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Hampton council unanimously opposes House Bill 900 over eminent-domain concern
Summary
Council voted unanimously to go on record opposing House Bill 900 after members warned the bill would shift redevelopment authority seats to private citizens who could exercise eminent domain. The motion was made and approved at the start of the afternoon session.
Hampton City Council voted unanimously to oppose House Bill 900 after members said the measure would transfer decision-making in redevelopment housing to non-elected citizen members with the power to use eminent domain.
Councilman Gilliland moved that “the council go on record in opposition to House Bill 900,” arguing that because redevelopment authorities exercise eminent domain ‘‘one of the last things that...we would want to have happen is for non elected personnel...private citizens, to have the right to declare, condemnation and use the power of imminent domain’’ rather than elected officials. The motion was seconded and the mayor called the vote; the ayes carried with no recorded opposition.
The motion was requested by staff after a memorandum about the pending bill, and council members said the position is intended to guide the city's lobbying and planning with the city's legislative contacts. No formal amendment to city policy was adopted beyond the recorded opposition at the council meeting.
Provenance: The motion and vote were introduced and recorded in the council's opening business (presentation and motion beginning at SEG 021 and formal motion through SEG 085).
