City Council adopts long-term comprehensive plan
Unanimous vote approves collective bargaining ordinance for eligible Newport News city employees; public schools tax referendum
The city council unanimously adopted a comprehensive plan guiding development through 2045 and approved an ordinance establishing collective bargaining rights for eligible city employees at its meeting Tuesday. The plan was approved at the council’s regularly scheduled meeting earlier this week and will guide the city’s development through 2045, aligning with strategic priorities including health, safety, economic prosperity, and environmental stewardship.
The collective bargaining ordinance, effective July 14, 2026, authorizes and governs collective bargaining for city employees, with the council emphasizing the measure as an opportunity for public employees to gain workplace protections similar to those available to private sector workers. A resolution was also approved initiating a referendum that will ask voters to authorize a local sales tax increase of up to 1 percent to fund school construction and major renovations.
Updated comprehensive plan sets housing and growth priorities through 2045
The new comprehensive plan aims to create more housing opportunities to meet the city’s objectives through 2045, addressing growth needs while balancing strategic priorities including health, safety, well-being, opportunity, economic prosperity, welcoming communities, connected neighborhoods, quality government, innovation, and environmental stewardship. It is organized around six themes: a prosperous and resilient city, a sustainable city, an accessible city, a healthy and safe city, a city that celebrates its uniqueness, and a city that balances good places and new spaces. An implementation chapter outlines tools for carrying out the plan alongside a time-phased action matrix.
The previous plan was adopted in 2018 to serve as a general guide for the city’s future development. State law requires the city to review its comprehensive plan every five years, and in 2024 the city determined that an update was needed and began the process. The updated plan is the result of substantial public outreach over a two-year period, incorporating general input and specific recommendations from the community, and reflects current conditions with a policy framework and implementation plan for the city. Confidence was expressed that the updated plan will provide clear guidance for future development decisions while maintaining the city’s commitment to balanced growth. The discussion is available beginning at 25:31.
Collective bargaining ordinance passes unanimously after strong union and community support
The collective bargaining ordinance generated significant public support, with multiple union representatives and community members speaking in favor during the meeting. The ordinance was framed as addressing not just wages but working conditions, allowing employees to decide whether to pursue union representation, with the personal significance of the issue noted, including family histories with collective bargaining and years of community advocacy that led to this point. Fiscal responsibility will be maintained while giving employees a voice at the table, according to the mayor.
Speakers included representatives from several labor unions and public safety associations representing laborers, police, firefighters, steelworkers, and electrical workers, all expressing support for allowing city employees to organize. Task force members thanked the council for its investments in public safety, including pay scales, staffing levels, and infrastructure, and said the board’s recommendations were fair. The discussion is available beginning at 28:10.
Voters to decide on sales tax increase for school construction
A referendum was unanimously initiated asking voters whether the city may levy an additional local general retail sales and use tax at a rate not to exceed 1 percent. Revenue would be used solely for capital projects for construction or major renovation of schools serving the city, under state law. The referendum will address aging school buildings with a stable revenue source, with approximately $233 million in deferred maintenance accumulated over about 15 years according to a council member.
The school board chair and council members thanked each other for their partnership, noting the school board’s appreciation for fiscal support amid budget constraints and describing the referendum as a long-sought opportunity for voters to weigh in on repairing aging schools. The referendum approach had previously stalled over a preference for a regional solution but will now move forward for a November 3rd vote. The discussion is available beginning at 1:16:51.
Memorial resolution honors longtime planning department employee with flower garden
A memorial resolution honored a longtime planning department employee, establishing a flower garden reflecting her decades of service and her lifelong passion for flowers and plants. The discussion is available beginning at 5:24.
Mayor proclaims July as Disability Pride Month, honoring community contributions
July 2026 was proclaimed Disability Pride Month, affirming the dignity and contributions of people with disabilities and commemorating the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act. The presentation is available beginning at 17:02.
Proclamation celebrates local women’s club’s 115 years of community service
A local women’s club’s 115th anniversary was recognized, honoring 115 years of community service including education support, arts promotion, and anti-trafficking efforts. The presentation is available beginning at 20:32.
Council approves property acquisition to advance sewer replacement infrastructure project
Property acquisition for a sewer replacement project was authorized through an ordinance empowering the city manager to execute all documents necessary to acquire portions of property, whether through voluntary sale or condemnation. No speakers were present for the public hearing on the matter. A 7-0 vote closed the public hearing, and a 7-0 vote adopted the ordinance, moving forward with the infrastructure improvements needed for the project. The discussion is available beginning at 23:59.
Vote postpones community development authority amid resident concerns and input needs
Consideration of an ordinance creating a proposed community development authority was postponed by a 7-0 vote, citing the need for more community input and concerns from an affected district about a related housing act and the proposal’s impact on residents. The discussion is available beginning at 24:42.
Consent agenda approves multiple routine city administrative and funding items
Several items on the consent agenda were approved with a 7-0 vote covering multiple agenda items. The discussion is available beginning at 26:43.
An ordinance amending city code to establish that deputy and assistant city attorneys, paralegals, legal assistants, and other employees within the department of law are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the city attorney
A resolution authorizing the city manager to submit one state transportation grant application to be included in a state transportation program and six-year improvement plan for improvements on an avenue, with a projected cost of $12 million, fully grant funded on a reimbursement basis and requiring no city match, consisting of pedestrian improvements and turn-lane operational adjustments
Acceptance of a $1,000 donation from a private foundation to the prosecutor’s office for a youth transition award
Cancellation of a regular city council meeting scheduled for September 2026
Acceptance and appropriation of a $50,000 grant from a state criminal justice services agency to support efforts to combat hate crimes
Business owner reports ongoing homelessness impacts near local day shelter
A business owner near a day shelter described repeated incidents of trespassing and public defecation on her property during the citizens comment period. The comments are available beginning at 49:25.
Ordinance updates towing advisory board membership to meet new state law
An ordinance updated the towing advisory board, adding two public members to meet a state law requirement effective July 1, 2026. The discussion is available beginning at 1:12:53.
City approves small land purchase for water utility department operations
A 0.58-acre parcel was purchased for the water utility department. The property will be purchased from two private landowners for $66,769, funded via an enterprise land fund. The resolution appropriates $66,769 for the purchase and future use. No public speakers addressed the item, and the city manager recommended approval. The vote carried 7-0. The discussion is available beginning at 1:13:49.
Federal grant funds police training and specialized law enforcement equipment
Federal grant funding of $156,527 from a justice assistance grant program was accepted and appropriated. The funding will support police department training and specialized equipment. No public speakers addressed the item, and the city manager recommended approval. The vote carried 7-0. The discussion is available beginning at 1:14:25.
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