Votes at a glance: Newport News council adopts zoning text change, right‑of‑way vacation, safety grant, telecom license and multiple appropriations

Newport News City Council on April 22 approved a package of ordinances, resolutions and appropriations during its regular meeting. Most measures passed unanimously by roll call; council recorded votes as 7‑0 on the items below.

Key actions approved

• Zoning text amendment (Agenda item E2). The council amended Chapter 45 of the zoning ordinance to modify special building setbacks along expressways and collector streets (transcript reference: city code chapter 45, section 45‑2808). No members of the public spoke on the item; the ordinance passed 7‑0.

• Vacation of right of way (Agenda item E3). Council approved the vacation of an 18,000‑square‑foot right of way on 30 Eighth Street between Warwick Boulevard and CSX. The motion passed 7‑0.

• VDOT Highway Safety Improvement Program agreement (G1). The council authorized the city manager to execute a project administration agreement with the Virginia Department of Transportation for a citywide installation of high‑visibility signal backplates at 183 intersections and flashing yellow arrow signals at 12 intersections. The project is funded by VDOT’s Highway Safety Improvement Program; the council approved the resolution 7‑0.

• Telecommunications right‑of‑way license renewal (G3). Council approved a temporary, nonexclusive, revocable license agreement with Wavelength Technologies, Inc., to use city rights of way for telecommunications links supporting Huntington Ingalls Industries’ private network. The existing agreement from 2015 expires June 30, 2025; council approved a five‑year renewal 7‑0.

• Appropriations (Items H1–H4). Council approved four appropriations: – H1: Resolution to appropriate grant funds for the city’s participation in the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities (BASC) initiative. City staff described BASC as a three‑year program to support cleaner, more resilient communities; the meeting record did not provide a single clear line‑item total for Newport News in the motion. (See clarifying details.) – H2: $456,471 for dock improvements at the northern end of the Seafood Industrial Park to support a future retail seafood market, including dredging, removal of deteriorated piers, two new moorings and an ADA‑compliant floating dock. Approved 7‑0. – H3: $3,500,000 from the fiscal year 2025 bond authorization (community development category) to support maritime economic development projects, including dredging and construction work related to the seafood market. Approved 7‑0. – H4: $8,150,000 in community development funding from the fiscal year 2024 bond authorization to continue implementation of the Marshall Ridley Choice Neighborhood transformation plan, covering gateway enhancements, a health and wellness trail, residential façade improvements and rehabilitation of 2510 Jefferson Avenue; part of these funds also support the seafood market. Approved 7‑0.

Public comment: Choice Neighborhood and seafood market

Uganda Sample Jones, who identified herself as a community participant in the Choice Neighborhood initiative, urged council to approve the appropriations and described the seafood market as “a critical piece of our community’s future” that will create jobs and economic growth. City staff recommended approval of the H items and the council adopted all four appropriations 7‑0.

Other business and consent items

The council adopted the consent agenda (minutes and prior proceedings) and approved routine items including the vacation and ordinance adoptions listed above; votes on consent items were recorded 7‑0.

Roll calls and movers

For several motions council used a standard “so moved/second” process but did not record mover and second names in the meeting transcript for every item. All motions listed above were recorded as approved by roll call with unanimous support (7‑0) unless otherwise noted in the item detail.