Newport News City Council approves series of leases, easements and land purchases in unanimous votes

Newport News City Council on Nov. 12 approved a string of property transactions and resolutions, each by a recorded 6-0 vote.

The council adopted a resolution requesting the Virginia General Assembly amend the city charter (chapter 4, section 4.01) regarding composition of council and appointment of council members (Item E‑1). The council also approved an ordinance authorizing the city manager to execute a deed of open-space easement with the Virginia Outdoors Foundation (E‑2).

Multiple ordinances authorizing leases and lease amendments were approved for city-owned parcels. The council adopted amendment No. 31 to the deed of lease with Huntington Ingalls Incorporated covering part of 4600 Huntington Avenue (E‑3). Council members also approved five-year leases for Seafood Industrial Park parcels: Chesapeake Bay Packing LLC (Parcel 18A at 900 Terminal Ave., E‑6; Parcels 19‑22 A/B, Item 7; Parcel 23F at 500 Turner Ave., E‑10), Virginia Pilot Corp (Parcel 23D at 370 Terminal Ave., E‑8), and Ryan Marine Inc (Parcel 23E at 400 Terminal Ave., E‑9). An ordinance granting a utility easement to Dominion Energy, Virginia across city property at 524 J. Clyde Morris Blvd., to support power needs for the Deer Park Ranger Station was adopted (E‑5).

In consent business the council approved minutes and appropriations including a resolution to appropriate $2,904,733 in FY25 state and city revenues for various school capital projects and $300,000 from FY26 bond authorization for select Parks & Rec improvements (F items). The council also designated the vice mayor as the voting delegate (and Councilwoman Vic as alternate) to the National League of Cities annual meeting and adopted the City of Newport News' legislative program for the 2026 Virginia General Assembly session (G‑1, G‑2).

Finally, the council approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to purchase 10.1 acres at 148 Faulkner Road in York County for watershed protection (G‑3).

All votes recorded on these items were unanimous as reflected in the meeting record. The council gave brief remarks on several items during the meeting; where public hearings were required there were no speakers and hearings were closed prior to the votes.

Votes at a glance: e1 resolution to request charter amendment — approved (6‑0); e2 open-space easement with Virginia Outdoors Foundation — approved (6‑0); e3 amendment to Huntington Ingalls lease — adopted (6‑0); e4 conveyance to Newport News Redevelopment & Housing Authority — adopted (6‑0); e5 Dominion Energy utility easement — adopted (6‑0); e6 lease Chesapeake Bay Packing LLC Parcel 18A (5 years) — adopted (6‑0); item 7 lease Chesapeake Bay Packing LLC Parcels 19‑22 A/B (5 years) — adopted (6‑0); e8 lease Virginia Pilot Corp Parcel 23D (5 years) — adopted (6‑0); e9 lease Ryan Marine Inc Parcel 23E (5 years) — adopted (6‑0); e10 lease Chesapeake Bay Packing LLC Parcel 23F (5 years) — adopted (6‑0); f consent appropriations including $2,904,733 for schools and $300,000 for parks improvements — adopted (6‑0); g1 NLC delegate designation — adopted (6‑0); g2 legislative program — adopted (6‑0); g3 purchase of 10.1 acres at 148 Faulkner Road for watershed protection — adopted (6‑0).

The meeting record shows no roll-call of individual council votes; outcomes are recorded as "motion carries" with a 6‑0 tally in the transcript. The actions listed here mirror the items presented in the council's agenda and the meeting transcript. The council adjourned following brief remarks and acknowledgments.