[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6279396,"mediaKeyId","2623824-c0eff0287a53d131de48df471a19ecae","parentId",2623824,"title","Votes at a glance: Planning appointment, school reappropriation and opioid mobile-response funding approved","audioSeconds",3836,"startMs",354000,"endMs",4190000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2623824-c0eff0287a53d131de48df471a19ecae&start=354&end=4190","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2623824-c0eff0287a53d131de48df471a19ecae/thumbnail_354000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6279396/Hopewell/Prince-George-County/Virginia/Votes-at-a-glance-Planning-appointment-school-reappropriation-and-opioid-mobile-response-funding-approved","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279396-7f1c0a61f14251d53f11dcb988da8794/orig.mp4?Expires=1776498584&Signature=PSfbJlw2nnPmRWo3u0EIc8chJFd7u8teAPk~f7-zOLYjg8j8078Ep0JdXaWnySSJ0rCE6DBtplwLBb3OCz2YZhDiNC3wBc8HUuz5grz6WuD2NYsvsqPNKIhxvsiVFGZyQHKcgW~SGr0Yz2-IV-aGFQMdnZt-XorKQNDHek8NccStncT2au7P~GRoWt3Ie6IWigedRSrqIiVYVkRplhGJoc77yE4474EnyuRZHzRFmKqTamh4uYCMkM2jgbLSYzTem8flpAXme7a4rGtKp8-qQBZmk4bXwXZNxS20GIfxy-0lrQm9GaIJPejnTviGb2IedGSzFWR2qiz8jklCkc5IFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Hopewell, Virginia","date","2025-03-11T00:00:00Z","article","At the close of deliberations the City Council recorded several formal votes on appointments and funding items.

Appointment: Planning Commission
Motion: Appoint Mr. Arnold Gay to the Planning Commission.
Mover/Second: Motion made by Vice Mayor Joiner, seconded by Councilor Ellis.
Roll call and outcome: Vice Mayor Joiner — yes; Councilor Harris — yes; Mayor Parton — yes; Councilor Ellis — yes; Councilor Day — recused; Councilor Stokes — no; Councilor Holloway — yes. The motion was recorded as passing 5–1 (with one recusal). Council discussion included a conflict-of-interest inquiry about whether a spouse’s service on council would be disqualifying; the city attorney advised each councilor must make their own voting determination and that no disqualifying conflict was identified for the appointee.

Reappropriation of unspent school funds (R1)
Motion: Approve reappropriation of unspent funds created by the city and designate those funds for capital needs of the Hopewell School System (resolution presented; amount not specified in the meeting presentation).
Mover/Second: Motion and second recorded in meeting packet; public roll call recorded.
Roll call and outcome: Vice Mayor Joiner — yes; Councilor Harris — yes; Mayor Parton — yes; Councilor Ellis — yes; Councilor Day — yes; Councilor Stokes — yes; Councilor Holloway — yes. Motion passed unanimously, 7–0. During discussion, councilors debated historical rollovers of school funds and whether reappropriations should be earmarked to capital projects rather than used to balance operating budgets in future years; staff said prior rollovers had supported annual school budgets and the current request would direct funds to capital needs.

Opioid mobile-response cooperative (R2)
Motion: Approve the City of Hopewell entering a cooperative partnership agreement with District 19 Community Services and surrounding localities to provide a mobile overdose response unit and approve funding of $41,317 from opioid-related funds for FY26–FY30 as proposed.
Mover/Second: Motion made by Councilor Holloway and seconded by Councilor Harris.
Roll call and outcome: Vice Mayor Joiner — yes; Councilor Harris — yes; Mayor Parton — yes; Councilor Ellis — yes; Councilor Day — yes; Councilor Stokes — yes; Councilor Holloway — yes. Motion passed unanimously, 7–0. Presenters said the approved $41,317 would come from opioid-related state allocations that would otherwise lapse if not used in cooperative agreements.

Other procedural votes
Council approved motions to enter closed session under Virginia Code §2.2-3711 for personnel and contract discussions and subsequently certified the closed session; those procedural motions passed by roll call (recorded 7–0) and the certification was read on the record.

Why it matters: The appointments and funding votes allocate authority and resources for planning, school capital needs, and opioid-response services. The school reappropriation and opioid cooperative include fiscal commitments; the appointment fills a Planning Commission seat subject to recusal for at least one councilor.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Regular Meeting 11 March 2025 City of Hopewell","oneSentenceSummary","City Council approved an appointment to the Planning Commission and voted unanimously to reappropriate school funds and to join a multi‑jurisdictional opioid mobile‑response cooperative with a $41,317 funding commitment.","taxTitle","Hopewell, Prince George County, Virginia","taxId",55142,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6279402,"Police pitch $999,000 public-safety technology package to link shot detection, LPR and cameras",366,2444000,2810000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2623824-c0eff0287a53d131de48df471a19ecae&start=2444&end=2810","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2623824-c0eff0287a53d131de48df471a19ecae/thumbnail_2444000.jpg","/articles/6279402/Hopewell/Prince-George-County/Virginia/Police-pitch-999000-public-safety-technology-package-to-link-shot-detection-LPR-and-cameras","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279402-5331ec9047e5f37854db93b528a8ac4c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776498584&Signature=HcPxA6RVQ0IgNsZMlwtl4SuMV~MzDi5m8btCUUuAc20HF86YJfZge7jkXulAU82pk3yv7lKxxxE-WLqLYu-gvo8eEsDqXlxBnLnjPSYKHSrzcTbM~YjTp-0dxoTwIknwdawIbLzq2I6sYLH00Ine8V1oBDVqRyOJ0dZ7MTxJ6hKq5FwUsFZOHpMPQsmndDMfUBodzAeRyCHq8VYD51A1ybKbb~umjD5eIv2R-ubC8QFrr6zQFiJ0JcuH6gAqi8V3RUa27X0ok7A7i3Rnm11sOhLj0Ikd0bwYeyoTK7zqvEZ5Mdq4JIIJCDiKnG3BEQbVUp5SNbLebmP~~FCXrp8dGw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The police department presented a proposal to centralize camera feeds, add gunshot-detection sensors and expand license-plate-reader (LPR) integration to improve response and investigation capabilities.

Major Reid outlined a Flock system package combining shot-detection sensors, expanded LPRs and software that would centralize existing cameras and alert officers in real time. Reid said the full package presented to council totaled $999,000 and would be submitted for federal funding (COPS Technology grants and an additional “burn” grant funding referenced in the meeting). He said the City could register 700 additional cameras from citizens and businesses with owner approval and tie drones and other sensors into the platform.

Major Reid said the estimated ongoing city cost after the grant period would be about $496,100 (presented as an estimate over a two‑year period) but added that the recurring cost could be reduced by narrowing geographic coverage or removing some Raven (gunshot-detection) units. He described expected benefits as improved officer safety, faster response, investigative leads via LPR matches, and the ability to integrate the system with 911 dispatch.

Why it matters: The package would expand surveillance technology and raise questions about cost, privacy and long-term maintenance. Major Reid said the system would reduce response times and help investigations; he sought council approval to prepare a formal application and return for award approval. No final approval was requested at this meeting; staff said they will bring a formal request when the federal appropriation windows and project details align.

Councilors asked about annual maintenance costs and longer-term city budgeting for operations; Major Reid said the two-year cost estimate would likely be reduced after data-driven scope adjustments.","The police department asked council to support pursuing federal grants for a $999,000 public‑safety technology package that would centralize cameras, add gunshot detection and expand license‑plate‑reader integration.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6279406,"City staff pitches HUD CDBG earmark for community center upgrades and seeks match for possible water earmark",255,1803000,2058000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2623824-c0eff0287a53d131de48df471a19ecae&start=1803&end=2058","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2623824-c0eff0287a53d131de48df471a19ecae/thumbnail_1803000.jpg","/articles/6279406/Hopewell/Prince-George-County/Virginia/City-staff-pitches-HUD-CDBG-earmark-for-community-center-upgrades-and-seeks-match-for-possible-water-earmark","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279406-aadd0ca1975d730a5e39f4fe27270a14/orig.mp4?Expires=1776498584&Signature=ILS0qu5Dac9EGXa7tPT5aFe89sEv8VPhwUvRv5jj17RXYhk9na1lkBgRF3-vqi9-AJxmKTFsnkl~XIMSFoXDq~YG3Mp~rMTeiONj9B0WODRW8xilORGFUv8fjbdGFpHaydJ-kV9Ju~vKKXZfkXvCBRilf5IvdsTRwTp3WWHWK~IUJMDah6tzNacrNEicYpEeA95KDeWWpwwC4-c4NesA7nOeldxXFZ8buqQJm~A0Mo0y8ZU8TWMX7zn0qKViKg0Gu~68T5s3Irf0kdjV2qWkWG7kyWo-k0Z52JiqqXi2F1zDzZcoABZLtJS9Lxg0yZwlWGCSA0CG4zEqZuiPzgFhrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff said they will pursue federal earmark funding to upgrade the Hopewell Community Center and asked council to consider a later formal request for support on a separate water-project earmark that would require a local match.

Charles Bennett (presenting with recreation staff for an informational briefing) told council grant writers identified a good match between HUD’s Community Development Block Grant earmark program and community center projects such as air‑conditioning, ventilation and accessible locker-room upgrades. Bennett said CDBG is an entitlement program for Hopewell and that the city’s typical annual allocation is roughly $245,000. He said the community-center project sits in the City’s capital plan and — if awarded — earmark funds would replace local capital funds the city would otherwise have to provide.

Public works director Mike Crocker briefed council on a separate earmark avenue for water projects. Crocker said a typical ask for such a project would be up to $2 million, and that the earmark is structured as an 80/20 award — meaning the City would need to provide 20% of the project cost. He said timing requires the project to commence near the end of calendar year 2026; when a specific project is selected staff will return with an item requiring a council vote because of the local match obligation.

Why it matters: Earmarks can replace local capital dollars but can also require the locality to supply a match and meet schedules. Bennett said improvements to community amenities are part of the City’s economic‑development strategy; Crocker said water projects carry a substantive local funding commitment and a fast timeline if the City applies and wins.

No formal action was requested at the presentation; staff said they will return to council with formal funding requests when project scopes and match requirements are known.","Economic development and public works staff briefed council on pursuing a HUD Community Development Block Grant earmark to upgrade the Hopewell Community Center (AC/ventilation, locker-room accessibility) and described a separate potential water infrastructure earmark that would be an 80/20 grant requiring a local 20% match.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6279410,"Staff recommends vacating 736 sq ft public right-of-way next to West End Presbyterian Church",76,579000,655000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2623824-c0eff0287a53d131de48df471a19ecae&start=579&end=655","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2623824-c0eff0287a53d131de48df471a19ecae/thumbnail_579000.jpg","/articles/6279410/Hopewell/Prince-George-County/Virginia/Staff-recommends-vacating-736-sq-ft-public-right-of-way-next-to-West-End-Presbyterian-Church","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279410-0a8fb42d52ad5178f4151e8b49c8fb9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776498584&Signature=F3OxySzdHOl4ms6judOlWQsDm0M00gGvPQQpIt21DDXhw1l9dP~25IGuy~ydfkj~9jafuBZ4dAgGrNP2fbK9KklaD4uMjbwD5EP1hyZ9EevxVak-GZIFPo2KNpa8vXu7J1YqcHyp1~5f3S2QottNczTpufItxyVb2ntY8jd-jFRRYaLQVgP5IekEeoHEpPPXZxowwB-MXbw5DkrJzMO8SqbI6QCsFWlY3LNTisbOTi~EYLueSfSwwdpkLzjbBNA1y-yuPAVxA-NtKFP4d5-xPbyjW2sk~TyKsCfs9fJuHYiOfNf-Fx8GhyfhDbW1omuBApqslodxt5eHV-saGs5IMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City planning staff presented a right-of-way vacation request for a small public strip adjacent to 319 Maryland Avenue and recommended council approve the vacation, saying no utilities or stormwater easements would be affected.

Planning staff (identified in the meeting as Mr. Ward) said the right-of-way in question is enclosed between parcel IDs 0240510 and 0240430, is roughly 736 square feet, lies in Ward 2 and is zoned R-2. Ward said City departments — including public works, water renewal and stormwater — found no utilities or easements within the right-of-way, and staff saw no likely future municipal use for the dead-end piece.

The applicant named in the presentation was West End Presbyterian Church of Hopewell; an aerial image shown to council highlighted the right-of-way area in red. Staff said vacating the parcel would remove an obstacle to the church’s ability to expand on its adjacent property.

Why it matters: Right-of-way vacations transfer control of public land and can enable private development or expansion; staff recommended approval on the basis there were no utilities affected and no likely public need for the dead-end strip. No formal council vote was recorded on the request during the work session; staff said the matter was being circulated to departments and the item would return to the council for final action.

No motion or vote was taken at the work session; staff recommended approval and asked council for questions.","City staff told council a 736-square-foot public right-of-way adjoining parcels at 319 Maryland Avenue (Ward 2, R-2 zoning) can be vacated without interfering with utility easements; staff recommended approval at the work session.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6279415,"Council hears split over Nova South pool agreement as staff warns of operating losses",915,727000,1642000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2623824-c0eff0287a53d131de48df471a19ecae&start=727&end=1642","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2623824-c0eff0287a53d131de48df471a19ecae/thumbnail_727000.jpg","/articles/6279415/Hopewell/Prince-George-County/Virginia/Council-hears-split-over-Nova-South-pool-agreement-as-staff-warns-of-operating-losses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279415-2b0b789f1c0cb53434956b4632cd9d64/orig.mp4?Expires=1776498584&Signature=LfjzZjiJSwSHWlrB6aUi~J8nYuDgnqcEFlYSLUOydjrhQSv0TL6WavMWFW9Ltjcd4fOBZbUzhgiYKkoF6ReCzbMaWf9uWgOBYgfYla-0x542YUuPaQBPTTXbF~i6uh7FSYFQGXAfbOwIli6GFF5pBLDyRcR-Rbt6HhLlU5m8uhbPvlbusBKw-1y0QmxXFKlWvX68m4Bm~WU0PQB4CBQiokSWaczgxTPLbJAGsYYxkHH01-1cJbm-~fv~~~vRTk7eYKd~QK8K5HF6UXu-9i7hEQsDM~yKCrDXklgRebLyjOxVPajCGh~s4S7fpBLwNBWdYgwIzcoCa2oE8IxUfejtMg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Council reviewed a proposed memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Nova South seeking expanded exclusive lane time at the Hopewell Community Center pool, and staff warned the schedule requested would cost the city more to operate than it would bring in.

The recreation director, identified in the meeting as Miss Martinez, told council the current lane rate in the MOA is $11 per lane per hour and that, under the club’s original request to use five lanes outside normal hours, the city would lose about $1,162.80 per week because the City generates roughly $396 in lane rental revenue for those sessions. Martinez said moving the lane rental rate to $15 per hour would lower the weekly loss to $1,018.80. She recommended the original MOA to staff but described a possible middle-ground schedule under which Nova South would use four lanes Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings, four lanes on other days during certain public hours, and six lanes on Saturday mornings when the facility is closed to the public.

Why it matters: Councilors framed the decision as a trade-off between preserving resident access to the pool for lessons and public programming and keeping an outside swim team that brings some use and (limited) revenue. Martinez said the city would need an additional aquatics program specialist for four months at a cost of $4,680 per month (total $18,720) to staff the expanded hours and that resuming Saturday hours plus weekday expansions would cost the City about $155,360.40 annually.

Council discussion focused on two questions: (1) whether the City should subsidize expanded hours so the team remains, and (2) whether the City can staff extra hours without diverting resources from resident programs. Martinez said she has made an offer to an aquatics specialist and is onboarding one candidate; a second specialist would be required to support the proposed schedule. She also said the City risks losing the swim team if the original MOA terms are adopted without further negotiation.

Council members asked that staff bring Nova South and City representatives together for direct negotiation and directed no immediate decision. Martinez said she would seek a joint meeting with the team to pursue a middle ground that preserves resident access while attempting to keep the swim team in Hopewell.

No formal vote was taken; the item remained in work-session discussion with staff directed to return with a negotiated MOA and clearer cost estimates.","Council discussed a proposed memorandum of agreement with swim club Nova South that would extend pool use outside normal hours. Recreation staff warned the City would lose roughly $1,162.80 per week under the current lane-rental terms and requested $18,720 to hire a temporary aquatics specialist to cover four months of expanded service.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Planning appointment, school reappropriation and opioid mobile-response funding approved

Police pitch $999,000 public-safety technology package to link shot detection, LPR and cameras

City staff pitches HUD CDBG earmark for community center upgrades and seeks match for possible water earmark

Staff recommends vacating 736 sq ft public right-of-way next to West End Presbyterian Church

Council hears split over Nova South pool agreement as staff warns of operating losses