Virginia Beach City Council Meeting – April 29, 2026

This meeting of the Virginia Beach City Council covered several major topics including electoral board recommendations for campaign tents at the new voting facility, the e-bike safety task force report, budget presentations from multiple departments, a planning agenda preview, and council discussions on public safety and community issues.

Electoral Board Tents Recommendation

• The Electoral Board (Chair Nanette Miller, Vice Chair Amy Myers, Secretary Laura Lee Grimm) presented a proposal to allow each major political party to erect a tent near the entrance of the new voting building to provide shade and shelter for volunteers. The proposal came after observing that the building lacks natural shade and that volunteers had previously stored items in trees, creating litter.
• Council members discussed placement: some preferred tents spread apart rather than side-by-side, but the Board noted the north side is muddy and flood-prone, so side-by-side placement on dry ground was simplest. The Board clarified tents would be collapsible overnight and not used for signage; parties would alternate locations fairly.
• Councilmember Michael questioned the impact on voters feeling intimidated by a "fort" of signs. He sought clarity on rules about volunteers standing on sidewalks, signs attached to chairs, and campaign vehicles with signs. City Attorney Mark Stiles noted that the most legally defensible position is to prohibit all signage and expressive activity except what is content-neutral.
• Councilmember Henley asked about enforcement and fairness: if one party violates rules, the proposal would punish both parties by deeming the area a no-candidate zone. The Board agreed to revisit that language.
• After debate, council expressed general support for the Electoral Board's recommendations and directed the city manager and attorney to draft an updated administrative directive, which will be circulated before finalizing. The goal is to have rules in place before the June 18 early voting start.

E-Bike Safety Task Force Recommendations

• Co-chairs Jeannie Cox Evans and Chuck Kidd presented the task force's findings after four meetings. The task force focused on education, enforcement, and state-level advocacy.
• Key recommendations included: expanding signage in high-density areas and school zones; advocating for state legislation to allow local speed regulation and registration; supporting a statewide e-bike work group; and allowing e-bikes on the bike path adjacent to the boardwalk with a recommended speed limit (8-10 mph).
• Council debate centered on the boardwalk bike path issue. Vice Mayor Wilson supported allowing e-bikes on the bike path to accommodate older riders, but Councilwoman Henley and others argued enforcement is already lacking and e-bikes would stray onto the pedestrian boardwalk, endangering visitors. Councilwoman Rosemary added that 14 million annual visitors cannot be educated easily.
• Councilmember Josh noted concerns about e-bike gangs and high speeds in neighborhoods and school zones. Several members stressed the difficulty of distinguishing e-bike classes visually.
• Ultimately, council agreed to accept the task force's recommendations and proceed with implementation, including pursuing state authority and improving local education and signage.

Planning Agenda Preview (May 5 and May 19)

• Planning staff briefed council on 14 pending items, including subdivision variances, street closures, conditional use permits (CUP) for a day care, e-bike rental, wildlife rehab, short-term rentals, and an ordinance amendment for crematories in industrial districts. No council action was taken; items will be heard on the respective meeting dates.

Budget Presentations

• Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB): Director Nancy Hellman reported a $45 million budget with 116 FTE. Highlights included the Virginia Beach Sports Center generating 170,000 hotel room nights and new events like the Super Girls Surf Festival. A increased marketing spend from the TAP fund is planned.
• Economic Development CIP: Acting Director Emily Archer presented 21 projects totaling $62.3 million over six years, with $35.9 million in FY27. Key changes included $5.5 million for Pembroke Square parking garage acquisition and $25 million for new resort parking.
• Cultural Affairs: Director Emily LeBo highlighted the 20% meals tax dedication to arts, which funds grants and initiatives like the Francis Land House restoration and a new public art project in Kempsville.
• Parks & Recreation: Director Michael Kirshn reported record visitation (7 million visits/year), an 8% year-over-year increase. Proposed budget includes: conversion of part-time to full-time positions; a new natural resources management unit to maintain parks like Bow Creek Stormwater Park; park rangers (3 full-time positions starting) to reduce police calls; and continued security camera installations.
  • Several council members (Henley, Wilson, Berlucci, Stacy) advocated for funding a cross-country practice track at the Princess Anne Complex (estimated $500,000 for a practice trail) and increased trail maintenance funding ($100,000 currently). The city manager noted the ITA update will provide a comprehensive plan; council may consider seed money in reconciliation.

School Funding Formula Update

• Budget Director Kevin Cherdelier presented a proposal to extend the existing revenue-sharing formula for one year (to June 30, 2027) and to add language requiring parity in health insurance premiums between city and school employees. If schools want lower premiums, they must submit a resolution explaining the change.
• Council members (Henley, Wilson) supported the formula as a key tool to avoid past budget conflicts. Councilmember Henley asked about potential state windfalls for schools and whether the city could hold back some formula funding; staff noted that the city appropriates any additional state revenue after adoption.
• Council gave consensus to move forward with the proposed extension and parity language.

Council Comments

• Public Safety: Mayor discussed the recent curfew decision for week 17, calling it a difficult but necessary step to prevent violence. He noted the city's police shortage (86 officers down) and the need for state and federal action. Councilmembers Stacy and Rosemary reported on a stakeholder meeting about traffic diversion at the Oceanfront; the city manager said the pilot program will not be used again this season due to implementation issues. Council discussed enforcing public cannabis smoking (civil penalty) and urged hospitality businesses to cooperate.
• Other: Councilmember Henley announced the Crush Cancer event (Sunday, 10am-3pm, Cavalier Yacht & Country Club) and defended the meals tax as vital for debt service, schools, and police. She also proposed naming the Owl Creek boat ramp after the late Barry Knight. Councilmember Wilson reported on a State of the Region interview and a meeting with the NAACP housing committee.

Key Outcomes

• City council directed staff to update the administrative directive on campaign tents based on the Electoral Board's recommendations and to circulate before finalization.
• Council accepted the e-bike task force recommendations and directed staff to proceed with implementation, including state advocacy.
• Council gave consensus to extend the school funding formula through June 30, 2027, and to add health insurance parity language.
• Parks & Recreation budget discussion included potential seed funding for a cross-country track and increased trail maintenance, to be determined during reconciliation.
• Council acknowledged the need for improved traffic management and enforcement collaboration with Oceanfront stakeholders.