Hampton council approves condemnation for bike‑ped project, renews stadium lease; councilmember recuses on lease

The Hampton City Council approved several administrative and contractual items, including a resolution authorizing acquisition (by negotiation or condemnation) of a portion of property at 2 Little Oak Lane for the Little Back River Road bike and pedestrian accommodation project and a lease agreement with Community Baseball LLC for War Memorial Stadium.

City staff described the condemnation item as necessary to secure right‑of‑way for a phase of the Little Back River Road bike/ped project, noting a partial fee take of approximately 985 square feet (about 0.023 acres) from property identified as 2 Little Oak Lane (LRSN 8004974) where heirs or successors to Valerie J. Hall are the record owners. City staff recommended exercising eminent‑domain authority after a title examination and cited applicable state code sections during the presentation. Council opened the public hearing, heard no speakers, and voted to approve the resolution.

On the War Memorial Stadium lease, staff said Community Baseball LLC has used the approximately 10.45‑acre stadium property (1889 West Pembroke Ave, LRSN 153) for Peninsula Pilots activities under prior agreements and that the Peninsula Stadium Authority dissolved in July 2025 with the property transferring to the city. The previously executed lease expired in December 2025; staff recommended approving a new lease under which Community Baseball would continue primary baseball use for minimal annual rent (one dollar), but would be solely responsible for taxes, fees, insurance and day‑to‑day maintenance. The staff presentation notes the tenant’s responsibilities and the option for termination by either party with 90 days’ notice.

Before the lease vote, Councilwoman Mugler cited the Virginia Conflict of Interest Act and said she would not participate in discussion or voting on item 26‑0006 because her spouse is engaged as a paid consultant for Community Baseball LLC. She stated on the record: "Pursuant to section 2.2‑3112(a) of the Virginia Conflict of Interest Act, I will not participate in discussion or voting on item 26‑0006 because my spouse is engaged as a paid consultant for Community Baseball LLC." The council then moved, seconded and approved the lease; the meeting record shows the council vote with six ayes and one recusal/abstention recorded for Mugler.

The consent agenda — which included FY26 budget amendments to appropriate capital project and VDOT funding for River Street Park, a transfer from the HAZMAT restricted fund to Fire & Rescue operating budget, VDOT street classification and programming changes, and approval of minutes — was adopted earlier in the meeting as a single motion without discussion.

All actions were recorded on the meeting record and will be implemented by the appropriate city departments as detailed in the agenda packet.