Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Staffing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Newport News manager announces promotions; council raises code‑compliance aid for seniors and collective bargaining referral
Summary
The city manager announced two leadership moves — Owen Miller promoted to deputy city manager for community development and Torrance Archie hired as director of parks and recreation. Council members also discussed code‑compliance assistance for seniors and a request to refer a collective bargaining report to the Finance & Governance Committee.
City Manager announced two personnel changes during the Newport News City Council work session: Owen Miller was promoted to deputy city manager for community development, and Torrance Archie was hired as director of parks and recreation.
The manager said Miller, who has worked for the city since 2014 and most recently served as chief strategy officer in the city manager's office, will oversee planning, codes compliance, sustainability, neighborhood services and housing initiatives. "Owen will oversee planning, codes compliance, sustainability, neighborhood services, and housing initiatives," the manager said.
The manager introduced Torrance Archie as the new director of parks and recreation. Archie brings more than 25 years of experience in parks administration, recreation programming and community engagement and most recently served as assistant director of parks and recreation in Henrico County, Virginia. The manager said Archie will oversee the city's parks, facilities and community centers while advancing youth services, infrastructure improvements and strategic partnerships.
During council comments, Councilman Long urged the city to ensure seniors and residents with disabilities have assistance after recent code-compliance ordinance changes, asking that the city establish a system to connect those residents with volunteer or other maintenance assistance so they are not harmed by notice enforcement. Long asked council to "make sure our seniors and persons that are disabled ... have some additional assistance" when they receive code compliance notices.
Long also said the committee that studied collective bargaining had submitted a final report and asked that the council send the report to the Finance & Governance Committee so staff and council can work through administrative details before bringing any measures back to the full council for a vote. The transcript records the request and subsequent discussion about meeting with the report's members; it does not record a formal council vote referring the report.
Councilwoman Vick complimented the Department of Street Repair for recent work on Jefferson Avenue and said citizens have noted the improved condition and appearance.
The manager and council thanked the newly appointed staff and signaled plans for follow-up on Long's requests; no formal policy decisions or council votes on the collective bargaining referral or a seniors assistance program were recorded in the transcript.
