Property acquisition for Warwick Boulevard / Oyster Point intersection project approved
Plus, City adopts pay plan for fiscal year 2027; 100th anniversary of Newport News Waterworks; annual audit plan
The Newport News City Council met at a regular meeting on June 23 and among their actions was to authorize the city manager to acquire property from four parcels needed for intersection improvements at Warwick Boulevard and Oyster Point Road. The council voted unanimously to adopt an ordinance allowing voluntary purchase or condemnation of portions totaling approximately 40,000 square feet of permanent and temporary easements. In separate action, the council approved an amended classification and pay plan for fiscal year 2027 that establishes supplemental pays, tool allowances, and professional certifications for police, fire, waterworks, and heavy duty vehicle repair crews. The meeting also featured public hearings on conditional use permits, including approval of a commissary kitchen facility with modified operating hours after debate over potential noise impacts on neighboring residents.
The Warwick Boulevard and Oyster Point Road Improvement Project will construct a third southbound left-turn lane on Warwick Boulevard with a corresponding eastbound receiving lane on Oyster Point Road extending to Nettles Drive. Additional improvements include signal upgrades, sidewalk relocation, pedestrian refuge islands, ADA ramp modifications, stormwater system adjustments, and relocation of street lighting and an HRT bus shelter. The project aims to alleviate traffic congestion at the intersection.
The ordinance authorizes acquisition of property interests from four parcels: 300 Oyster Point Road, 340 Oyster Point Road, 12997 Nettles Drive, and 12998 Warwick Boulevard. The acquisitions encompass permanent right-of-way, permanent utility easements, temporary construction easements, traffic control easement, and pedestrian easement. The total estimated cost of $352,685 will be fully funded through fiscal year 2023 bond funds. No public speakers addressed the proposal before the council closed the public hearing and adopted the ordinance, both by 7-0 votes. Watch beginning at 0:15:18.
An approved ordinance amends the original classification and pay plan adopted in May. The updated info attaches complete step pay schedules for sworn public safety employees in the fire, police, and sheriff departments. The consolidated fiscal year 2027 compensation plan includes general salary schedules and an hourly salary schedule for seasonal, part-time, and temporary positions. Public safety pay plans feature structured step-by-step schedules for fire positions, police positions, and sheriff positions. The ordinance also establishes a schedule of supplemental pays and allowances for professional credentials, educational degrees, specialized certifications, shift differentials, and hazardous duty assignments.
The pay plan ranges include:
General Salary Levels (101–110): entry-level pay ranges from $37,440.00 minimum (Level 101) up to $93,101.97 maximum (Level 110), with midpoints listed for each.
General Salary Bands (201–204): higher pay ranges from $66,080.81 minimum (Band 201) up to $187,067.63 maximum (Band 204).
Executive Salary Bands (301–303): top-tier pay from $115,000.00 minimum (Band 301) up to $320,000.00 maximum (Band 303).
Watch the discussion beginning at 0:54:39.
The council addressed multiple land use matters and budget adjustments during the regular session meeting. The governing body also heard public comments on topics ranging from historical preservation and archaeological site management to concerns about transparency and small business opportunities under the city’s SWAM program.
The city issued a proclamation recognizing the 100th anniversary of Newport News Waterworks, which has served as a public utility for a century. On March 25, 1926, the Virginia General Assembly approved the city’s purchase of the Newport News Light and Water Company. The waterworks has played a vital role in protecting public health, supporting economic development, and ensuring sustainable management of water resources. The proclamation honored the department’s commitment to meeting the needs of current and future generations. The council thanked the waterworks for supporting their mission for 100 years through the ceremonial presentation, beginning at 0:10:47.
The council approved an ordinance authorizing the city manager to execute a lease agreement with Virginia Living Museum, Inc., with a 7-0 vote following a public hearing. The lease agreement facilitated by the Development Department aligns with the city’s strategic priorities for Education and Learning. No public speakers addressed the proposal during the hearing. The council closed the public hearing by a 7-0 vote before adopting the ordinance unanimously. The lease agreement continues the city’s partnership with the nonprofit educational institution, beginning at 0:16:02.
The council approved a resolution authorizing the city manager to execute a third amendment to a lease with Cellco Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, by a 7-0 vote. The amendment permits continued use, maintenance, and installation of communications equipment on the Ground Air Transmission Site Tower located off Crawford Road in York County. No public speakers commented on the proposal during the public hearing. The council closed the public hearing and approved the resolution, both by 7-0 votes. The lease amendment maintains the telecommunications infrastructure on the city-owned tower site, beginning at 0:16:37.
The council approved a conditional use permit for a food preparation storage facility following extensive debate. Carol McIntosh Totten, a neighboring homeowner at 619 34th Street, opposed the project citing noise concerns and impact on her retirement home, stating the applicant originally described the building differently. The applicant, Sharon Owens Clark, clarified the commissary kitchen would serve the community for food trucks, caterers, teaching facilities, funeral homes, churches, and food banks, noting the closest commissary kitchen is in Norfolk. Clark stated she invested over $100,000 of personal money in the project and that hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. would not be viable since shipyard food trucks need facility access by 5:00-6:00 a.m. The planning commission initially deferred the application April 1, 2026, with a 5-4 vote before recommending the compromise hours May 6, 2026. Council members noted that food preparation typically requires early morning hours for breakfast service, and the vice mayor stated the conditional use permit can be revoked if conditions are violated. The motion to amend the hours to 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. carried 7-0, and the final amended motion carried 5-2, beginning at 0:17:24.
Council members approved a conditional use permit to allow operation of a family day home childcare facility for up to 12 children at 2111 Oak Avenue. The property is zoned R4 single family dwelling and falls under the Planning Department’s oversight. The permit aligns with city priorities on Education and Learning and Welcoming Communities. No public speakers commented during the hearing. The council closed the public hearing and adopted the ordinance, both by 7-0 votes, beginning at 0:48:52.
A conditional use permit to allowing operation of a banquet hall and event facility was approved. Operating conditions at at 14700 Warwick Boulevard on a 1.07-acre parcel zoned C1 retail commercial include an occupancy cap of 220 people, digital exterior video surveillance, an 11:00 p.m. closing time, and a formal requirement to close a driveway entrance near Warwick Boulevard due to safety concerns. One speaker was listed on the agenda but no public comment was recorded. The council closed the public hearing and adopted the ordinance, both by 7-0 votes, beginning at 0:50:32.
A resolution adopting the annual audit plan for fiscal year 2027 presented by the Office of City Auditor with a 7-0 vote was adopted. The comprehensive plan establishes audit workflow including planning, fieldwork, and reporting, and schedules targeted risk-mitigation audits in areas including municipal cybersecurity, fixed assets, business loans, fleet management, and EMS billing. The Office of City Auditor is charged with developing and executing the annual comprehensive audit plan based on a city-wide risk assessment, with audits enhancing effectiveness, efficiency, and compliance across all departments and programs. Mariah Martin spoke during the hearing questioning why a large portion of the budget goes to public safety and police, asking why children have a 10-7 p.m. curfew if money is already allocated to safety, and suggesting redirecting funds to education and resources for children, beginning at 0:51:16.
Recent reporting from the Newport News Daily:
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