Williamsburg City Council on Sept. 11 approved a package of motions and ordinances that included a 40-year easement to Dominion Energy, amendments to local subdivision and zoning ordinances to comply with changes in the Code of Virginia, design services for traffic-signal work paid with Smart Scale funds, renewal of the city's third-party EMS billing contract, expanded EMS fee authority, a new short-term special event application fee and several appointments to local boards and commissions.

Why it matters: The actions together touch public infrastructure, land-use review timelines, emergency medical services funding and event permitting procedures. Some changes implement state law; others allocate grant-funded design work and adjust local fee structures that affect residents and organizations holding events in public spaces.

Key outcomes (motions, ordinances, contracts and appointments approved):

- Right-of-way easement to Dominion Energy: Council authorized the city manager to execute a right-of-way agreement granting a 15-foot utility easement on city-owned property at 5700 Mooretown Road in York County. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with all council members voting to approve.

- PCR 25-022 / PCR 25-023; Ordinances 25-11 and 25-12 (subdivision and zoning amendments): Council adopted ordinance changes to Chapter 16 (subdivisions) and Chapter 21 (zoning) to implement statewide changes that shift final approval of site plans, development plans and subdivision plats from the planning commission to a designated agent (the planning director) and to reflect shortened state review timelines (40–45 days). Council approved a motion to adopt both items on a combined vote; the roll-call was unanimous.

- Purchase orders for signal design (UPC 115418 and UPC 115503): Council authorized the city manager to execute purchase orders to VHB for design services not to exceed $111,173 for Richmond Road (UPC 115418) and $47,608 for Lafayette Street (UPC 115503). The projects are budgeted from a Smart Scale grant; no city operating funds will be used. The motion passed unanimously.

- EMS billing contract renewal: Council authorized the city manager to execute a five-year contract with EMS Management & Consultants, Inc., to provide third-party EMS billing services at a collection rate fee of 4.85% (historical rate was 4.5%). The motion passed on a roll call with council approval.

- Ordinance 25-13 (expanded EMS fees): Council approved Ordinance 25-13 to broaden the city's EMS fee authority to allow the city manager to set additional fees (interfacility transport, the medication box system, non-transport encounters and related items) to help offset new and rising costs (for example, the city implemented an internal medication-box program after a federal requirement ended hospital-based boxes). The ordinance passed on a roll call vote.

- Resolution 25-17 (opioid-settlement participation): Council approved participation in the proposed direct settlement with opioid manufacturers (a settlement effort unrelated to Purdue Pharma/Sackler funds referenced previously), which helps maximize the state's share of settlement funds for opioid-response programs; council previously approved participation in other opioid settlements and continues to participate. The motion passed unanimously.

- Ordinance 25-14 (special-event permit fee): Council adopted Ordinance 25-14 to add a $50 fee for short-term special-event permits (long-term event permit remains $100). Staff reported 93 short-term applications last year and 70 so far this year. The motion passed on a roll call vote.

- Appointments: Council appointed Randy Casey Rutland to the Economic Development Authority (term ending 06/30/2029), Brian Twitty to an unexpired EDA term (ending 06/30/2028) and Bonnie Smith to an unexpired term on the Williamsburg Farmers Market Advisory Board (ending 06/30/2026). The motion passed unanimously.

What council said: Council members repeatedly noted that several changes implement state or federal requirements (zoning/subdivision timeline changes and the federally driven move from hospital-based medication boxes), and that some actions will increase staff workload (planning director review duties). Councilors and staff emphasized that Smart Scale funds cover the signal-design work and that new fees are intended to offset costs rather than generate profit.

Next steps: Staff will execute contracts and ordinances as authorized. The planning director will serve as the designated agent for plan and plat approvals under the amended ordinances. The new special-event permit workflow and fee will launch after staff complete technical implementation and public notifications.

Votes provenance: See individual item provenance included with the topic-specific articles for transcript excerpts and timing.