Council approves traffic-safety, telecom and several appropriations; zoning text change and right-of-way vacation pass

Newport News City Council on April 22 approved a slate of resolutions and appropriations covering traffic-safety signal upgrades, a telecommunications license renewal, bond-funded maritime work and several planning housekeeping items. All actions recorded on the consent agenda or during the business portion of the meeting passed with unanimous recorded votes of 7-0.

Chief items approved

- A project administration agreement with the Virginia Department of Transportation for a citywide retroreflective signal backplate and flashing yellow arrow project. The city manager told council: "This project is funded by the Highway Safety Improvement Program grant and includes the installation of high visibility signal backplates at 183 intersections and flashing yellow arrows at 12 intersections. I recommend approval." Council approved the resolution and then separately appropriated $4,274,000 in FY25 VDOT Highway Safety Improvement Program funds for the work; both measures carried 7-0.

- A temporary, nonexclusive, revocable license agreement allowing Wave Lehi Technologies Incorporated to continue to use city rights-of-way for telecommunications links. The existing agreement approved in 2015 is set to expire on June 30, 2025; Wavelength requested a five-year renewal to maintain telecommunications links for Huntington Ingalls Industries' private network. Council approved the renewal 7-0.

- Appropriations for community and maritime projects: Council approved four appropriations (H1–H4) including grant funding connected to the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities initiative and funding for dock and maritime improvements that support an upcoming retail seafood market tied to the Choice Neighborhood initiative. The city manager summarized the appropriations package for council; public commenter Uganda Sample Jones, chair of the Choice Neighborhood initiative, asked for the council’s continued support, saying the seafood market "is a critical piece of our community's future" and that it will provide jobs and economic growth. The motions to appropriate funds carried 7-0.

- Zoning text amendment and right-of-way vacation: Council adopted a zoning text amendment to modify special building setbacks along expressways and collector streets (identified in the meeting as Zulu Tango-2025-0001 and amendments to city code chapter 45) and approved the vacation of an approximately 18,000-square-foot right-of-way on Eighth Street between Warwick Boulevard and the CSX corridor; both measures were adopted unanimously by roll call.

What the votes mean: The VDOT-funded signal improvements are intended to increase intersection visibility citywide; the telecom license preserves a private network link for a local industrial employer. The dock and Choice Neighborhood appropriations fund dredging, pier demolition and construction of an ADA-compliant floating dock to support a planned retail seafood market, and the larger community development appropriation will fund Marshall-Ridley neighborhood transformation activities enumerated in the staff memo.

Implementation and next steps: City staff will administer the VDOT grant agreement and proceed with contracting and construction scheduling; projects requiring design and procurement (maritime dock, moorings and floating dock) will move to the next design and bidding phases under the appropriations. The Wave Lehi license renewal is temporary and revocable and will be managed under city rights-of-way procedures.

Ending: All measures on the consent and business agendas were approved without dissent at the April 22 meeting; several items noted will require standard follow-up by staff for contracting, design and permits.