The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutJUNE 9, 2026 SPECIAL FORMAL SESSION MINUTES PO U �s ao �4 �9*d of O VIRGINL4 BEACH CITY COUNCIL Virginia Beach, Virginia JUNE 9,2026 Mayor Robert M. Dyer called to order the CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL FORMAL SESSION in the City Council Conference Room, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 2:32 P.M. Council Members Present: Michael F.Berlucchi,Stacy Cummings,Mayor Robert M.Dyer,Barbara M.Henley, David Hutcheson, Robert W. "Worth" Remick, Dr. Amelia N. Ross-Hammond, Jennifer Rouse,Joashua F. "Joash"Schulman and Rosemary Wilson Council Members Absent: Cal "Cash"Jackson-Green—Attending High School Graduation 2 MAYOR'S CALL FOR SPECIAL SESSION ITEM#78422 "HONORABLE MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL In accordance with the Virginia Beach City Code Section 2-21, and by the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Virginia Beach, I hereby call for a SPECIAL FORMAL SESSION of the VIRGINZA BEACH CITY COUNCIL Tuesday,June 9, 2026, at 2:30 P.M. City Council Conference Room 2034 Building I—2nd Floor 2401 Courthouse Drive The purpose of this SPECIAL FORMAL SESSION is to allow the City Council,following its regularly scheduled Formal Session as listed in the attached agenda, to convene into a Closed Session to consider the following matters: • Publicly Held Property—District 6 • Public Contract— VB National Golf Course RFP • Personnel Matters—Council Appointments: Council Boards, Commissions, Committees, Authorities,Agencies, Taskforces and Appointees At the Conclusion of the Closed Session, the City Council will reconvene into Open Session for the purpose of certifying the Closed Session. The Special Formal Session will be broadcast on the Cable TV, virginiabeach.g and Facebook Live. Sincerely, Robert M. Dyer Mayor" Enclosure cc: City Manager City Attorney City Clerk Deputy City Managers FOL4 Officer Communications Office June 9, 2026 ofVirginia LA ° � City B each � � a OF 0 F1 10,110" Virginia Beach.gov MUNICIPAL CENTER,BUILDING 1 2401 COURTHOUSE DRIVE Robert M. 'Bobby" Dyer VIRGINIA BEACH,VA 23456-9000 MAYOR OFFICE:(757)385-4581 CELL:(757)749-4659 BDYERD.VBGOV.COM June 9, 2026 HONORABLE MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL In accordance with the Virginia Beach City Code Section 2-21, and by the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Virginia Beach, I hereby call for a SPECIAL FORMAL SESSION of the VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL: Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 2:30 P.M. City Council Conference Room 2034 Building 1 — 2"d Floor 2401 Courthouse Drive The purpose of this SPECIAL FORMAL SESSION is to allow the City Council, following its regularly scheduled Formal Session as listed in the attached agenda, to convene into a Closed Session to consider the following matters: • Publicly Held Property— District 6 • Public Contract—VB National Golf Course RFP • Personnel Matters—Council Appointments: Council Boards, Commissions, Committees, Authorities, Agencies, Taskforces and Appointees At the Conclusion of the Closed Session, the City Council will reconvene into Open Session for the purpose of certifying the Closed Session. The Special Formal Session will be broadcast on the Cable TV, virginiabeach.gov and Facebook Live. Sincerely, Robert M. Dyer Mayor Enclosure cc: City Manager City Attorney City Clerk Deputy City Managers FOIA Officer Communications Office 3 CITY COUNCILS BRIEFINGS 2026 HURRICANE OUTLOOK ITEM#78423 2:34 P.M. Mayor Dyer welcomed David Topczynski, Director—Emergency Management. Mr. Topczynski expressed his appreciation to City Council for their continued support and distributed copies of today's presentation, attached hereto and made apart of the record. Mayor Dyer expressed his appreciation to Mr. Topczynski for the presentation. June 9, 2026 ,. t,s- ', :,�.;'* r;�? a a '�»'c�gym'`^*°�,✓_+�^ ,�n« .<�s:,. ,,°. .,�c. ..; ,'S�*a .. .:£., ,,..,.. r �,. .. A„'`„� � ... ..,... ,n•_ :. .r a au t,. r% �x�N-�.a. ,��,rK-. ,,�: r`�;a , 2026 HURRICANE SEASON Preparedness Briefing Emergency J Y Management Dave Topczynski I June 9, 2026 foods and rain stretched hundreds of miles north of Helene on September26 • • • • i if • NOAA has 70% confidence this season's activity will be `below-normal'. Forecast: 8-14 named storms, 3-6 becoming hurricanes, and 1-3 growing to be major hurricanes. El Nino conditions are expected to develop over the summer. • Makes it harder for tropical storms to develop, leading to a lower number of storms overall, but does not reduce the risk. • Reminder, it only takes one storm to cause significant disruptions. • Rainfall from tropical storms was the deadliest hazard over the past decade (NOAA). • Impacts are experienced far away from a storm's location. • Storm remnants often cause significant issues from heavy rain, increased tornado risk, and gusty winds toppling trees and power lines. 11vr l TI-PkW Sf—C—M ep�hkV M.ftrt C.nNina�-h C—h-bo onA plf 31,20M 2 Resident & Business Preparedness • Start of hurricane season is a reminder for residents & businesses to review how severe weather can impact them. CoastalHurricane and • Now is the time to take a moment to consider: Storm Preparedness • Insurance: Is it up to date? What conditions are covered and how much? Is separate flood insurance needed? • Evacuations: Where can you stay if an evacuation is ordered or if your home is damaged? What about their pets? What do you need if you can't leave bMwMww.w.wc....w wr r.'ww.•....r.. .w.r+wwewar.n.a .uw..w......e...... your home for several days? ---r-�-- � - �-•�•» 1.1lMr.tp.s...w N...✓w q.-.r w.rr.eMr.f • Notifications: Are you registered for VBAlert to receive official alerts and Iy.M.Y�.Crp>r1.y.i.Nm.. »..rwx aw*wn.'UW M)My1..•OM.1 r+Mw rr updates? ""�."".� ",_ .,.......,r,,...,......,�. Mr]II.s.Mt w..a:rw rrM.M1.i.e.w.vn wv9a+ne..ah'd "Mw..n NY.aNG}v.rry..,`r.. M.I.wnwMeM V.wn.a.9v+.. w•r.rrY wf 4.M In env... • Do any family, friends, or neighbors need help preparing? (.fff ty,yy.M wvs ".4.t1• G Y..n:n YMrY.N 1p.N nTlre.t rrv.w M wyr.N.unp`.ryM • Additional preparedness information can be found on the City's Emergency Preparedness webpage. www.virginiabeach.gov/services/emergency-preparedness 3 Preparedness Efforts • Keeping the City prepared to manage incidents of any magnitude or type is a year-round effort. • Last year, our Emergency Management (EM) Division conducted or participated in over 300 hours of training or exercises with many departments, agencies, and community partners. • In addition to our standard preparedness activities: • City was recertified as a 'Storm Ready Community' by the National Weather Service (NWS). • FEMA conducted a review of our emergency alerting capabilities, which we exceeded. • Council adopted the City's first, dedicated, Disaster Recovery Plan. • City's Emergency Shelter Plan was reviewed and updated. • Conducted a regional evacuation workshop to coordinate resources during an evacuation. • These actions help align us with the recommendations from the FEMA Review Council. t. Preparedness • CorkT�7�� • Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Modernization Project: • Completed a full upgrade of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). • Added an integrated, Field EOC to our equipment cache. • Completed and implemented a switch to a new disaster management application, ESRI EM Solution, to improve information sharing and situational awareness. • Expanded the Watch Desk in partnership with ECCS. • Conducting an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Exercise with Virginia Task Force 2. • Multiple departments are conducting additional training for damage assessments, debris management, public alerting, and search & rescue. p 5 • Actions for an Approac orm UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS IS CRITICAL TO STAY UPDATED AND PROVIDE RESIDENTS WITH RELIABLE, ACCURATE INFORMATION. Confidence � � Monitori-a • .. EM Staff monitor daily Once forecast confidence Critical decisions: • Determine impacts NHC reports. is over 50%: • Evacuation Orders to protect life and • Begin monitoring • Declaration of Emg. property. When a storm forms,an Excessive Rainfall • Evacuation Centers • Assess status of the EM staff member is Outlook. Operating condition Community Lifelines assigned to monitor it's . Model possible Requesting . Conduct initial development. impacts. resources damage assessments • Conduct initial in Emergency contract • Begin following Depending on forecast: planning meetings. activations recovery planning • May begin issuing VB . Public messaging. cycle Weather Briefings. . Department storm • Request assistance. • Provide briefings to preparation. leadership. Emergency Management is your avenue for accurate, reliable information. Our goal is to communicate with you early on and keep you updated regularly. 6 • Emergency Management conducts outreach across the City to educate residents on emergency preparedness. • Outreach Activities: • Attended the Public Safety Home School Day. • Delivered an Emergency Preparedness STEM program to 4t" & 5t" grade students in partnership with VBFD Fire & Life Safety. • Presented at the 1st Precinct's Citizen Advisory Committee. • Visited with civic leagues and community groups. • Upcoming Activities: • Presenting to residents through Libraries. "" r� • Scheduling our annual meeting with the Senior Resource Center. • Presenting to the Sandbridge Civic League. s rrd dl° 71 zr 7 Questions? Emergency Management �ry 4 CITY COUNCIL'S BRIEFINGS ATTAINABLE WORKFORCE HOUSING PERFORMANCE GRANT PROGRAM UPDATE ITEM#78424 2:52 P.M. Mayor Dyer welcomed Ruth Hill, Director and Sharon Shoff, Housing Development Manager—Housing & Neighborhood Preservation. Ms. Hill expressed her appreciation to City Council for their continued support and distributed copies of today's presentation, attached hereto and made apart of the record. Mayor Dyer expressed his appreciation to Ms. Hill and Ms. Shoff for the presentation. June 9, 2026 .,,,."4 rip= a . . t, ,.: ;zr✓r.: vd }oic:.: ". "..,cxi ,. .. ,,. Attainable Workforce Housing Performance Grant Program Update 2.20 Explore the opportunity to further encourage the development of new attainable workforce housing through potential efforts, such as expedited plan review and/or by reducing, waiving, or deferring fees for qualifying projects. Housing & Neighborhood Preservation I June 9, 2026 Staff Request of CityCounciI • Staff is proposing changes to current AWHP program policy to: • Conform with requirements of new state legislation • Align with program application document • Set a not-to-exceed performance grant award amount for the grant period • Changes are required to conform with new state legislation • City Council Feedback and Guidance Sought for not-to-exceed award amount Background • May 2025: Ordinance approved to establish Virginia Beach Attainable Workforce Housing Performance (AWHP) Grant Program • City of Virginia Beach and City of Virginia Beach Development Authority (VBDA) partnership • September 2025: Program officially launched; began accepting applications • Provides an incentive for private development of safe, quality, affordable multi-family rental housing. • Self-sustaining and performance-based: Annual grants are provided to a developer based on a percentage of the incremental real estate taxes generated by their approved development. 3 Pur ose of AWHP Grant Programp • To address shortage of affordable housing and further economic development • To incentivize the construction of new affordable rental housing units in Virginia Beach • Units that are rented and affordable to households at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) ($86,150 annual income for a household of four) • Program includes an incentive to provide units that are rented and affordable to households with incomes at or below 50% of AMI ($53,850 annual income for a household of four) • Intended to make the development of affordable housing more feasible by helping to fill funding gaps 4 v Recent State Legislation • HB 352 enacted in 2026 General Assembly session : Affordable Housing Performance Grant Programs • Allows any locality that meets the requirements of the Act may, by ordinance, establish an Affordable Housing Performance Grant Program • Indicates that the Performance Grant Program shall include reasonable regulations and provisions that are outlined in the legislation • HNp staff is proposing changes to the Cty's program to conform with the requirements of Me, inar-l-1tnn 5 Examples of Required Changes to Align with Legislation • Prior to the payment of any funds awarded, the property subject to the grant must be encumbered with a recorded restrictive covenant requiring the property to be used for affordable housing for the term of the grant agreement, not to exceed 30 years. • Other non-substantive changes to conform with the new legislation. • Add a specific definition of affordable housing • Must identify the local officer designated by the governing body to accept applications • Change to the timeline for the commencement of the grants: July 1st to January 1st of the year following completion of construction. �r, Additional Changes Proposed by Staff • Information contained in the current program application will be added to the policy such as: • Requirements for land use approvals • Definition of multi-family rental housing • Description of the occupancy, rent and utility allowance standards • Description of how compliance monitoring will be accomplished • Grant Award Changes 7 V 16 Current Policy : Grant Award • Performance Grant is capped at 100% of the amount of the incremental new real estate taxes to be levied and collected for improvements on the Project Site. • The amount is adjusted based on : • The percentage of residential square footage in the development; and • The percentage of units that are affordable in the development • A grant amount of two times the Performance Grant Percentage, up to 100% of the incremental value, is available to a qualified property if 20% or more of the residential units are affordable at or below 50% of the AM I . 8 Proposed Changes : Grant Award • Set a not-to-exceed performance grant award amount for the grant period • Amount based on : • Comparable Assessed Values of current affordable multi-family developments • Current real estate tax rate • Annual increase in assessed value of 3% per year over the grant period. This is based on standard underwriting assumptions for Virginia Housing lending and tax credit programs. • Annual tax amount reduced by base tax amount before improvements • Documented in Grant Agreement • Annual grant determined by actual assessment growth 9 ` Grant Award Example under Proposed Changes • 175 units: 100% affordable development and 100% Residential • Estimated assessed value at completion of $124,000/unit, or $21,700,000 based on recent assessed values of recently constructed affordable housing developments. • Current tax rate of $.97/$100 of assessed value = $210,490 taxes in year 1 • 3% annual escalation of assessed value • Base amount of real estate taxes before improvement: $17,897 • Not-to-Exceed amount of $9,477,254 f • Average Performance Grant Per Unit/Year: $1,805 10 Grant Award Example : PolicyComparisons Using 175-unit development example from previous slide Not-to-exceed amount = $9,F477,r254 Actual assessed value increased Actual assessed value increased annually at same tax rate annually at same tax rate 30-Year Total Grant: 30-Year Total Grant: - 30-Year Total Grant: Current Policy Proposed New Policy Current Policy Proposed New Polic If City pays the full amount of the No impact of the new policy on the incremental taxes each year, the owner owner. would receive the maximum grant amount at year 25 and could not request additional grant funds for the remaining grant term. Summary & Potential Next Steps Staff recommending proposed changes to current AWHP program policy to: • Conform with requirements of new state legislation • Align with the program application document • Set a not-to-exceed performance grant award amount for the grant period City Council Guidance Sought: • Should City staff move forward with not-to-exceed award amount changes? 12 Thank You ! Questions? VBCITY OF VIRGIN# �. � BOAC 13 5 CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION/INITMTIVES/COMMENTS ITEM#78425 3:59 P.M. Council Member Schulman expressed his appreciation to those who attended the District 9 Town Hall meeting last night at the Williams Farm Recreation Center regarding the Pleasure House Point Wetlands Restoration Project. Council Member Schulman commended Public Works stafffor theirpresentation which included information that the project is currently more than $3-Million under budget. Council Member Schulman explained the savings is due in part to purchasing wetlands mitigation credits, rather than relying on mitigation credits from other wetland banks, and that excess credits generated by the Pleasure House Point Project will support future flood protection initiatives. Council Member Schulman also expressed his appreciation to Hutton Strader, a local photographer,for providing drone footage of the project. June 9, 2026 6 CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION/INITMTIVES/COMMENTS ITEM#78426 (Continued) Council Member Schulman congratulated all of the High School graduates, including his twin daughters who are graduating Yh grade. Council Member Schulman also recognized his daughter, Alana, who was selected as poet laureate at her elementary school graduation ceremony. June 9, 2026 7 CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSIONANITL4TIVES/COMMENTS ITEM#7842 7 (Continued) Vice Mayor Wilson expressed concern regarding the state legislation for cameras on the arm of school buses to cite people for passing the bus after the arm is deployed. Vice Mayor Wilson advised she cares about the safety of children but has been contacted by four(4)people who received citations after passing buses when the stop arm was deployed, claiming they were unable to stop because the arm extended suddenly as they were already alongside the bus. Vice Mayor Wilson compared the $250.00 fine to other traffic camera violations such as the $50.00 for running a red light or the $100.00 fine for speeding in a school zone and believes the$250.00 can be burdensome, especially for those on fixed incomes. Vice Mayor Wilson further advised she shared her concerns with the Chair of the School Board and was informed that the School attorneys have spent a great deal of time in court and many of the cases are being dismissed. Vice Mayor Wilson asked the Body if they had any concerns and requested reviewing if additional delay time should be added between the bus stopping and the stop arm deploying. June 9, 2026 8 CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION/INITIATIVES/COMMENTS ITEM#78428 (Continued) Council Member Ross-Hammond advised Blackstreet is a Grammy Award-winning musical group that originated in District 4. Council Member Ross-Hammond advised they won a Grammy for the song, "No Diggity"and have sold over 7-Million albums. Council Member Ross-Hammond advised Blackstreet will be touring internationally this month and would like to have a Resolution prepared for presentation to the group when they return in July. Mayor Dyer expressed his support and suggested recognizing them with a ceremonial street naming as well. Mayor Dyer added, Blackstreet performed during the State of the City a couple of years ago and sang the National Anthem a cappella, which many people said was the best rendition they had heard. June 9, 2026 9 CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION/INITIATIVES/COMMENTS ITEM#78429 (Continued) Mayor Dyer provided an update on the Mayoral Task Force for a Safer Virginia Beach, advising the first meeting will be held on Thursday with Co-Chairs Senator New Craig and Delegate Feggans with Delceno Miles, Virginia Beach's First Citizen, serving as moderator. Mayor Dyer advised this process will be conducted transparently with public meetings and community outreach and is expected to conclude in October in order for recommended legislation to be considered by the General Assembly. Mayor Dyer believes this work will strengthen the Body's relationship with the General Assembly and will have a positive outcome. Mayor Dyer further advised that Newport News is considering declaring a curfew to address issues with disruptive youth in their city, adding his belief that the curfew helped prevent further incidents and reinforced the City message that visitors are welcome but disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. June 9, 2026 10 ITEM#78430 Mayor Robert M. Dyer entertained a motion to permit City Council to conduct its CLOSED SESSION, pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A), Code of Virginia, as amended,for the following purpose: PUBLICLY HELD PROPERTY. Discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real property for public purpose; or of the disposition of publicly-held property, where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body pursuant to Section 2.2-3 711(A)(3). • District 6 PUBLIC CONTRACT: Discussion of the award of a public contract involving expenditure of public funds, and discussion of terms or scope of such contract, where discussion in an open session would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(29) • VB National Golf Course RFP PERSONNEL MATTERS: Discussion, consideration, or interviews of prospective candidates for employment, assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salaries, disciplining or resignation of specific public officers, appointees or employees of any public body pursuant to Section 2.2-3711(A)(1) • Council Appointments: Council, Boards, Commissions, Committees,Authorities,Agencies and Appointees June 9, 2026 11 ITEM#78430 (Continued) Upon motion by Council Member Hutcheson, seconded by Council Member Ross-Hammond, City Council voted to proceed into CLOSED SESSION at 3:29 P.M. Voting: 10- 0 Council Members Voting Aye: Michael F.Berlucchi, Stacy Cummings,Mayor Robert M.Dyer,Barbara M.Henley, David Hutcheson, Robert W. "Worth" Remick, Dr. Amelia N. Ross-Hammond, Jennifer Rouse, Joashua F. "Joash"Schulman and Rosemary Wilson Council Members Absent: Cal "Cash"Jackson-Green Break 3:29 P.M. —3:36 P.M. Closed Session 3:36 P.M. — 5:15 P.M. June 9, 2026 12 CERTIFICATION ITEM#78431 Mayor Dyer RECOIWENED the Special Formal Session in the City Council Conference Room at 5:1 S P.M. Upon motion by Council Member Ross-Hammond, seconded by Council Member Schulman, City Council CERTIFIED THE CLOSED SESSION TO BE INACCORDANCE WITH THE MOTION TO RECESS Only public business matters lawfully exempt from Open Meeting requirements by Virginia law were discussed in Closed Session to which this certification resolution applies. AND, Only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening the Closed Session were heard, discussed or considered by Virginia Beach City Council. Voting: 9- 0 Council Members Voting Aye: Michael F.Berlucchi,Stacy Cummings,Mayor Robert M.Dyer,Barbara M.Henley, David Hutcheson, Robert W. "Worth" Remick, Dr. Amelia N. Ross-Hammond, Joashua F. "Joash"Schulman and Rosemary Wilson Council Members Absent: Cal "Cash"Jackson-Green Jennifer Rouse-Left the meeting at 4:31 P.M. June 9, 2026 �Qy1N�BFq�,y O4 OF OUR Rat\ON RESOL UTION CERTIFICATION OF CLOSED SESSION VIRGINL4 BEACH CITY COUNCIL WHEREAS: The Virginia Beach City Council convened into CLOSED SESSION,pursuant to the affirmative vote recorded in ITEM#78430 on Page 11 and in accordance with the provisions of The Virginia Freedom of Information Act, and, WHEREAS:Section 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia requires a certification by the governing body that such Closed Session was conducted in conformity with Virginia law. NOW, THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED: That the Virginia Beach City Council hereby certifies that, to the best of each member's knowledge, (a)only public business matters lawfully exempted from Open Meeting requirements by Virginia law were discussed in Closed Session to which this certification resolution applies; and, (b) only such public business matters as were identified in the motion convening this Closed Session were heard, discussed or considered by Virginia Beach City Council. Ama ar es, C City Clerk June 9, 2026 13 ADJOURNMENT ITEM#78432 Mayor Robert M. Dyer DECLARED the City Council SPECIAL FORMAL SESSIONADJOURNED at 5.16 P.M. Terry rebus Chief Deputy City Clerk AinknksB s, C Robert M. Dyer City Clerk Mayor City of Virginia Beach Virginia June 9, 2026