[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6561553,"mediaKeyId","3289743-8ed862ba51caa98a43c410800b4bf1aa","parentId",3289743,"title","Residents press council on homelessness and proposed developments; council posts regional homeless study online","audioSeconds",834,"startMs",1910000,"endMs",2744000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3289743-8ed862ba51caa98a43c410800b4bf1aa&start=1910&end=2744","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3289743-8ed862ba51caa98a43c410800b4bf1aa/thumbnail_1910000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6561553/Virginia/Residents-press-council-on-homelessness-and-proposed-developments-council-posts-regional-homeless-study-online","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561553-cb1d7acfc519694b79c72306e9c101bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771116118&Signature=RhP0OamgBEdzOOW1LVch6YelMmSfBcRm3uJlg9pl4bjKjh4Yqc~MZSwKLdpVfQZKlYumkzJqLt3a5e5mL2dzfU533wdcotRAFWfBSZKVT2RWqSgumU7kVesT294seH0IurOh4BvWbqlnCLSTM7AqtkAyJIED9odKE7Y2aaHP7h-fpSn5sNWjb3qmGFPFsx13OUDLSjy9jBfuTBPNtSLsvIJeJAgdtarV4G-AaTCESJFptgBdwwtXoMMaG3dNF48VyeTH76nf3VijTygRn6Z5Fkh1lQmZoQcbU-2qLXOyTOPknx8tCPIXyHIxva~SMxWIKaq~3gdIQeESiSYo428Jow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Newport News","date","2025-05-13T00:00:00Z","article","Several residents and advocates urged Newport News City Council on May 13 to take more transparent, accelerated action on homelessness and to clarify developer support policies, particularly for off‑site improvements.

At the start of public comment, Vicki Siakas Freeman, a local business owner, asked council to treat small, local developers equitably when considering support for off‑site improvements, saying her family's project had been denied assistance while larger, out‑of‑area developers had received financial support. Freeman said work already underway on off‑site improvements is outside property lines and therefore ineligible for certain tax incentives; she asked council to consider support or to consult the city attorney and city manager about options.

Several speakers focused on homelessness and housing access. Mendel Service urged more transparency and compassion, noting people living outdoors are exposed to extremes and that signage and no‑trespass enforcement do not address the underlying need for shelter. Aaron Easter, representing Virginia Organizing, requested that council provide the public with the status and findings of the city's regional homeless study.

Councilman Long responded that the regional homelessness study is complete and available on the city's website. He said the report looks at long‑term sustainability and steps to move people from being unhoused to long‑term self‑sufficiency, and encouraged advocates to review it. Meeting transcript records both the announcement that the report \"is out there now\" and that it was posted online that night.

Councilwoman Vick reminded residents that city services such as the Four Oaks Center provide daytime assistance and referrals for people seeking housing direction, and urged anyone who needs help to contact Human Services.

Other public comments included neighborhood safety and traffic concerns about the proposed Costco location at Bland and Jefferson; speakers asked the council to consider alternative sites with larger existing parking lots.

Ending: Council said staff will post and distribute the homeless study link; advocates asked for further transparency on next steps, and small developers asked staff and council to review options for supporting off‑site improvements where local economic development programs and Enterprise Zone rules limit eligibility.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Newport News - Regular City Council Meeting - May 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Speakers asked the council for clearer plans on homelessness and fairness for small local developers; Councilman Long said the regional homeless study is complete and was posted to the city's website the night of the meeting.","taxTitle","Newport News (Independent City), Virginia","taxId",12491,"location","Virginia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6561557,"Council approves purchase of 4.79‑acre Cannon Boulevard property from Hampton University for $9.5 million; mayor abstains",68,1753000,1821000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3289743-8ed862ba51caa98a43c410800b4bf1aa&start=1753&end=1821","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3289743-8ed862ba51caa98a43c410800b4bf1aa/thumbnail_1753000.jpg","/articles/6561557/Virginia/Council-approves-purchase-of-479acre-Cannon-Boulevard-property-from-Hampton-University-for-95-million-mayor-abstains","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561557-47a6ab843f126d71d4cff55a6b75b7cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771116118&Signature=mbnx3pVDeg5Ldt1WggdOJZUn1ZN3kD3NYco2l~mpSc5m6L2JO~Z5~CKmXALXM00phAcQPcptYuYfRFHjmPG9gVthHDOVAV62VqE7Zy-3W0Jn7tAun2h8zt2lfZfZrVoucckYv7aMFJ0XubmsYDGC5ms~P7fGdEkRnDxaVyqxNMutrTCIFlqbIFS9SM-cPKWo~1XMAmiMvzcQYlSmAGpTrYFN7HbA2nJ3pwsNKXaDDuaChhbD-E2lPLhm0mdFQGl3j-HRlGDGDasOtBMxNwgMfx1x9mP1ZPEhKLNaD6pmSmGnxJ8j13vUB-K5uyMbbLM8fyN~6eNM20jhxsNSoXCVcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Newport News City Council on May 13 approved the purchase of a 4.79‑acre property on Cannon Boulevard from Hampton University, including a six‑story, 111,224‑square‑foot building, for $9,500,000. The motion passed with six councilors voting yes and Mayor Philip Jones recorded as abstaining.

City staff said the acquisition supports city facility needs and a public‑access strategy that could centralize city functions and allow evaluation of larger‑scale improvements to existing facilities. The city manager recommended approval and described the purchase as an opportunity to secure an ownership stake in the city center.

The resolution as presented authorized the purchase and asked staff to proceed with closing and follow‑up evaluation of facility planning and public access options. During the roll call, Mayor Jones announced a personal interest and abstained; the clerk recorded the final tally as 6–0 with one abstention.

Ending: Council moved on to subsequent agenda items after adopting the resolution; staff will return with implementation and next steps as required by purchase and capital planning procedures.","The council voted 6–0 with Mayor Jones abstaining to acquire a 4.79‑acre site on Cannon Boulevard, a six‑story, 111,224‑square‑foot building, for $9,500,000 to consolidate city facility needs and evaluate future improvements.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6561562,"Newport News council adopts FY2026 operating budget, five‑year CIP and wide package of ordinances",199,1326000,1525000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3289743-8ed862ba51caa98a43c410800b4bf1aa&start=1326&end=1525","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3289743-8ed862ba51caa98a43c410800b4bf1aa/thumbnail_1326000.jpg","/articles/6561562/Virginia/Newport-News-council-adopts-FY2026-operating-budget-fiveyear-CIP-and-wide-package-of-ordinances","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6561562-416d557b869dc129034a680cfd833720/orig.mp4?Expires=1771116118&Signature=Bgc5uOB59FaUB8mtV5WWMgX-c7lhddL4UJA1Mr8TB5Z-cTrO1ksBT1eoIUU2UfXLfUzmGHaImrLr2zyvpq3rtudrPBOw7BVbDpE465ffWo7gYUz5pXo-46fuZjRSc0vIneWjarR5BDDFRX9lT7Sneo8USTiyLUXOEycv-UUkJQIesTKnn8BywRGagmgZIGAqd~jh3PqPndH1Qy3H8AzCO3xLKrz47~j2n5rDuy7Qmqq8JaxhBOq4l58q42oaNpN-7xtWXjE0SoqRZ10z9siglrSW-JGyw-U35GG-7F9fhhUlsMQv-w75RHrsCoYsm4tGeznaLvq8ry~8GeqAPmnwaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Newport News City Council on May 13 adopted the fiscal year 2026 operating budget, approved a five‑year capital improvement plan and passed a slate of ordinances and resolutions covering tax code changes, water and sewer fees, personnel pay classifications and other city policies.

The measures, taken during a regularly scheduled council meeting at City Hall, passed largely on unanimous roll calls. Council also approved a capital spending plan the city manager described as a multi‑year list of projects and funding sources, and approved policy updates authorizing the city manager to pursue grant applications tied to flood mitigation.

Councilors and city staff said the adopted budget and CIP will fund building maintenance, street improvements and major investments in waterworks, stormwater and wastewater systems; examples mentioned in the meeting packet and manager's remarks included renovations to Warwick High School, Seafood Industrial Park work, neighborhood investment and athletic field lighting upgrades. The city manager's office transmitted the FY2026 CIP to council in October 2024 and presented a revised plan in April 2025 before final approval May 13.

Votes at a glance:
- Operating budget for fiscal year 2026 (ordinance to approve the budget and appropriate funds for 07/01/2025–06/30/2026): adopted, motion carried 7–0 (roll call recorded).
- Five‑year Capital Improvement Plan (resolution approving FY2026–FY2030 CIP and project list): approved, motion carried 7–0.
- Ordinance reordaining Chapter 40 (real estate taxes): adopted, 7–0.
- Ordinance amending Chapter 40 (tangible personal property/mobile home and public service corporation taxes): adopted, 7–0.
- Ordinance amending real estate tax deferral/exemptions for elderly/disabled persons: adopted, 7–0.
- Ordinance amending Chapter 42 (water rates and fees): adopted, 7–0.
- Ordinance amending Chapter 33 (sewer connection charges): adopted, 7–0.
- Resolution amending policy regarding sewage collection systems: adopted, 7–0.
- Ordinance amending Chapter 38 (streets and sidewalks permit requirements and fees): adopted, 7–0.
- Ordinance adopting a classification and pay plan for city employees: adopted, 7–0.
- Ordinance increasing paid military leave for employees to align with Code of Virginia update: adopted, 7–0.
- Resolution adopting the citywide safety action plan (50% reduction by 2046 target): adopted, 7–0.
- Resolution adopting a revised Flood Assistance Program policy and authorizing the city manager to apply for flood mitigation grants: adopted, 7–0.
- Resolution authorizing lease of Seafood Industrial Park to the Newport News Economic Development Authority (EDA) to support a seafood market project: adopted, 7–0.
- Consent items (minutes, and resolution consenting to appointment of Wesley A. Rogers as emergency management coordinator): adopted, 7–0.
- Appropriation: $15,000 from Commonwealth's attorney asset forfeiture fund for victim services/community outreach (H‑1): adopted, 7–0.

Most measures passed on unanimous roll calls after no speakers requested the public‑hearing items the council considered; where staff provided summaries, council members had little or no debate before moving to votes. The council meeting packet and staff comments provided the primary project and funding descriptions; the city manager's office recommended approval of the CIP and budget items.

Council members thanked the budget team and city staff multiple times during the meeting for their work on the budget process and public engagement. City staff said the CIP summary included a list of projects by category and a multi‑year funding plan; the meeting transcript records staff describing a multi‑year financial plan and listing major categories of projects, and cites specific aggregate figures in the oral presentation.

The measures take effect as specified by their ordinances and resolutions; council did not record additional substantive amendments during the meeting.

Ending: Council adjourned after final remarks of condolence to City Manager Alan Archer on a family death and routine announcements about community events.","On May 13 the Newport News City Council approved the fiscal year 2026 operating budget, a five‑year capital improvement plan and a series of ordinances and resolutions — all by unanimous votes — that update tax and utility codes and authorize several policy and program actions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press council on homelessness and proposed developments; council posts regional homeless study online

Council approves purchase of 4.79‑acre Cannon Boulevard property from Hampton University for $9.5 million; mayor abstains

Newport News council adopts FY2026 operating budget, five‑year CIP and wide package of ordinances