Portsmouth City Council Meeting – June 9, 2026

The meeting began with a broadband committee update and later transitioned to a regular city council session. Key discussions included a fiber network update, proposed parking ordinance changes, a new blighted and derelict property tax, and public comments on various community issues.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes from the February 10th and May 12th meetings were approved by roll call vote (all present except Ms. Glover and Ms. Thomas).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Donna Biggs (Woodbine Farms) spoke on the townhouse use permit, questioning developer outreach to the precinct and urging homeless commission involvement.
• Non-agenda speakers:
  • James Thompson (1327 Richmond Avenue) proposed building boxable tiny homes on 3.5 acres for homeless, offering design plans but requesting city support.
  • John Hanson (4025 Forest Tales Drive) criticized Dominion's 5000K LED streetlights, calling them harmful to residents and wildlife, and recommended 3000K amber lights.
  • Coleman Young (Denwitty Street) urged the city to expedite an RFP for a pavilion operator to attract musical acts and boost downtown revenue.
  • Alexandra Westfall (4102 Scott Street) expressed frustration that resident feedback on West Haven development was dismissed by the BZA, asked what metric would move the needle.
  • Shirley Petterford Cherry (London Oaks) requested a city meeting with management to address ongoing gun violence and crime in London Oaks, noting the community feels invisible.
  • Donna Biggs (again) raised concerns about communication gaps, enforcement of codes, and workplace conditions for constitutional officers.
  • Sheila Joseph (Maplewood area) asked for timely installation of already-approved neighborhood signs and better communication on city code enforcement.
  • Tony Goodwin (Parkview) urged the council to conduct an economic impact study before raising parking rates, citing lessons from the tunnel toll fight; suggested parking management improvements.

Discussion Items

• Fiber Broadband Update: Acting CIO Scarlet Capril reported three outcomes: Danella submitted railroad right-of-entry update to GWRR; junction boxes marked on Churchland Bridge; ODU point of contact secured for tri-city fiber crossing. Approximately 88-89% of the network is complete; final connections at Churchland Bridge, ODU, and Tri-Cities will complete the redundant ring. RFPs for fiber operations and maintenance are being finalized. A glossary of terms and a revised rollout timeline will be presented in August.
• Parking Ordinance Changes: Staff proposed a new parking structure with first two hours free, then $4/hr on High Street, $2/hr elsewhere, enforcement Monday–Saturday 6am–10pm, and $8 Sunday flat rate. After extensive discussion, council directed: first two hours free in all paid areas, $3/hr on High Street after two hours, enforcement Monday–Friday 8am–6pm only, weekends free. Special event parking remains free for now with further study. Wayfinding signs, mobile pay stations, and business validation options will be explored. Staff will bring back a revised ordinance.
• Blighted & Derelict Structure Tax: City Assessor Steve Edwards introduced a new property classification adding 5% tax on blighted and 10% on derelict properties, effective July 1 following classification. Appeals process available. Council emphasized urgency and asked staff to bring the ordinance back for a vote in July.
• Meeting Schedule: Council consensus to move from monthly to bimonthly meetings (starting in August) to align with project milestones. Calendar invites will be sent, and a workshop for new members was suggested.
• New Business: Councilman Hugo encouraged applications for boards and commissions. Upcoming events highlighted: Sail Virginia 2026 (June 19–22), Crawford Bay Development Update meeting (June 11), and recognition of the Government 101 graduating class.
• Introduction of New Deputy City Manager: Derek Keltner was introduced as the new deputy city manager for operations, bringing 19 years of experience from VDOT.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes of February 10th and May 12th approved.
• Use permit (UP-26-01) for three townhouse units at 531 Edwards Street adopted 6-0.
• Use permit (UP-26-02) for warehouse use at 935 Queen Street adopted 6-0.
• Public hearing item UP-26-03 deferred to July 14th meeting.
• Consent agenda grants adopted 6-0: $402,769.37 from VDOE for child/adult care food program, and $933,652 from DEQ for stormwater local assistance fund.
• Parking direction given: first two hours free, $3/hr on High Street after two hours, enforcement Mon–Fri 8am–6pm, weekends free. Staff to bring back ordinance.
• Blighted property ordinance to be brought back for vote in July.
• Meeting schedule changed to bimonthly; next meeting in August.
• Staff to report on reserved parking spaces at King Square lot and on cost of 24/7 enforcement for residential parking permits.