[{"_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",6156607,"mediaKeyId","5468667-79af05703cbf6bc283ee28aac0ad0862","parentId",5468667,"title","Local restaurateur describes community programs, requests business relief options from council","audioSeconds",432,"startMs",1435000,"endMs",1867000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5468667-79af05703cbf6bc283ee28aac0ad0862&start=1435&end=1867","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5468667-79af05703cbf6bc283ee28aac0ad0862/thumbnail_1435000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6156607/Portsmouth/Norfolk-County/Virginia/Local-restaurateur-describes-community-programs-requests-business-relief-options-from-council","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6156607-b62c672c410d17b3fcaca78e5da2f2e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183810&Signature=ErZhOltyf7YGO63ghjUOm2EB8aO8jJuOVoS62KGH0lcqbhE6QI0rzsFSUL-DIZQdppetky4mBWAnx~jdW0zDRZBaFurnJqA4iM1tWqSb37qGq8LNNL1ztaIQqDjo8cCdiKk1l2OK55YuuSd0enjFz8BLSEZ8jprPhSXCNJ8b79JH5fYmwEzPPUVyfZ-T6TcAK7z5WpiJIOyXYS7T04nFCEFBYoJBu0p8oV9vYg2mFSYMNQpXEfR~aD10F4as6uY3Iw0RCInrWiqQzsM9l1F45AHub2PUVqM9K7N42HahdSkaS~FMh-dPLf0deOAEu2KBH63QQU5e7FkN9~7iYtJzIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Portsmouth","date","2025-07-25T01:32:53.157Z","article","Rachel Copeland, owner of Cooper’s restaurant at 3112 High Street, used her five-minute public-comment time Wednesday to describe community programming her business offers and to ask city leaders for more ways to support local businesses that provide social services.

Copeland described Project Phoenix, a Christian-based substance-use and PTSD support group her restaurant hosts weekly, a monthly movie night series for families and youth, and a Feed-the-Children card program allowing school counselors to distribute vouchers for free meals. “When my restaurant is gone, I want my restaurant's legacy to be the good I did in this community,” she said.

She asked the council to consider mechanisms that would make it easier for small businesses (non-501(c)(3) entities) to access grant funds or tax relief when they provide community outreach. Copeland also raised a separate complaint about toll charges; Councilman Tillich responded that toll relief would require General Assembly action and suggested Copeland contact her state delegate or senator; he offered to help connect her with the appropriate lawmaker.

Councilwoman Bryant said she shared Copeland’s Feed-the-Children program details with the social-services department and that staff are “plugged in” to follow up.

Why it matters: small businesses that provide community services often lack nonprofit status and therefore may not qualify for grant funding; council members directed Copeland to state-level representatives for toll-relief concerns and discussed local referrals to social services.

Outcome: council members acknowledged Copeland’s work, offered contact routes to state representatives for toll issues and confirmed social services will follow up regarding food-insecurity connections; no formal council action was taken.

Taper: Copeland left flyers and offered to meet with staff and council members for follow-up.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Portsmouth City Council Meeting July 22, 2025 Portsmouth Virginia","oneSentenceSummary","Rachel Copeland, owner of Cooper's restaurant, described programs her business runs to support families and recovery and asked council to explore ways to help small businesses access grants and toll relief.","taxTitle","Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia","taxId",4040,"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},6156613,"Local resident urges Portsmouth to consider ranked-choice voting, rebuts common objections",204,1212000,1416000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5468667-79af05703cbf6bc283ee28aac0ad0862&start=1212&end=1416","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5468667-79af05703cbf6bc283ee28aac0ad0862/thumbnail_1212000.jpg","/articles/6156613/Portsmouth/Norfolk-County/Virginia/Local-resident-urges-Portsmouth-to-consider-ranked-choice-voting-rebuts-common-objections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6156613-6d4df170134da58400b50db94e4cc7ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183810&Signature=iCJStcBChPcRz4icbD8P87DsFtd~IRcMnR3zC7jzhHM-Qb6z3~ONrOwNVZ5nR~VsCVjnNGOl~d35xQdSm-4evTMOy3cpOVr9pTugyu6~IaLaLRQqQeDCmLGrmUo6rzxh2g9KERvFoHkbznca2LfdsYIBtx5laWKfP8dK10-8cquCWe0fBd200hFTx4B5IASim8tSh9z0icJikoA2d1M1kQKkM7qq5K~4jfqnGFrcMF3JAx2ntwngennsE1He5NUFiD~JPo9hkz~wB4XSFTZ7P1rpIKlcCtSKn9zsGdh-dparzcrz85pELU5VJEnoG6shK4G-9VHlBm5WJYNxFG9ljQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Aaron Cody, a Portsmouth resident, used his public-comment time Wednesday to present arguments for adopting ranked-choice voting and to rebut three criticisms commonly raised about the system: that voters cannot handle the change, that it will cost too much, and that it prevents timely results.

Cody said ranked-choice voting is already used in a variety of jurisdictions and election types, including state and local contests, and in more than 50 localities. “Because change is hard should not be a reason not to adopt a better way to do anything, including voting,” he said, and he invited council members and staff to estimate implementation costs and consider phased approaches such as starting with primaries.

Why it matters: ranked-choice voting would change how winners are determined and could affect election administration costs and voter education needs. Cody asked the city to estimate the cost and consider incorporating it into a future budget if council determines it is a priority.

Details: Cody said adoption would require voter education and engagement but that unofficial media election-night calls are separate from official statutory reporting deadlines. He offered to be available after the meeting to answer questions and to provide additional materials.

Outcome: this was a public-comment presentation; council did not take action on the proposal at the meeting.","A Portsmouth resident presented arguments in favor of ranked-choice voting during public comment, rebutting three common objections — voter capacity, cost and delayed results — and urged council to study the option and estimate implementation costs.",{"_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},6156618,"Portsmouth defers decision on entertainment-use permit for 2012 Victory Boulevard until Aug. 26",62,183000,245000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5468667-79af05703cbf6bc283ee28aac0ad0862&start=183&end=245","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5468667-79af05703cbf6bc283ee28aac0ad0862/thumbnail_183000.jpg","/articles/6156618/Portsmouth/Norfolk-County/Virginia/Portsmouth-defers-decision-on-entertainment-use-permit-for-2012-Victory-Boulevard-until-Aug-26","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6156618-251e198f598ce3b71b2b0344c0ccd127/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183810&Signature=PaegVWdzhI3m-gU8qx-3mzyDYbAKMzI4HGuVdX2wXU3CaHG785LsY89ugDCKBkU-eWROZfrdKS-dmJhkbOvfeXbu4UkG~M2XHtUXNFXx-fO7mfci6uuaXfJEh~6ZCXvsRgkT5S0B2XoKbo2kuwbZJJNLRYYMXG4EK9EFV-rwxIRR1bQzJ6QR60ucw~XuxpXKVGzNscxzo56WeXJFyvQauchbP6PBDs1fVCUJfvpqnKxRMwL8CfknDGFpZx1ZCvQiOPkHeUfbD87GKvaukRyNIqeo2dgVbVxOqEMIx1h7EoEz5Jb-vTZAy5bEUEoQtErLMuIFv1~AFNSoR0NuHUwOLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Portsmouth City Council on Wednesday deferred consideration of a use permit application to allow an entertainment establishment at a portion of 2012 Victory Boulevard.

The clerk read the resolution as \"Resolution granting the request of R. Brown for a use permit to operate an entertainment establishment on a portion of 2012 Victory Boulevard parcel designated as 4806 George Washington Highway in the General Mixed Use zoning district, UP-2503, deferred from the May council meeting.\" Councilman Moody moved to defer the item to the council’s last meeting in August; the motion carried 7-0.

Why it matters: the applicant requested a use permit for an entertainment venue in a General Mixed Use district; council deferred final action to allow staff and council time to review refined language.

Staff follow-up: City Manager Steven Carter said staff intends to provide the new language to council at least two weeks before the Aug. 26 meeting so members have time to review and comment.

Taper: The city will consider the revised ordinance language at its Aug. 26 meeting; no approval or denial occurred Wednesday.","The City Council voted 7-0 to defer action on a request for a use permit to operate an entertainment establishment at a portion of 2012 Victory Boulevard; the application was deferred to the council’s August meeting and staff committed to deliver revised language at least two weeks before that meeting.",{"_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},6156623,"Portsmouth council adopts multiple small grants for social services, police and housing programs",187,255000,442000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5468667-79af05703cbf6bc283ee28aac0ad0862&start=255&end=442","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5468667-79af05703cbf6bc283ee28aac0ad0862/thumbnail_255000.jpg","/articles/6156623/Portsmouth/Norfolk-County/Virginia/Portsmouth-council-adopts-multiple-small-grants-for-social-services-police-and-housing-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6156623-e2857561011a844341001237eb067f9b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183810&Signature=oFPMmvba84-r95y9c4gGlZhEXGl-vPW-Ga~5wOEaMZCR0O1zL7quM4oRZTRgYD6LVHLzoD8-nD-LpcIX7yia73XwAHaOBjkNzZhiuCaj8nj~wZzB3sffxhdopChafj5bUs7genPfL0S6NhFlNThr8sRTWYNjpImipsT-GSoN2JpkWJfgqxjK7NS3UFETwlvkD2RoTFtNXxKgBMAfUUxYed4qRoo6~5bX9f2ypMzNky0yCJGfjavRQn8PczWfd57i6ktyUfBEJpHGtWtcg3ZbRmZo29uWdvPVV7T8i0LwBw~yIKaKh0I0MUJ9rLgqN8fYflr~aIxvi383lJ2-qknwqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Portsmouth City Council unanimously approved ordinances Wednesday accepting and appropriating several FY 2026 grant awards for city programs, the clerk read.

The council voted 7-0 to accept $9,248 from the Virginia Department of Social Services for the Family Preservation and Support program and appropriate the funds in the FY 2026 Social Services Fund.

Council members also approved a three-part ordinance accepting a Byrne/JAG (Justice Assistance Grant) award of $30,663 from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, appropriating it in the FY 2026 grants fund and transferring $10,221 from the asset forfeiture fund to serve as the local match for police department equipment, supplies and technology. The ordinance language was read by the clerk and the council adopted it by a recorded 7-0 vote.

Separately, the council accepted $26,700 in HOME Investment Partnership program income and appropriated it to the FY 2026 Community Planning and Development Program Fund. The council also approved $42,064.08 in Centerra Cares grant funds from the Tidewater Emergency Medical Services Council, Inc., to be appropriated in the fire/rescue emergency services category of the FY 2026 general fund budget for Portsmouth Fire Rescue Emergency Services to acquire, store, dispense and properly dispose of medication.

Why it matters: the grants fund social-services interventions, housing-related program income and police and emergency-medication capabilities in FY 2026; the Justice Assistance Grant includes a local match drawn from asset forfeiture funds.

Procedure and vote: all four appropriations and the transfer passed by recorded votes of 7-0, according to the clerk’s announcements. No amendments were proposed during the meeting.

Taper: Council took these votes during the city manager’s report and new business; staff will implement the appropriations through existing departmental budgets and grant-administration processes.","By unanimous votes, Portsmouth City Council accepted and appropriated four grants and a local match transfer for FY 2026, funding family preservation services, police equipment, HOME program income and medication handling for fire/rescue.",{"_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},6156628,"Residents press Portsmouth council on inconsistent code enforcement for vacant properties and overgrown lots",948,1922000,2870000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5468667-79af05703cbf6bc283ee28aac0ad0862&start=1922&end=2870","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5468667-79af05703cbf6bc283ee28aac0ad0862/thumbnail_1922000.jpg","/articles/6156628/Portsmouth/Norfolk-County/Virginia/Residents-press-Portsmouth-council-on-inconsistent-code-enforcement-for-vacant-properties-and-overgrown-lots","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6156628-1fbcec748314dbf2fa3411c79af3ade3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183810&Signature=dF3sQ-s~NiUJi4qz6P5KOYVIx1HrE7lnIqONKt3woRfItYfdLocn-X64jKw9WT-lsSXAMpsy~5JZoITnGOGGseXBMZf12DJ43kQZdZl8KEo~4fpCW8VTcabK96t14SEBhYEVHve8S~jYXBI6shxFv5LWigG6~pNA2PqoVX-rexife9J0ReKX2-ifk37hiOwuZ~OeQP4wNAXzGJm5uJn1MJRSezGAxdXRYEhTEbimUOrgaqUIEgpIH~U37KObRHez9~SDFp~imgm44xRyNa4NTsll1bOcMALNHFkBRNoFlVmc7lwhXgEK5a8F7GYFworDHOMGIEUqbivB-WLmYm~itQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Portsmouth City Council heard multiple residents Wednesday who said city inspections and enforcement of vacant-structure, overgrown-weeds and nuisance rules are inconsistent and leave neighborhoods unsafe.

Residents told council that city inspectors cited properties but later closed cases without compelling property owners to remove overgrowth or board damaged windows. “Residents deserve better,” said David House, a Portsmouth resident who cited specific properties and city code sections during public comment.

The concerns centered on whether city staff were applying city code 23-26 (nuisance/weeds), 17-133 (building and structure maintenance/closures), section 32-31 (visibility at intersections) and the Virginia State Fire Prevention Code (304.1) consistently. Speakers said some complaint reports filed through SeeClickFix resulted in no enforcement or in findings that the problem met an inspector’s standards rather than the code’s written requirements.

Why it matters: residents said the apparent inconsistency allows hazards to persist — from overgrown yards that the city’s nuisance code deems a fire or health hazard to vacant buildings they say are inadequately secured. Multiple council members indicated they want clearer, more uniform enforcement.

Details: resident David House cited the municipal code language that he said requires property owners to cut weeds over 10 inches and to remove debris; he said inspectors have sometimes applied different sections (for example citing 17-133, which he said applies to closed structures) in cases he believes do not meet that classification. Daniel House, another resident, said inspectors closed cases after observing board-up material present but that windows above the first floor remained exposed and paint and glazing were deteriorated.

Council response and next steps: City Manager Steven Carter told council he preferred to defer a fuller response to a future meeting but said staff are arranging discussions with the residents raising the complaints. Council members asked that the examples be used to inform an enforcement task force now being formed so inspections and remedies follow the explicit language of the code. Councilman Tillich and Councilman Hugo urged staff to include the cited properties as examples when the enforcement team meets.

No formal policy or enforcement action was adopted at the meeting. Council members and the manager said staff would follow up with the complainants and bring recommended next steps back to council.

Taper: The speakers urged the city to be proactive rather than relying solely on complaint-driven enforcement; city staff said they will review the cited files and return with recommendations to standardize enforcement.","Residents and community volunteers pressed the Portsmouth City Council Wednesday over what they said are inconsistent inspections and weak enforcement of property-maintenance, vacant-structure and nuisance codes; city staff said they will convene an enforcement group and meet with residents to review specific cases.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Local restaurateur describes community programs, requests business relief options from council

Local resident urges Portsmouth to consider ranked-choice voting, rebuts common objections

Portsmouth defers decision on entertainment-use permit for 2012 Victory Boulevard until Aug. 26

Portsmouth council adopts multiple small grants for social services, police and housing programs

Residents press Portsmouth council on inconsistent code enforcement for vacant properties and overgrown lots