Newport News council approves childcare permit, lease amendment, code changes and $4.63 million in appropriations

The Newport News City Council unanimously approved a package of ordinances, a lease amendment, a conditional use permit and three appropriations during its regular meeting, the council said.

The votes included adoption of a conditional use permit for a proposed childcare center at 617 Randolph Road, a first amendment to the City's lease with STC2 LLC for communications equipment on the City Farm Tower, code amendments affecting three reservoirs and watercraft/marina rules, and three appropriations totaling $4,630,000 for parks lighting, marina dredging and multiple pedestrian/shared-use path projects.

The approvals matter because they authorize near-term construction and maintenance work (lighting at school fields and dredging at a public marina), update rules governing city-owned water resources, and continue long-term operations of a communications facility on city property.

The council adopted, on separate motions and roll calls, the following items (all recorded as unanimous votes where noted):

- Conditional use permit CU2025001: The council adopted an ordinance granting conditional use permit number CU2025001 to Man Group of Real Estate LLC and Ernicia House to allow operation of a childcare center on a 0.91-acre parcel at 617 Randolph Road in an R-4 single-family zone. The applicant, Ernicia House, identified herself as owner of Groom for Greatness Learning Center and answered council questions during the public hearing. Vote: 5–0.

- Lease amendment for City Farm Tower: The council authorized the city manager to execute a First Amendment to lease with STC2 LLC (formerly Sprintcom Inc.) for continued maintenance, installation and operation of communications facilities on the City Farm Tower site at 100 City Farm Road. Vote: 5–0.

- City code amendment — water supply/reservoirs: The city manager introduced an ordinance to amend City Code Chapter 42 (Water Supply), adding a new Article 7 covering Diascon Creek, Little Creek and Skiffs Creek reservoirs and repealing Chapter 29, Article 3 (Diascon and Little Creek reservoirs). The manager said the changes would “eliminate the free and unrestricted use provision, clarify permitted activities on city owned land, and include Skiffs Creek Reservoir in these changes. I recommend approval.” Vote: 5–0.

- City code amendment — watercraft, docks and piers: The council adopted an ordinance amending City Code Chapter 11 to update and expand rules for mooring and use of city-owned facilities, including the Menchville public bulkhead. The manager said the changes support investments at Menchville Marina, “enhance enforcement and improve access for seafood harvesters, helping boost utilization, job creation, and tax revenue.” Vote: 5–0.

- Appropriations (items H1–H3): The council approved three appropriations: • $300,000 from FY2025 bond authorization for Parks & Recreation improvements to the practice field and soccer lighting at Ella Fitzgerald Middle School; • $449,000 from FY2022 bond authorization for a bathymetric/pathometric study service and dredging at Leeward Marina (Huntington Park boat ramp); • $3,104,800 in FY2025 VDOT Transportation Alternatives/Carbon Reduction grant funds plus $776,200 in FY2025 local project funds for three projects (Washington Avenue and 25th Street pedestrian improvements as stated in the record, the Trail 7757 shared-use path, and H Drive/Choice Neighborhood Initiatives shared-use path). The council's stated totals yield $3,881,000 for the third appropriation and $4,630,000 across the three appropriations. Vote: 5–0.

- Consent agenda: Minutes, a July meeting rescheduling resolution and two recognition/ appreciation resolutions on the consent agenda were approved without separate discussion. Vote: 5–0.

What council members said: Councilman Harris asked that future Parks & Recreation funding for school fields include a renewed look at the usage agreement between the city and Newport News Public Schools; he said he will “move forward with this” but requested staff revisit the intergovernmental agreement to clarify eligibility and shared use. City staff acknowledged the point and said coordination can be revisited.

Several items were presented by the city manager and recommended for approval by staff; public testimony was limited to the childcare permit applicant, Ernicia House, who described the planned childcare operation and answered council questions during the public hearing.

The unanimous votes indicate the council approved the measures without recorded dissent. The council also noted the start of the budget season and upcoming public hearings to consider the manager's proposed budget.