Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hampton City Council approves ATV seizure ordinance and renews Fox Hill Neighborhood Center use agreement
Summary
The council unanimously adopted an ordinance allowing seizure and impoundment of unlawfully operated ATVs and approved a two-year use agreement enabling the Fox Hill Neighborhood Center nonprofit to continue managing programming; staff cited a 140% increase in ATV complaints between 2022 and 2023.
Hampton City Council on a unanimous vote adopted an ordinance to allow the seizure and impoundment of unlawfully operated all-terrain vehicles and off-road motorcycles within city limits, and separately approved a use agreement that keeps the Fox Hill Neighborhood Center operating under a nonprofit contract.
City staff told the council the Police Division recorded a 140% increase in calls for service related to ATVs and off-road motorcycles between 2022 and 2023, and said traffic citations alone have not been an effective deterrent. “Between 2022 and 2023, the Hampton Police Division saw a 140% increase in calls for service relating to all terrain vehicles,” staff said in the presentation.
The ATV ordinance (24-0449) amends Chapter 21 of the City Code (Motor Vehicles and Traffic) by creating an article authorizing lawful seizure, impoundment and disposition of unlawfully operated ATVs and off-road motorcycles; staff noted the 2024 General Assembly enacted legislation allowing localities to adopt such measures. Council moved to adopt the ordinance and each member recorded an aye vote.
Council also adopted resolution 24-0451, authorizing a use agreement with the Fox Hill Neighborhood Center (a non-stock corporation) for continued management and programming of the Fox Hill Neighborhood Center. Staff said the agreement would commence on the date it is signed, run for an initial two-year term with a three-year renewal option, and requires the non-stock corporation to maintain appropriate insurance and financial records.
Votes at a glance: ordinance 24-0449 — adopted unanimously (Bowman: Aye; Brown: Aye; Gray: Aye; Harper: Aye; Hobbs: Aye; Mugler: Aye; Mayor Tuck: Aye). Resolution 24-0451 (Fox Hill use agreement) — adopted unanimously (same tally).
The staff presentation said 2024 year-to-date there were over 60 calls related to ATV offenses, and that riders often perform stunts, trespass and block roadways; Chief Weidman was present to answer questions about enforcement mechanics. The council did not specify an effective date in the meeting record; implementation steps, impound processes and any administrative regulations were not detailed during the session and were not specified in the materials provided to the council.
The council moved on to other items after the votes; staff indicated they would provide more details as needed in follow-up reports.
