Votes at a glance: Norfolk council approves multiple ordinances, grants and leases; several items continued

The Norfolk City Council handled several items on the agenda including public hearings, appropriation ordinances, grant-related budget amendments, a lease approval, and appointments. Many items were adopted on a roll-call vote as part of the consent agenda or as individual ordinances; several matters were continued for staff recommendation or further consideration.

Key outcomes recorded in the meeting transcript:

- Invitation to bid (lease of Suites 101 and 102, Truist Building, 150 West Main Street): One bid from 150 Owner LLC was read (proposed rate $7,893.79 per month for a 10-year term). City staff recommended reviewing the bid and returning with a recommendation at the May 13, 2025 council meeting. Council voted to continue consideration to the May 13, 2025 meeting.

- PH1: Zoning amendment to create an accessory kennel use in PCO 20 First Street and PCO Colley overlay districts by conditional use permit — the Planning Commission recommended approval (6-0) and the council adopted the ordinance as presented.

- PH2: Lease agreement with Truist Bank for an ATM in Norfolk City Hall (transcript lists both 18 Union Street and 810 Union Street inconsistently) — the council adopted the ordinance approving the lease.

- PH3: Planning Commission application to modify accessory dwelling regulations — the council voted to continue the item generally.

- R1: Ordinance accepting and appropriating up to $320,100 from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grant for the citywide signal retiming Phase 4 project (UPC 115518) with an additional up to $19,900 in local funds if provided — adopted on the roll call in the meeting.

- R2: Ordinance amending city code to allow additional private-property special events in certain downtown zoning districts and create a process for additional private-property special events citywide during extended special events — adopted on the roll call.

- R3 (commercial corridor grant cooperation): Ordinance authorizing a cooperation agreement with the Economic Development Authority for administration of the commercial corridor grant program and authorizing expenditure of up to $500,000 for the city's obligations — adopted on the roll call.

- R4: Ordinance amending vacant building registration penalties to conform with state code — adopted on the roll call.

- R5: Ordinance suspending certain maximum annual leave accrual caps for 29 Sheriff’s Office employees until Dec. 31, 2025 — adopted on the roll call.

- R6: Ordinance to accept and appropriate up to $352,710.90 from DHS/FEMA for cardiovascular screenings for Fire Rescue (covered in a separate article) — adopted on the roll call.

- R7 and R8: Ordinances to accept and reappropriate smaller stormwater/local match and constructed wetland project funds (amounts recorded as $9,207.30 and $320,762.70 in the transcript) — adopted on the roll call.

- Appointments: A resolution appointing four members to one commission and three members to boards was adopted.

- R10: Resolution establishing the mayor's housing commission — adopted on the roll call (see separate article).

Consent agenda C1–C7 were approved as a block; the meeting transcript does not provide detail on those items in the excerpt provided.

Roll-call votes for adopted items in the transcript show recorded Aye votes from Councilmembers Clanton, Doyle, Johnson, McGee, Page, Smigiel, Thomas and Alexander on the listed ordinances and resolutions. Where the transcript lists an ordinance number or grant amount, that language is recorded above; where addresses or item details are inconsistent in the transcript (for example, the City Hall address for the Truist ATM), the transcript text is noted as inconsistent and the meeting record should be consulted for the definitive document.