for what your guidance has meant uh in just being successful um and being in this new role as a councilwoman.

I've had the pleasure to sit next to you in our work sessions and how many times you lean over to me and you know maybe correct something or just you know give me that little nudge.

Um the word I think about with you is authority.

You always tell me to speak with authority, um, and you speak with authority to us.

It takes a lot of um relationship and just the way you do it, the way that you keep us all in line, keep us all legal, um, is a sight to behold.

And you're not gonna be you're not gonna be easily replaced.

You're gonna definitely gonna be missed.

And as a fellow Greyhound, I can't tell you how proud I am to see someone from IC Northcomb step into the role of judge right here in the city.

So thank you for continuing to inspire me and inspiring others.

I really love you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, Councilman Duss.

There are very few people that can look at me with a smile and say, You're wrong, don't do that.

And you're one of those that I can look at and say, Yes, ma'am, and we and it's a wonderful to see that bright beautiful smile coming across to know that whatever you're saying, you're saying in love.

And that's that's just makes you a great person.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Councilwoman.

Yes, absolutely.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

This has been an honor to serve with you on this council, Lavonda, and you are absolutely an inspiration.

Um, it was a big step to join council, and I have felt so wonderfully supported by the staff across the board, but in particular in working with you, and you have this wonderful way of explaining legalities, but in a very relatable, understandable, personal way.

And that's what makes you so wonderful at this job.

And I wish you the best of luck in your next adventure.

You're gonna be great, and we're gonna be there to support you along the way as much as we can.

So thank you absolutely for everything.

And before I go to councilman Tillers, I know I'm walking out of order, but I did share with Judge Graham Williams that I do not want to see her in her courtroom.

Councilman Tilly, so you have the floor.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, attorney Graham Williams.

First of all, I want to thank you for being that first person when city staff to have embraced me as a new councilperson a few years ago and guiding me through uh the proper channels on how to get things done.

Um the biggest things I've learned from you is never asking an attorney, can it be done, but how it can be done.

Um and um I just wish you well in all your future endeavors.

Um and you didn't get it right by going to IC Norkel, but you but you you you try to correct the course by uh sending your children to church and high school, so I do appreciate that.

There you go.

Thank you, Councilman Hugo, Madam City Attorney and Madam Judge.

Um I'm gonna break a uh council rule and share something that was said in closed session.

It was one of the very first closed sessions that I sat in.

We were discussing some case, and you said I'm a fighter.

And uh that stuck, I think, with all of us.

So you have fought uh for our city, uh fought to do the right thing on behalf of the city, and we're looking forward to uh our continued relationship uh as I shared with you at our most recent council retreat.

Uh, we're gonna send you breakfasts of rusty nails so that you continue uh to to own that fighting attitude that's uh served us so well.

So we wish you best uh in your new position.

Vice Mayor Moody.

The vice mayor is gonna read something here, and bear with me.

Okay, and if I ever appear in your court, don't hold it against me.

You there once was an attorney, a prosecutor true.

Lavonda Graham Williams made her mark in view.

Just as she served, the guilty she'd face.

Her verdicts were golden, her honor a grace.

Her name traveled far, her reputation grand, respected and known across the land.

Yet back in her town in City Halls, halls, they longed for a lawyer who'd answer their calls.

Cases piled high, the pressure was tight.

They needed a champion to set things right.

You might say the city was in a jam, then stepped up the hometown girl, the locals knew as Lavonda Graham.

With courage and heart, she rose to the stand, a voice for the people with a firm guiding hand.

The town should allowed and spirits anew for Lavonda Graham Williams had come home and justice did too.

Oh wow.

Thank you all.

This is lovely.

Um later.

Thank you, Mayor.

You got it.

Wow, Vice Mayor.

That was pretty good.

So we'll give Madam Attorney a chance to sit down and then we will move on with the agenda.

Thank you all.

And Madam Clerk, would you please read the council rules?

Yes, sir.

Ladies and gentlemen, city council rules require a limit of up to five minutes to speak.

As you approach the speaker's podium, you would notice the timer.

At the beginning of your five minutes, you will see a green light.

Four minutes into your remarks, you will notice a yellow light.

At the end of five minutes, you will see a red light here a beat.

And we ask that you conclude your comments at that time.

While speakers have an opportunity to address counsel on matters of public concern, all comments should be made in a manner that respects the seriousness of the forum and should not be made in a belligerent, sarcastic or demeaning fashion.

Our remarks shall be directed to the city council as a body rather than to any particular member of City Council, staff, or the audience, and should be limited to matters that only the Portsmouth City Council can influence.

A speaker who fails to observe this basic rule of decorum will be deemed out of order and not allowed to conclude his or her comments.

Thank you, ma'am.

We're now moving on to the next item on our agenda, public hearings.

Item 25-299, public hearing on use permit and quote amendment applications.

Item A, UP-25-10.

And Madam Clerk, would you please read the public hearing resolution we're considering for this item?

Yes, sir.

Link district resolution granted the request of G Palmer for a use permit to operate a drug and alcohol treatment facility at 901 Enterprise Way and the General Mixed Use Zoning District.

The property is owned by Mayfair Alps LLC, the future land use map of the Bill 1 Porsche and Comprehensive Plan designates this property for commercial uses.

Planning Commission recommends approval with conditions.

The actual resolution reads a resolution granting a use permit, UP 2510 to G Palmer to operate a drug and alcohol treatment facility at 901 Enterprise Way.

Thank you, ma'am.

Is the applicant present?

If you would come forward, state your name and address, sir.

You will have 10 minutes.

Thank you, Mayor Glover, members of City Council, uh City Staff.

My name is Grady Palmer.

My business address is 222 Central Park Avenue in the city of Virginia Beach, and it's a pleasure to be here tonight.

I really want to appreciate Pastor Hall's words.

Uh and he said to speak out and remember those that are in need.

And this proposal is a conditional use permit to operate a drug and alcohol treatment recovery facility.

It's a residential facility at 901 Enterprise Way.

The facility is currently an assisted living facility.

It's been operating for many years.

So it's perfectly situated for a conversion from residential assisted living to residential drug and alcohol recovery services.

And so that's it.

And I just want to say that there is a there is a it is an underserved population, and not just Portsmouth, but everywhere.

Staffed, operational, uh, every element that that uh will make up this facility and can answer any questions that you have about how the facility would operate.

Um but there is a need for this, not just in Portsmouth, but in all of Hampton Roads.

I believe there is only one residential treatment facility in Portsmouth.

I could be wrong, but that's that's uh what I believe to be true.

So and there is a there's there's a need.

There's a even even more than this one.

I think there is a need for several more.

So and there is a there's there's a need there's a even even more than this one I think there is a need for for for several more one of the things that's important uh in talking about these facilities is you know it's important that they're they're institutional in nature but it's also important that it not be institutionalized and I think this particular property uh is a good fit for this it it it it is in the community it's near residential but it's it but it's set up as a medical uh uh use um uh public health use right now so I think it does a good uh it strikes a good balance between uh giving people access to to institutional land uses and in assistance but not isolating them and that's I think a really important part of citing these facilities and so I think this is a really good uh location for this proposed facility and I want to thank the staff for all their work and recommendation and the planning commission recommendation as well uh and that with that I'll Mr.

Rossstein is here to answer questions uh if if you have any about the facility but I do ask for your approval tonight uh you can see there it's uh right there on Enterprise and Fort uh that's the existing uh Mayfair assisted living facility um so like again it's a perfect balance between the need to institutionalize these land uses but make but include them in the in the community so they don't stigmatize uh residents I think this is a great site for this I do ask for your approval and I'll stand by for any questions that you have thank you Mr.

Palmer are there any questions for Mr.

Palmer for my colleagues Mr.

Palmer said okay so you you have to first refer to Dr.

Coleman so that he can ask um for permission to uh be granted to speak to to make sure I'm clear in understanding um of this going through this is a special well first of all you need to present it to Mr.

Coleman because Mr.

Coleman has to get his staff to be able to address your concern are you asking a question of the zoning person or administrator?

Yes okay or the zoning planning director okay Mr.

Coleman yes yes sir councilman dots um so if I understand this is by a special use permit in other words this it's it's approved by zoning but only if it comes before us as a board I'm going to get Dr.

Russell to elaborate on that Dr.

Russell yes sir Dr.

Dobson the ordinance permits this is a use with the approval of a conditional use permit I think that's what I was looking for the conditional use permit.

And it and the second question to follow that up was so it was a residential or it is currently a residential and now we're just we're keeping it as a residential it's currently an assisted living facility Mayfire I believe is the commercial operator that if approved will be converted to a substance abuse rehabilitation facility.

But my understanding is there's similar use thank you yes are there any other questions from my colleagues for Mr.

Palmer or the applicant I I do have a question sir if you would come back forward.

I'm in reading the the the the backup documentation uh for this particular item what kind of security measures do we have in place I did read for example there's key fob restricted access in for the building and those but what about outside of the building are there any other security measures that we have is there a security plan in the event that something goes the way it's not supposed to go yes sir Mrs.

Rostein will answer that question.

Okay very good evening my name is Michael Rothstein R O T H S T E I N to answer your question as far as security is concerned if I can just explain a little bit about the facility so this is a residential care facility so the uh residents will be there for upwards of 30 days.

So it is not a come and go facility the clients do not drive there they're transported there and so uh if you think of it like a hospital where someone's there for long-term care.

As far as security goes we have security cameras set up in all the common areas inside and around the perimeter of the building as far as uh de-escalation or things like that the all of the staff is trained uh to handle de-escalation there is medical staff on site to handle any sort of medical emergencies of course they will call 911 if need be um but we've never experienced anything to the extent that would require um on-site security guards or anything like that this is not um like a methadone clinic or something like that for all intents and purposes you'll drive by this and you won't see anybody because they'll all be inside receiving care thank you sir sure are there any other questions seeing none ladies and gentlemen this is a public hearing excuse me ma'am this is a public hearing and I will announce that it is open for speakers to come and speak please please just be patient and I will get there.

If you do wish to come and speak, you can come to the front and state your name and address, and you will have five minutes.

Good evening.

Good evening.

My name is Donna Biggs, and I live in the Woodbine Farms.

What I was interested in at ADA, they talked about the link district, and uh someone was uh was speaking and everything, but I didn't see any information about this project that they want to include.

So that's why I'm asking uh was it presented to be part of that uh conversation or not?

Thank you, ma'am.

This is a public hearing use permit for for this item, which is located in that area.

Are there any other speakers who wish to come forward and speak on this public hearing item?

Seeing none, then this public hearing item is closed.

Council members, we're in need of a motion and a second.

Move for adoption.

Second.

Any additional discussion on this item?

Seeing none, please vote electronically.

This item is adopted 70.

Thank you, ma'am.

The next item, item B, CA-25-02.

And Madam Clerk, would you please read the public hearing ordinance we are considering on this item?

Yes, sir.

Citywide ordinance granting the request of the City of Portsmouth proposes to amend Chapter 33.1 of the City Code subdivision ordinance to update specific provisions to ensure consistency and compliance with amendments to the Virginia Code as enacted through HB 2660 and SB 974, which became effective on July 1st, 2025.

Planning Commission recommends approval.

The actual ordinance reason, ordinance amending and reordaining chapter 33.1, subdivisions of this code of the city of Portsmouth, Virginia, including Article 1, General Provisions, Article 2, procedures and documents to be filed, and Article 3, requirements for design and minimum improvements for the purpose of making amendments required by state law.

Thank you, madam clerk.

Do we have the applicant here to present?

This city is that I understand that I was getting ready to get to Dr.

Russell.

Um welcome her to the podium.

Welcome, Dr.

Russell.

Ma'am, you have the floor.

Good evening, everyone.

The City of Portsmouth is required to amend our subdivision ordinance to comply with recent changes to the code of Virginia, which now make the entire subdivision review process and administrative process.

Previously, our planning commission reviewed major subdivisions for compliance with our comprehensive plan, major right-of-way uh improvements, and that will still occur, but it will occur administratively.

Additional changes to the subdivision ordinance that are required per the code, um, include release of sureties as the developer applicant complete certain phases of the subdivision review process, and it adds timeliness requirements for the review process, which will result in greater efficiencies and hopefully less costs for our development community.

Um we are required to implement these requirements as was stated in the uh review of the application.

They became effective July 1, and so in practice, we have already begun implementing and reviewing subdivision plats in this manner.

I'd be more than happy to answer any questions from um our members of our community or our council members as directed.

Thank you, ma'am.

And are there any questions from my colleagues on council?

Seeing none, thank you very much.

Thank you.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is a public hearing item.

If you wish to come speak on this public hearing item, you're not required to have signed up.

If you do come forward, please state your name and address, and you will have five minutes.

Seeing none coming forward, this ma'am, please come forward, state your name and address.

I'm Donna Biggs.

I live in the Woodbine Farms.

This is a very confusing ordinance, and I think it needed to be reviewed with some of the people, such as me.

I'm a visual action person.

And so seeing it, it doesn't make sense to me.

So y'all are gonna approve it anyway, whether I know about it or not.

Thank you, ma'am.

If there's anyone else who wishes to come forward and speak on this public hearing item, this is your opportunity.

You will come forward, state your name and address.

You will have five minutes.

Seeing none, this public hearing item is closed.

Council members, we are in need of a motion and a second.

Move adoption.

Second.

Any additional discussion?

Seeing none, please vote electronically.

This item is adopted 70.

Thank you, madam clerk.

We're now moving to the city manager's report.

Item on the agenda, and I will need a motion to consider um the city manager completing the city manager report with one vote.

Move adoption.

Councilman Hugo, sir, you have the floor.

Uh yeah, Ms.

Mayor.

Uh, I move to adopt the city manager report items 25-300 all the way through 25-317 using one vote.

Second.

We have a motion and a second.

Any additional discussion?

Madam Clerk.

Voting electronic.

Voting please.

Please vote electronically.

This item is adopted 70.

All right.

All right.

Ready?

City Managers Report 25300.

Adoption of an ordinance accepting funding in the amount of $2,700 from the Virginia Department of Social Services, and appropriating said amount in the FY 2026 Social Services Fund for Family Partnership Meeting Incentive Program.

25-301 adoption of an ordinance authorizing payment to SC funds from the tax sale of 3506 Blaine Street to Edward Cedric Wright, Janine Dolores Gaines, Carol Deans, Terry Deans, McFarland, and Gayla Catherine Wright Molina as authorized by Section 58.1-3967 of the Virginia Code and appropriating the sum of 27,146.94 cents from the fund balance of the general fund to the FY 2026 general fund budget for a said purpose.

25-302, adoption of an ordinance accepting 1,500,000 from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.

An appropriated set amount in the FY 2026 grants grants fund for use by for kids, Inc.

to expand eviction prevention programs and provide targeted support for McKinney Venti eligible children and youth in the region.

25-303 adoption of an ordinance accepting rescue squad assistance grant program funds in the amount of 180,000 from the Office of Emergency Medical Services and appropriating set amount in the FY 2026 grants fund for use by the Department of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services.

From the Virginia Department of Fire Programs and appropriating said amount in the FY 2026 grants fund for use by the Department of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services.

25-305 adoption of an ordinance accepting a grant in the amount of $7,366 from the U.S.

Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through the Virginia Highway Safety Office and appropriating said funds in the FY 2026 grants fund for use by the Portson Police Department to deter driving under the influence.

25-306 adoption of an ordinance accepting a grant and the amount of $11,644 from the U.S.

Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through the Virginia Highway Safety Office and appropriating said some in the FY 2026 grants fund for use by the Portsmouth Police Department to improve traffic safety in Portsmouth.

25-307, adoption of an ordinance accepting with appreciation, the donation by the DeLong Company Inc of a 20-foot container for use by the Portsmouth Police Department Mounted Patrol Unit.

25-308, adoption of an ordinance accepting STEP VA funding in the amount of 285,612 from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and appropriating SEP funds in the FY 2026 Behavioral Health Care Service Fund for use by BHS to provide targeted case management, care coordination, and psychiatric rehabilitation.

25-309 adoption of an ordinance accepting substance use disorder developmental disabilities funding in the amount of 167,577 from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and appropriating set funds in the FY 2026 Behavioral Health Care Service Fund for use by BHS to expand community-based substance use treatment services.

25-310 adoption of an ordinance accepting baseline federal block grant funding in the amount of $1,280,937 from the U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services through the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and appropriating said funds in the FY 2026 Behavioral Health Care Service Fund for use by BHS to provide community mental health services and substance abuse prevention and treatment.

25-311 adoption of an ordinance accepting crisis intervention team funding in the amount of $305,949 from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and appropriating set funds in the FY 2026 Behavioral Health Care Service Fund for use by BHS to assist with operation of the crisis intervention team assessment center at Maryview Hospital.

25-312 adoption of an ordinance accepting jail diversion funding in the amount of $50,451 from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and appropriating set funds in the FY 2026 Behavioral Health Care Service Fund for use by BHS to expand diversion efforts.

25-313, adoption of an ordinance accepting projects for assistance and transition from homelessness program funds in the amount of $53,715 from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and appropriating set amount in the FY 2026 Behavioral Health Care Service Fund for the provision of services to the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless.

25-314, adoption of an ordinance accepting problem gambling prevention funding in the amount of $25,000 from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and appropriating set amount in the FY 2026 Behavioral Health Care Service Fund for use by BHS to provide services designed to address problem gambling.

25-315 adoption of an ordinance accepting STEP VA funding in the amount of $12,440 from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and appropriating set funds in the FY 2026 Behavioral Health Care Service Fund for use by BHS to provide same-day access to services, case management, and psychiatric rehabilitation.

25-316 adoption of a resolution authorizing employees of the city to analyze the specifics advantages, disadvantages, and long and short-term cost of proposals submitted under the public-private education facilities and infrastructure act of 2002.

25-317 adoption of a resolution authorizing approving and authorizing the city manager to execute and deliver a First Amendment to agreement for use and support of solid waste disposal system with the SIF Southeastern Public Service Authority, and these are adopted by electronic roll call.

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

Having read all the CMRs into the record, I need a motion and a second to approve.

Move adoption.

Second any further discussion on these items?

Seeing none, please vote electronically.

One second.

Hold on.

We we we hold on.

You all moving fast.

It's okay.

Peace.

Okay, there you can vote.

Please vote electronically.

These items are adopted 70.

Thank you, madam clerk.

Yes, sir.

Our next item, new business.

Item 25-318 boards and commissions.

Councilman Hugo, are there any boards of commissions to report this tonight?

Mr.

Mayor, we have no board and commission business to report tonight.

Thank you, sir.

Our next item, item 25-319 items submitted by council members.

Councilman Tillage, sir, you have the floor.

Thank you, Mayor.

Early this month, um, I was able to participate in a community cleanup that was hosted by some members of the Clean Community Commission.

Um, and for this event, we were able to go on uh the streets of Godwin and South Street, uh, where within an hour's time frame we were able to collect 26 uh bags of trash.

Um with that being said, I want to encourage our citizens to get engaged with our clean community commission, um, take part in their meetings, take part in their community cleanups.

Uh they are looking for neighborhoods uh and civil leagues to be able to partner with to host these types of cleanups.

Um, actually pretty uh uh what's the word?

Uh it relieves some stress just to be able to walk down the street um and pick up trash for an hour.

So I just want to encourage everybody to you know please take care of our community, take care of your community, um, and let's clean up our city.

Um next this past weekend I was able to attend the trunk retreat that was hosted by our police department um and the hunted house, and I will say that they did a very very good job with that and to know that we had students from church and high school as well as new generation marching band that were a part of the theatrics of bringing the horror to life.

Uh it was it was really fun and interesting to see the kids enjoy it, uh the adults enjoyed it.

Um I enjoyed it, so uh kudos to our police department and the police chief.

And last but certainly not least, uh this month is breast cancer awareness month.

Um, and I just want to pay uh honor and homage to uh the survivors of breast cancer to the men and women who we've lost due to breast cancer, and uh uh encourage people to please please take care of your body, you know your body.

Uh please go take advantage of the uh mammogram facility that's now in Portsmouth uh to get those annual checkups.

Um you know yourself better than anybody else, and if something doesn't feel right or something looks abnormal, please get it checked out.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Councilman Hugo, sir.

You have the floor.

Thanks, Mr.

Mayor.

Uh, I move to an add an item to the agenda pertaining to the appointment of an interim city attorney.

Do we have a motion and a second to add the item to the agenda?

Move adoption.

Second.

Any discussion on this item?

Please vote electronically.

He just messed it up.

It's okay.

It's okay.

We will make it work.

This item is adopted 7-0.

Now the second part.

Mr.

Mayor, I move to appoint Derek Challenger, interim city attorney beginning the 7th of November 2025 at a salary of 192,500.

Second, we have a motion and a second.

Any additional discussion on this item.

Okay.

Any additional discussion.

Seeing none, please vote electronically.

This item is adopted 7-0.

Thank you.

Vice Mayor Moody, sir, you have the floor.

Thank thank you, Mayor.

Today is National First Responders Day, and I just like to thank our first responders for their service, their dedication.

Uh you know, I don't know where we'd be without them.

Um October the 28th is uh the day to uh honor them, and uh we certainly appreciate uh what they do for us.

So just wanted to uh mention that.

Thank you, sir.

Council Woman Bryant, ma'am.

You have the floor.

Thank you, Mayor.

Um, yes, it's been a very busy fall in October with lots of events, so it's been a pleasure seeing council at many many local events um and getting time to um interact with all of you out in the community.

So wanted to also say we enjoyed the trunk retreat.

We also made a trip to the haunted light ship, which you've never been to the light ship before.

It's very fun to see it decked out for Halloween.

Um the 50th anniversary of Safety Town, which was also a wonderful celebration of that special place.

Um it's been teaching children to be safe for decades, and I know it holds a very um fond spot in many of our hearts as parents and as students who attended.

Um we all also were able to get out to High Street Fest, which was a wonderful celebration of our community, um, and um brought together music and food and and shopping downtown.

Um, and lastly, being breast cancer awareness month, I do want to also point out that the women's imaging center on Portsmouth Boulevard is offering two new programs.

One is aimed at women who are uninsured and low and or low income, and the other is aimed at women who are high risk.

So if you know someone who falls into any of those categories, um the location at 5600 Portsmouth Boulevard has information and please make sure that you stay on top of your checkups.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

Next, uh councilwoman Thomas, ma'am.

You have the floor.

Yes, thank you, Mayor.

Um so just some news.

I know we've all been following with the government shutdown and the possibility of SNAP benefits uh being impacted as early as this Saturday, November 1st.

And I want to first thank uh city manager Mr.

Carter for providing counsel with the impact assessment for um the city, and although we can't directly make the government reopen or um impact SNAP benefits not being available, we do know that there's real impact to the residents in our city, uh approximately 22,000 as we were reported.

So uh Mr.

Carter, he did provide us an update about just some things that the city um just a framework and in terms of response called Portsmouth Cares.

And I just wanted to, I know Mr.

Carter's out, but for Mr.

Coleman, do you have any update on the that possibility of that Portsmouth Snap updates?

I know we're gonna possibly create an update page on our city website or any other information that uh might be available for our citizens in preparation of an unfortunate event such as um the the loss of SNAP benefits impacting 22,000 residents in Portsmouth.

Dr.

Carter, you have the floor, sir.

Thank you.

Take a minute.

Excuse me.

Dr.

Coleman.

I'm sorry.

Dr.

Carter.

I know what you mean, Mr.

Mayor.

Thank you, sir.

Uh councilwoman Thomas.

Um no new updates as far as the reports that you received from Mr.

Carter.

Uh there has been an edit that has come down from the governor stating what the Commonwealth of Virginia will be doing.

So that preempt is some of the measures that we were putting in place, and he'll have it covered for this uh first cycle around the month of November.

Uh, if it rolls out to December, then we may have to enact some of those things.

But right now, the uh state of the emergency that the governor issued has has the state of Virginia covered.

Uh well, I wasn't sure if we were fully aware of that yet, especially as how in terms of how much would be covered and the potential gap that our citizens might be uh filling.

So I know that we were having a list of possible food bank resources, other resources, and so can I can we get a date on I would like to get a date on when that will roll out because we know that there's a real impact in upcoming date of November 1st, and so I would hate for citizens to not have those benefits and also not have the resources of providing the the gap and some local resources really by this weekend.

So thank you.

Yes, you're welcome.

Thank you, Dr.

Coleman.

Yes, sir.

Councilman Hugo.

Yeah, thanks, Mr.

Mayor.

So while we're on that topic, Dr.

Coleman, uh one of the things that the city manager mentioned in his note to us is that we were looking into uh deferring uh payments of uh city liabilities, utility bills uh to the city, similarly to what we did during the pandemic.

Uh in the last chat I had with uh what the city manager he mentioned that y'all were working on uh being able to allow our citizens that are living without a paycheck to do uh online sign up.

So so get it that that we need folks to sign up to defer payment uh rather than making it a blanket thing.

Uh so uh in kind of follow up to uh what councilwoman Thomas asked for, if you could also include where do we stand, at what point are we gonna have the online uh sign up for uh for deferral of utility payments uh made available to our neighbors?

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

Thank you both.

Coleman I did want to let everyone know on October 3rd and 4th of this month.

We participated, we the city council participated in our second retreat of the year.

And the purpose of that retreat was for us as a council body and team to get together with our leadership team and understand what our vision is, what we're focused on as we move toward our future of improving our city and making Porsmouth the best place to live, work, play, and raise a family.

So we continue to strive for excellence in our city, and with your help, we'll make our city better together.

Just wanted to let everyone know that was going on.

Are there any other items to be submitted by council?

Seeing none, then we'll move to the next item, item 25-320, report on pending items.

Dr.

Coleman, you have the floor.

Yes, sir.

Thank you again, Mayor.

Uh the reports, and there are several of them, they have been provided by Mr.

Carter.

They're all in your package.

Um, you can take a look at those.

And that's all I have for that, Mr.

Mayor.

Councilman Dodson, sir.

You have the floor.

Yeah, I saw something online about the gift cards, and the report here seems to be a little bit behind the time.

Can is there are you able to update us on that at this time?

I'm not able to update it at this time, Councilman Dotson.

Thank you, sir.

Yes, sir.

Councilwoman Thomas, ma'am.

You have the floor.

Yes, thank you.

Just a follow-up as well, Dr.

Coleman, um, on that gift card.

Um, there was some information that was provided on social media to our citizens, so I think that's what Councilman Dotson is um referring to.

Just want to make sure for clarity for our public, those gift cards are available to seniors as well, right?

Seniors citizens.

Dr.

Coleman, you have the floor, sir.

Thank you, Mayor.

Uh, yes, ma'am, they are.

Okay.

I just want to make sure when we do the rollout that that's clear.

The language and the what this what was kind of shown to the public made that piece kind of not clear.

Okay, thank you.

I'm I'm not certain what was shown to the public.

I don't know the social media post.

Okay.

Uh, but I do know the answer to your question, which yes, seniors are available.

Okay, thank you for the clarity.

Councilman Hugo, sir, you have the floor.

Yeah, thanks, Mr.

Mayor.

So uh Dr.

Coleman, one of the things that we have been following up and following up and following up on are the uh manholes on Cedar Lane.

Uh and we still have half a dozen manholes that are well below the grade.

Um could we get one maybe follow up that like paints a date on a calendar for when we're gonna have somebody out there fixing manholes, please?

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

Councilman Dotson, sir, you have the floor.

Thank you.

Similarly, um, can we get an update on the court street um project that I walked that the other day and the alignment of the sidewalks is way off and the holes are unprotected and waiting for a lawsuit.

And I'm seriously concerned um about the progress progress.

So if we can get a timeline, not just an update, but a timeline as to how that's gonna be tackled.

I'd really appreciate that.

Okay.

Yes, sir.

Thank you, sir.

Our next item on the agenda is non-agenda speakers.

And madam clerk, would you please read the speaker statement?

Ladies and gentlemen, city council rules require a limit of up to five minutes to speak.

As you approach the speaker's podium, you will notice the timer.

At the beginning of your five minutes, you'll see a green light.

Four minutes into your remarks, she will notice a yellow light, and the end of five minutes, you will see a red light.

Hear a beep, and we ask that you conclude your comments at that time.

While speakers have an opportunity to address counsel on matters of public concern, all comments should be made in a manner that respects the seriousness of the forum and should not be made in a belligerent, sarcastic or demeaning fashion.

All remarks shall be directed to the city council as a body rather than to any particular member of city council, staff, or the audience, and should be limited to matters that only the Portsmouth City Council can influence.

A speaker who fails to observe this basic rule of decorum will be deemed out of order and not allowed to conclude his or her comments.

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

And our first speaker tonight, and Mr.

Leon Hammonds.

Mr.

Hammonds, if you would come forward, state your name and address.

Sir, you will have five minutes.

Could you please talk into the mic, sir?

Help us out a little bit.

Thank you, Mr.

Hammonds.

Haven't been here in a while.

Indeed.

Good evening, Mayor and City Council.

Uh gift cards.

I understand you got something moving.

I guess you could call it moving.

But I am disappointed with the city council, presence of the council, and past city council.

For it has taken this long to get something moving on something that should have been done a long time ago.

It doesn't make any sense to do that.

The gift cards were bought in April 2022.

First distribution of the cost was within 12 months of the purchase.

Now, if anybody knows anything about gift cards, nine times out of ten, you can't hold a gift card forever.

You're gonna lose it.

I said, wait a minute.

How come $97.50?

I haven't spent anything, I just got the thing.

So I called the card company, and that's what they told me.

$2,000 per month afterward.

The city purchased $12,100 cards.

$12,000 $100 gift cards, and $4,000 $500 gift cards.

Now I've received two figures on what's remaining.

Earlier this uh this year I received a notice there was two thousand one hundred and forty one hundred dollar gift cards.

But with the five hundred dollar gift cards, it remained at 314.

Now the 29th month on May 23rd, on May 2023, with the 13th month, it started dropping right then.

That was 29 months ago.

29 months ago.

So you can do the figure, $2 and a half.

So I don't know what to plan on giving out.

Because for the civil fact there, the $100 gift cards to my figure is worth $27.50.

That's the $100 gift cards now.

The $500 gift cards are worth $427.50.

But the but the main thing is the icing on the cake.

The city is gonna pay $18,850 to distribute $27.50 for the $100 gift cards.

All those costs was this uh uh dispersed.

It wasn't no problem on doing that.

But $18,850.

We do need money.

I'll be honest with you.

And I think you're sorry.

And these are last gift cards will be done over six months period of time.

Do the same dispute to all those calls with dis uh uh disperse it wouldn't no problem on doing that but eighteen thousand eight hundred and fifty dollars we do need money I'll be honest with you because really we wasted and uh thank you oh yeah I'm sorry and needs at last gets called will be done over six months period of time now do the figures again 2750 cent or with six month period with two dollars and a half being being deducted every month starting next month is 2750 this month start again next month now thank you thank you sir our next speaker is Miss Donna Biggs Miss Biggs if you would come forward state your name and address you will have five minutes good evening my name is Donna Biggs and I live in the Woodvine Farms neighborhood and this item is about the feedback on the legislative affairs presentation last night so good evening enforcers of the people's civil rights by our Virginia Constitution Bill of Rights as a Virginian.

I would like to share with you how I was affected by the legislative affairs presentation last night.

I was concerned first of all by not being informed to be at the table when this meeting was called to make decisions regarding the needs of the people living and visiting our community.

I would like to review with everyone how the government was created to meet the needs of the people.

Needs are listed on a level of priority.

See our first priority is to live by having our physiological needs met.

No matter what environment we are in.

Group membership at work, it includes opportunity to interact, network, team best uh, team-based work, and friendly co-workers.

The next level for the family is responsibility for self, respect, recognition, sense of accomplishment, equity in the workplace.

The needs are freedom to make decisions, status symbols, recognition, awards, challenging work, opportunity for advancement, shared decision making.

And that ain't happening.

Because I'm excluded.

Thank you, ma'am.

Our next speaker is Mr.

William Richardson.

Mr.

Richardson, if you would come forward, state your name and address.

You will have five minutes.

Good evening.

Good evening.

Good evening.

Ms.

Graham, you're leaving us, huh?

Yes, sir.

Many battles.

I want to piggyback off of what Ms.

Donald Biggs said.

There was a contract.

Sir, I need you to state your name and address for the record.

My name is William Richardson, also known as Bink Richardson, the owner of Richardson Top of the Line Tree Service, the first African American Isaac certified state artist in the state of Virginia.

Is absolutely correct.

There was a contract that was not fulfilled, but there has been a runaround with it.

And that's why I'm here.

All right.

Certain people that run parts of the city agreed during a voluntary cleanup at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery in May of 21.

And no, they did not follow through.

They did not follow through, and I had to turn around and follow through.

I spoke with every city manager, even the present one about the situation.

One of the city managers was actually the chief, was the chief financial officer at the time that said that I was supposed to be reimbursed for what I spent when waste management didn't do that job.

I've asked for meetings, and I was told that I would not get the meeting because I supposed to be suing the city.

I haven't hired an attorney.

As a small business, no small business should be affected by your city.

Your city should not benefit off a small business.

One was paid, and what was it?

It was just wiped away.

Something that I did out of pocket and then didn't expect to have to come more out of pocket when the agreement from the city didn't happen.

At that time, there was no contract to do a voluntary act in the city.

So there was so there had to be some type of understanding that this was done.

Suing my city hurts my city.

And off the record, we've had conversations about not suing the city.

On the record, we've had conversations about not suing the city, but for some reason, they think I'm trying to sue the city.

I haven't hired anybody.

Thank you, sir.

And our last speaker for the evening, Mr.

David House.

Mr.

House, if you would come forward, state your name and address, sir.

You will have five minutes.

Good evening.

Excuse me, mayor, vice mayor, city council.

Sir I come I come before you.

So I live at Simon Still section of Porchman.

So I come before you in frustration.

Um with interaction by the by the um city manager.

So as you know, um the House brothers are advocates for the city trying to make improvements and trying to make the city a better place.

So reached out to came to tank came to city council on um August the 26th, and I approached y'all about a property at Harding and Progress Avenue.

There's two residential properties that had houses, I mean had cars, boats, all kinds of equipment on there, uh trailers, people living in there.

And um at that time, uh Mr.

Carter said, was this gonna be one of your one of your things for for next month?

I said, No, I'm not gonna give it to you that easy.

I'm not gonna give you the carrot.

But five days later, I ended up on the 31st of August, sending it to each and every one of you, city council, zoning, zoning wasn't on there, and city manager.

So when I got my response back from him per our agreement that he he met with us, that item was not even on the on the agenda addressed.

Plus another one that's listed on the front page was not addressed, and I addressed this back to him on October the 5th.

So I just got my new data, and I'm still missing the ones from the previous month.

So that's a that's a character issue.

I mean, he he he he met with me.

It took him 15 months to meet with me.

He reached out to me the first day he was on the job and reached out and said, I want to speak to you and your brother.

Because I want I want you I want to see how how we can envision to make the city a better place.

And Mr.

Mr.

Vice Mayor, you're the one that says that the city can can do sanctions or something against the properties or take action against the properties, levy taxes or whatever, because they're in such disarray.

Okay.

I'm just trying to, I'm just trying to identify properties that have been blighted in the in the community.

I'm not trying to do anything other than other than saying, hey, why don't y'all go take take a look at these properties for yourself?

It hasn't changed in two months.

It's the same place.

There's two trailers on the property right now.

Okay, people living in them, okay.

They were living in a in a suburban road by their date night's Thursday for us.

We go and suffer, eat something, and we re ride by this area just to see what it looks like.

It's it's sad, okay, that that no action has been done after we were promised that action would be taken.

And so now, deputy manager, I guess this falls on you to take back to Mr.

Carter and ask why why he dropped the ball.

So my so my issue is we he gave us a time frame, okay.

He he didn't meet the first time frame, missed it by a day.

The third second time I called, I sent an email on Sunday night, three days after his time frame was late, and then he responded back to me at 11:30 at night with three issues, not five.

And this last one was a day late.

Okay.

So this is council.

Council, you're over charge, you're in charge of Mr.

House.

Yes, sir.

Mr.

House.

Well, what one thing I need you to understand is we we appreciate what you bring before council, and you have a right, but we we put in our council rules and in the comments.

We're not to call out individual names and all of those types of things because at the end of the day, we understand we as a city, our department heads are responsible for carrying out what the council oversees to get done, and that's our manager.

So I understand.

Sir, nope, no, no, let me finish.

So we're not gonna have that anymore.

We're not gonna call out, and we're not gonna call people that they're derelect or whatever.

If you have something, hold on.

I didn't call them derailing.

You spoke to the character.

Sir, I'm not going to have a debate with you.

You spoke to the character issue, and that's not acceptable.

And we, as counsel, will take the appropriate steps if it is with a manager who reports directly to us as a council.

So all I need you to do is continue on with your discussion as to what you want to say, leave out all of the extra stuff, and then we will conclude your comments.

I'm full of understanding.

Thank you all for coming tonight and share your comments with our city council.

Have a safe evening.