Norfolk council approves series of easements, grants, pay plan changes and two appointments

At its meeting the Norfolk City Council adopted a package of ordinances and confirmations covering easements, land‑use approvals, grant appropriations, compensation plan revisions and personnel appointments.

Easements and infrastructure: The council adopted a temporary construction easement (six months) and a 40‑year long‑term easement for Verizon across city property at 140 Park Avenue to permit construction and maintenance of a communications duct bank (Part 1).

Land‑use permits: The council approved R2, a conditional use permit for Prestige Car Wash at 2750 North Military Highway, after staff reported the planning commission had recommended approval and the owner provided site improvements. R3, a conditional use permit for Ocean Hand Car Wash at 7900 Chesapeake Boulevard, was adopted after a resident commenter (Veronica) and the owner said they had cleaned up the site and committed to ongoing maintenance; one councilmember recorded a 'No' vote on that ordinance.

Grants and budget items: R4 authorized acceptance and appropriation of up to $83,720.91 from the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services for a youth support partner program under the Norfolk Community Services Board. R7 accepted and appropriated up to $4,317,660 from the Department of Conservation and Recreation through the Community Flood Preparedness Fund for the Richmond/Surry/Crescent shoreline improvement project and included local cash‑match amounts and resilience office allocations. RA amended the FY2026 appropriations ordinance to accept up to $90,000 from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) for the Norfolk Sheriff's Office residential substance abuse treatment program and appropriated a $30,000 local cash match.

Compensation plan and appointments: R10 revised multiple exhibits of the FY2026 compensation plan to update pay tables, classifications and effective dates; councilmembers praised staff efforts and asked clarifying questions about clerks' positions. The council confirmed two appointments: EM Lambitz as assistant city attorney (law department grade L14, effective Jan. 12, 2026) and Jeff Begonia as records administrator (effective Dec. 29, 2025).

Procedural notes: For most ordinances the council dispensed with the charter requirement for two‑reading adoption and recorded aye votes; where the transcript records dissent it is noted above. Several matters had been continued from a Dec. 9 docket and were presented with planning commission recommendations.

Next steps: The approved grants will be added to the FY2026 grants plan and budget as noted in the ordinances; staff will implement easement terms and the confirmed appointees will assume the positions on the effective dates noted in the meeting.