Hopewell City Council approves school supplemental, blight ordinance, grant application and other measures

The Hopewell City Council on Oct. 9 approved a set of measures including a $933,160 supplemental appropriation for Hopewell Public Schools, adoption of an omnibus blight/nuisance ordinance, authorization for the police to apply for a state Operation Ceasefire grant and changes to council rules, among other actions.

Council members said the items were intended to address immediate needs in city operations, public safety and housing development while streamlining internal procedures. The meeting produced multiple unanimous votes as well as a 6-1 vote to adopt revised council rules after debate over fines and appeal procedures.

Votes at a glance

- Hopewell Public Schools supplemental appropriation: Approved. The council approved an additional $933,160 in state funds to the school division, described as funds resulting from the state "caboose bill." Motion made by Vice Mayor Joyner; seconded by Councilor Day. Roll call: Joyner — Yes; Harris — Yes; Parton — Yes; Ellis — Yes; Day — Yes; Stokes — Yes; Raffoli — Yes. Outcome: Passed (7-0).

- Omnibus blight/nuisance ordinance (second reading): Adopted. Motion made by Councilor Harris; seconded by Vice Mayor Joyner. Roll call: unanimous. Outcome: Passed (7-0).

- Operation Ceasefire grant application (authorization to apply): Approved. Council authorized the police department to apply for the Department of Criminal Justice Services Operation Ceasefire grant (three-year award period, calendar years 2026–2028). Chief Taylor said, "The maximum award is $500,000 and the, maximum award for equipment is $100,000 No matching funds are required. And and it will be on a cost reimbursement basis." Motion made by Vice Mayor Joyner; seconded by Councilor Stokes. Roll call: unanimous. Outcome: Passed (7-0).

- Council rules update (including remote participation policy): Adopted after debate. Motion made by Councilor Day; seconded by Vice Mayor Joyner. Councilor Stokes opposed, citing lack of an appeal process for monetary penalties in the rules. Roll call: Joyner — Yes; Harris — Yes; Parton — Yes; Ellis — Yes; Day — Yes; Stokes — No; Raffoli — Yes. Outcome: Passed (6-1).

- Conditional use permit for single-family home on nonconforming lots (Parcels 0131595 and 0131600, South Nineteenth Avenue): Approved. Applicant Vets Housing LLC proposed a one-story, 3-bedroom, 2-bath, 1,352-square-foot home to be built on two undersized lots; staff recommended approval with standard conditions. Motion made by Vice Mayor Jordan; seconded by Councilor Day. Roll call: unanimous. Outcome: Passed (7-0).

- Hope Crest Town street names: Approved. Developer-proposed names were cleared through the Crater Planning District Commission's road-name clearinghouse. One councilor voted no. Outcome: Passed (6-1).

- FY 2026 budget amendment: Designate funds from the warming shelter to the Hope Center (as presented): Approved. Motion made by Vice Mayor Joyner; seconded by Councilor Day. Council discussion clarified the warming-shelter operation will be revised and provided through the Hope Center/Hopewell Center arrangement. Roll call: unanimous. Outcome: Passed (7-0).

What the major items mean

School supplemental appropriation — funding and source: During a public hearing, a school official identified as Miss English told council that Hopewell Public Schools had received an additional $933,160 in state funds tied to what she called the state "caboose bill." The council voted after the hearing to amend the school operating budget for fiscal 2024–25 to include the additional funds. The motion to approve was moved by Vice Mayor Joyner and seconded by Councilor Day.

Omnibus blight ordinance: Planning and code-enforcement staff presented the item as a second-reading adoption of an omnibus ordinance addressing nuisances, derelict buildings and inoperable vehicles. Councilors praised staff work and asked that the city issue a public notice so residents understand the new enforcement steps. The ordinance was adopted unanimously.

Operation Ceasefire grant application: Chief Taylor briefed council on the Operation Ceasefire grant program administered through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. He said the program supports law enforcement efforts to reduce violent crime and to address repeat offenders. Chief Taylor told council the department reviewed equipment and program needs and aimed to submit the application by the Oct. 10 deadline. He said the application timeline is achievable and that staff set an internal target of Sept. 30 to finalize requests for the application.

Council rules update — dispute over enforcement/appeals: The council considered a substantially shortened set of meeting rules that consolidate a remote participation policy and other meeting procedures. Staff and the city attorney said the revised document replaces a longer 27-page packet and includes orientation responsibilities for the city attorney. Councilor Stokes raised concerns about the rules' provision for monetary charges tied to misconduct and said "there should be an opportunity for anybody to appeal an adverse action," arguing an appeal mechanism was missing from the draft. The council voted 6-1 to adopt the rules; Stokes voted no.

Land-use approvals and street names: Planning staff summarized a conditional use permit request from Vets Housing LLC to construct a single-family home on two nonconforming lots in Ward 5 (Parcels 0131595 and 0131600 on South Nineteenth Avenue). The applicant, who identified himself as Mr. Mayo, said the house would provide an "attainable home" and noted it met setbacks and design compatibility with the neighborhood. Council approved the permit with standard conditions. Separately, the council approved street names for the Hope Crest Town subdivision after staff said the names passed the Crater Planning District Commission clearinghouse; council discussed local significance of at least one name tied to a project partner, David Mons.

Warming shelter funds and Hope Center: Council approved amending the FY 2026 budget to move funds from the city-run warming shelter to the Hope Center (presented as the entity that will take on the warming-shelter function). Councilors asked whether the warming-shelter service would close; staff clarified the service will be revised and provided through the Hope Center/Hopewell Center arrangement rather than through the prior operator.

Meeting context and next steps: City Manager Rogers used his remarks to summarize recent activities including a council retreat and an emergency-management workshop; he said a retreat report will be produced by the facilitator. Several items approved at the meeting will require staff follow-up (grant application submission, final budget amendments, ordinance implementation, and administrative steps for the conditional use permit and subdivision approvals).

Ending: Council adjourned after brief closing remarks. Several of the approved items will return in staff reports or administrative follow-up as they move toward implementation.