City Council Meeting, 5/5/2026

everyone. Uh we're about ready to get started. Mr. Dean.

So, thank you.

So, Mr. Mayor, actually um this time it's um council's opportunity to review the the draft reconciliation letter, mayor, that was set by you and the vice mayor to the members of the council. But um madame vice mayor, we do have Kevin Shadelier ready to talk to council about tax relief. Do you want to do that now or do you want to wait till after the council?

Um everybody not everybody realizes that we do have some different abilities for people to get some tax relief. And we we heard from, you know, I've lived in my house for 40 years and I still can't, you know, I'm not able to afford the taxes and there are a couple of sort of like vows that people can use and make sure everybody was aware of these. So, I thought it'd be a good idea

um if we could get Kevin to just kind of go over these things. There's, you know, a tax a tax freeze, a tax deferment, and some other things. And that way too when he u constituents call you can also refer them to these programs. So if you don't mind hear from Kevin do you want to hear from now or would you rather wait until I I think we should go ahead and set the

table now because yeah I think let's start it off on positive then we're going to end on a positive end.

So Mr. Mayor, with that Kevin will come and give city council a quick overview of the tax relief programs and also where we currently compare to our regional um regional pair cities as it relates to tax rates based on as of today. [snorts] Welcome.

Thank you, mayor, vice mayor, members of city council. Um with no further ado, everybody knows the context of the slide deck I'm going to work through here briefly. Uh so at the request um the discussion was and the thought that perhaps as a part of the overall budget development um the priority and the focus really became uh conversation about the personal property tax relief.

Here we go. Let me see if this worked this time.

There we go. Uh and so the purpose of this kind of talk about a little bit more than the personal property tax relief initiative being um proposed to added um to be add as part of the FY2627 operating budget. Typically whenever we talk about how comparative Virginia Beach is in terms of tax rates, this is the slide or the table that we typically include as part of the annual budget um

as well as the slide budget presentation slide deck. You can see looking down here quickly, Virginia Beach is either the lowest or second lowest or tied for lowest in majority of these tax and fee categories. There's a few that are um in bold where we got updated information since the time of the proposed budget coming out uh with um for example working across the top there uh the city

of SUFFK their proposed budget included a 1 cent reduction in its real estate tax rate. Um, looking down further, personal property boats, Newport News is moving away from the uh, personal property boat tax and looking to implement a fee in lie of the tax. Um, the next bolded one is in the solid waste fee where Hampton's made a modification to their monthly waste collection fee. And then the last one

down at the bottom, the hotel flat tax where Suffix proposed an increase of $1 in that. Uh but whenever we talk about the tax rates at this level, um there's actually a much deeper dive that can be done to get a sense of how competitive or how much additional tax relief um and tax burden Virginia Beach is um providing to the residents. Um so if you look at real estate for example, a

locally administered and implemented program is the elderly disabled tax relief initiative. This is something that city council's had in place for a long time. Uh the parameters of the program are highlighted here where an individual who's 65 years or older and permanently disabled uh lives here in Virginia Beach as a resident.

As long as the income um within the household um does not exceed a certain threshold um which I'll show on the next slide uh then the individuals eligible or the households eligible to receive either up from a 20% up to 100% of real estate tax exemption meaning it's possible [clears throat] based on their income that an individual might not have to pay a real estate tax bill at all. Uh

so one of the things that we do annually as part of the operating budget process is we look to modify uh or we do modify the income thresholds based on the um percentage increase of assessment increase for single family median single family homes um within the city's um real estate tax levy. So you can see here uh this is a visual of the income thresholds. So kind of explaining this

uh individual or household uh with total income from 0 to $66,700 is eligible if meeting all the other parameters of the program or requirements of the program to receive up to 100% exemption. And then you have a um these different categories. The next range provides an opportunity for 80% exemption, 60% exemption, 40% and 20%. Um, I mentioned the policy that we have in place where we look to modify

this each year as part of the operating budget process. The thresholds for this program also established by city council at that point in time was a policy in which Virginia Beach would compare ourselves and get a sense of benchmarking our program offerings with others within the area. I do the last time that was done um it was included as part of the FY2425 operating budget. Um,

so I do have copies of that here if city council would like to have that for reference, but it is um available publicly online. Um, and I can last time we were looking at it, Virginia Beach was um, significantly more um, generous generous in the offering of this locally administered program. Um, so there's a lot of nuances. So, for example, um based on the eligibility, an individual can enroll in the program

regardless of the assessed value of their home. If the individual lives in a million-doll house but meets all the other parameters, they can receive exemption um based on their income, whereas other localities uh have a cap.

So they'll limit the enrollment within the program or the amount of relief that can be received in the program based on the median home value um within the locality. So again, Virginia Beach is very um generous in in this locally administered program.

Another program Virginia Beach has and not other all not all of the Hampton Roads localities have is the tax freeze program. So the framework of the program is in the eligibility criteria is much in line with the tax um relief for elderly and disabled um with a few exceptions. Uh for example, you can see it underlined here. The income threshold for eligibility in this program is $114,62.

This also increases annually based on the uh percentage increase in median single family homes for Virginia Beach.

So the whole purpose of that and the direction of that was that as long as the income thresholds continue to grow grow then inflation and social security adjustments won't price people out of the eligibility of these programs. Uh the other primary difference between the exemption program and this program is this is exactly what it says. This is a freeze, meaning the individual, if they

um so choose to enroll or become eligible to enroll in it, then what will occur is the individual's tax bill will be frozen um at the previous year tax amount in perpetuity um until they're determined no longer to be eligible for the program or something else changes.

But what this actually allows is um whether an individual experienced a home assessment increase of 3% or 30% year-over-year. If they're eligible for this, their tax bill will not increase um higher than the previous year's tax bill.

The last one that um I want to touch on real quick is the mandated program. So this is the veterans tax relief program.

talked about it with city council um and in uh previous years as part of this budget process as a significant budget driver due to the amount of growth year-over-year we're seeing in this um seeing up to 22 23% enrollment um within the program growing each year. And I'll get to a summary slide with the revenue estimates associated with these tax relief programs, but this one's about $46 million in FY27.

Uh looking at personal property um first slide here is the initiative being put forward as part of the proposed budget the city council is looking to consider and adopt. So um this will provide a 10.1% property tax credit on the first um 20,000 of a vehicle's assessed value. So being that personal property is a calendar year tax, this would be effective starting January 2027 and a part of the next June

billing cycle um when majority of the personal property taxes are due. The parameters of this mirror um that of the state program. Um and like I said, the first $20,000 is where this percentage would be applied. Basically capping the dollar amount at $80 per vehicle, but there's not a limit to the number of vehicles that will be eligible for this local tax relief credit.

Um, a couple of other ones I wanted to work in that are in line um with real estate and um talking about personal property is the personal property uh for disabled veterans. There's a lower tax rate in place currently right now of a $150 as opposed to the $4 um which is the uh typical vehicle personal property tax rate. state code allows for a lower tax rate to be applied to this category

and it's specific as to um the eligibility in the criteria for it as um included in the verbiage here. Uh you might notice that there's an underline to where it says a vehicle regularly used by veteran or is used for a veteran. Um because there's another personal property tax relief program u for disabled veterans and this one's a mandated program. So, similar to the real estate, there's also a

constitutional um amendment or inclusion where 100% of a um disabled veterans um one vehicle owned by disabled veterans exempt from personal property taxation.

So, this is more of a recent ad that came about whereas the lowered rate the city had had for quite a few years ahead of this constitutional amendment. And uh you might notice here that the word underlined is primarily. So, um there's nothing that precludes an individual uh from um being eligible for both of these and getting 100% exemption on one vehicle um and getting a lower tax rate

on another vehicle um within the household which they primarily are regularly use.

U there are other uh personal property real estate uh or excuse me personal property tax relief initiatives. Um, but to try to be concise with the time, I didn't um put additional slide decks in here to talk about the millionth of a cent tax uh rate that's applied to elderly and disabled personal property vehicles or the um EMS volunteer personal vehicles. But if you see here on the summary slide, uh the total

amount for the programs that were included in the slide deck is about $77.1 million. That's including estimates and numbers for everything except for the personal property veterans relief which is the mandated um similar to the accounting mechanism um and how the real estate tax exemption is applied for this. The personal property is applied in the same way and that we don't even actually see those assessed

values hit the levy um that we see and use to make revenue projections. It's netted out of it. So, I reached out to the commissioner of revenue and I can certainly get a sense of what that number is and if city council would like I can follow up with that information but trying to be mindful of the time. I just wanted to work through that really quickly.

Okay, we'll go rosemary and then work.

Thank you for doing this Kevin as always. You do such a wonderful job. We used to have one that was also a tax deferred program that you could put your taxes off until the house was sold or passed on to an heir. Do we [clears throat] still have that in place as well?

No. Um based on the recommendations, I think it was 2016 whenever the committee looked at this and did a deep dive evaluation. The citizen committee um there's the tax uh freeze program. Um, and at that point in time, a decision was made to not continue the tax deferral system or tax deferral program, but there is an option for that to be an eligibility as some of the other Hampton Rose localities do have that. But I

might have said something wrong because here's Dana to correct me.

Just just one caveat, Vice Mayor, there is a deferral option for um properties that are in the neighborhood dredging SSDs. So if you qualify for the partial exemption or the full exemption, you can do a partial deferral of the SSD levies um just like you could have done for the real estate taxes. So again, not wanting people to be priced out of their homes specifically through the SSD program.

There is that one piece of a deferral that remains.

Thank you. It's good information.

Hey, thanks mayor. Thank you Kevin. Uh could you go to slide number five and the income? How do you calculate income?

Is that social security? Is it um is it income from a job?

It's it's income reported um and verified by the commissioner revenue as little part of the renewal process. So yes, social security um any any income reported by the household on on their taxes.

Okay. And uh but net worth does have an effect does not have effect on this one.

Um so it it does the the fifth bullet point. Next question.

Okay, the fifth bullet point down um excluding the value of a home. So if somebody owns a $500,000 home, that can't, you know, that's not included as their as their net worth. Uh so the amount that the threshold that's monitored, reviewed, and looked at to determine somebody's eligibility, eligibility is the $350,000.

Right.

Quick. I'm sorry. Could you back up one slide? Yeah.

So, just because I'm gonna have a I have a couple people that keep asking me about this one. So, where what are we I missed it obviously. What are we changing on this one or not?

So, we are changing. So, this is cutting to the chase of what's included in the adopt or the budget or the ordinance for consideration. But the change is the maximum amount. So if you were to look in the current year's operating budget, the $66,700 would have been a lower amount.

But the top end because my people run into that 350 part. That's what that's not changed. So correct. You get to the 350, none of this matters. It just kind of makes it easier for not going to like it, but that's that's what it is. Okay.

Thanks.

Okay. Anybody else at this point? Okay.

That's useful information you know launch the discussion more about that the 350 doesn't correct it does not okay thank you other assets now so it's reconciliation day I know right the letter was mailed out emailed out about 10 o'clock this morning do people need to chance to keep reading it or are we ready to dive in sit back. It's very long.

Very long letter.

Yeah, I read it out loud.

In the six weeks since the budget was introduced, we have conducted four budget workshops, held two public hearings, and gathered input from the public through emails, phone calls, and submissions on SpeakUp BB and balancing act. Drawing on these points of of engagements, we have collaborated as a council to make um adjustments to the budget as we're going to be outlining in this letter. No

additional local funds or are added to the budget as a result of the following amendments, but instead they are funded through reallocation of budget reserves.

budgeted reserves. Number one is a youth sports and activities to further investment in youth sports and outdoor activities. 1.3 million is being dedicated for this purpose for support of next year's operating budget and future planning of these community needs. Specific allocations on this budget include number one $40,000 to provide a one-time contribution to Horizon Hampton Roads. This organization

provides free fiveweek summer program for kindergarten to 8th grade youth at Virginia Wesleyan University. Number two is $10,000 for a one-time sponsorship of the fifth annual EE Classic, a youth football tournament taking place from July 2nd to July 5th at the Princess Anne Athletic Complex.

Number three, $21,200 in onetime funding for support tuition waiverss for the Joe Smith Basketball Academy. Number four, $280,000 provide $40,000 in one-time maintenance funding grants to seven nonprofit little league that lease city facilities.

Number five, 62,000 for the Men of Fate basketball camp to be held at Virginia Beach Sports Center. And this in this amount, 32,000 is a one-time grant for camp expansion and the organization's reading academy. Number six, $14,000 to provide a one-time contribution to the Parks and Recreation Foundation for outgoing fundraising efforts related to park and playground enhancements within

Bay Colonies um coordination with the community's civic league.

Number seven, $25,000 to support programming for children and families at Scarbor Square Park. The Department of Parks and Recreation in coordination with the city parks will work collaboratively with residents at the Scarbor Square community to develop a programming plan that reflects community priorities and needs. Number eight, $150,000 for a fitness station at the currently underdeveloped Buckner Farms

Park. Number nine is the Salem Woods Civic Association is requesting park improvements to the neighborhood park.

The organization plans to provide $150,000 to the city. The city will match an additional $150,000.

Number 10. Following the city council's approval of the ITA master plan update, the city manager will provide a follow-up plan detailing the infrastructure and financial requirements needed to support the envision corridor, [clears throat] including cost estimates for public infrastructure and cross-country trail exploration of funding capacity and partnership opportunities with Virginia

Beach City Public Schools to support design and construction. construction of the cross country trail year 2 funding for capital project 10700 ITA athletic village and preservation [snorts] area plan is increased by $1,376,520.

[snorts] The next area is arts and culture. These adjustments are made through the allocation of the arts and culture reserve and al and reallocation of existing resources. Number 11 is the city of Virginia Beach's contribution to the Virginia Symphony shall be consolidated into a direct contribution within the Department of Cultural Affairs operating budget. The total contribution shall be an ongoing $200,000.

Number 12 is $100,000 in ongoing support of Mocha's capital campaign. And the 13 is $25,000 funding to support operations, visitor services, and community programming to the Virginia Beach Surf and Rescue Museum. Number 14 is $100,000 to increase the sustainability grant program administered by cultural affairs. Number 15 is to ensure accurate tracking of the arts and cultural dedication. City staff will report the

unexpended balance and the anticipated general fund balance reservation associated into the U dedication at at uh year end closeout. City council determines these accounting practices are insufficient and may provide alternative directions for the FY202728 budget process, including the possible creation of a special revenue fund for the arts and culture dedication. Other organizational contributions and support

number 16. Following the careful consideration of the COG committee, the budgeted reserve of $2.1 million for regional grants shall allocation with following committee's recommendations with a few exceptions. The remaining balance requested by the committee to be allocated to the COG process will instead be used for FY202627 to balance other operational needs identified during consiliation.

17, $15,000 to provide a one-time grant for Dreams Are Us, Inc. number 18, $50,000 to provide ongoing partnership to Fieldfest USA, a festival to honor the Filipino American Visitor History Month, continued contingent upon the festival's location being within the city of Virginia Beach. Number 19, $35 in one-time funding for Sunrise Christian Music Festival. Number 20 is $10,000 for the one-time

purchase and installation of a replacement neighborhood sign located at the entrance of the Alexandria neighborhood in collaboration with the Neighborhood Civic League.

Number 21 is $35,000 to provide ongoing fundraising for the last night on the town event hosted by the central business district association. This cost will be offset by redemption the tip funding reserve for contingencies capital improvement program 22. The management uh agreement with H Hometown Sports Management [clears throat and cough] improvements to the Virginia Beach Sportslex and Field Hockey Complex will

be amended to allow for city uh funded improvements in an amount not to exceed $5,638,500, an increase of 1.5 million. This amount shall come from existing appropriations in capital project 10393 sports flex field hockey national training center and renovations. Number 25, $50,000 for additional placemaking signage for the remaining historically African-American communities within the city. Number 24,

$50,000 to establish capital project 1731 Kings Grant sidewalk to form design for sidewalk near Kings Grant Road.

Number 25, 250,000 for improvements on Atlantic Avenue lighting to improve public safety in the resort area. Number 26, 250,000 for the purchase and installation of additional cameras for Atlantic Avenue. 27. The city manager shall provide a report on the feasibility of consolidating the FEMA warehouse and resource management facility operated by the fire department into one city- owned facility. Number

28. The city manager shall provide report in the use of Virginia juvenile community crime control act funds including background information of regional benchmarking and potential opportunities for improvements. Information provided will assist city council in the decisions in the making regarding future juvenile services provided within the city of Virginia Beach. Number 29.

The city manager shall provide a Penrook Town Center interconnectivity and mobility plan. The focus of this report shall be recommendations on how to improve pedestrian mobility of Town Center and surrounding areas. Number 30, $200,000 for a pool evaluating parking resolutions, including suggestions on on how to initiate parking concerns at Chesapeake Beach and Ocean Park. Number 31, the

city manager shall provide a report on the feasibility of implementing a 48 [snorts] hour work week for the Virginia Beach Fire Department. This study should include options for potential implementation to include cost estimates for each option.

Number 32, the city manager shall provide an independent Independence Boulevard study assessing the uh economic impact for future transportation designs. Number 33, effective on January 2027. Amen. Changes to city code made in a part of the FY 202526 budget related to observed [clears throat] holidays to allocate sworn police department staff to maintain the previously 11 observed city holidays and three

flexible holidays. Police officers will now will not earn overtime on the three additional city recognized holidays.

Number 35. In the programming of future proposed budgets, the city manager should provide consideration to funding the request of the Virginia African-American Culture Centers Central uh capital campaign. The city council may consider funding the 6.5 million request should the nonprofit secure a local a total of 19.5 million in financing from the commonwealth 6.5 million and private donors which is 13 of them. In

this letter combined with the city manager staff requested a reconciliation letter which was provided at city council on May 1st, 2026.

We reflected u reflected in the attachments which include details about the funding sources and appropriate adjustments to balance the FY 202627 operating budget and capital improvement improvement program. As always, we want to thank the members of the community and to the staff members and the who made every effort to respond to our requests for information. As you can tell, there was a lot of work done

sitting around the table as well as our staff. Thank you.

Okay, let's open up any conversation, any comments at all.

And when you think about the entire process, you know, the budget process is by far the most challenging I think we have as council people and but the thing is if you work collaboratively and you know with the public input and you know kudos to the staff for the tremendous amount of work that we put in and you know the one thing about budgets not everybody's happy but I'll tell you

what I think what we have here is a good reflective budget. And I think two main things that are important that we keep Virginia Beach safe and the other thing is that we continue to give our residents the quality of life that they deserve and respect respect. Okay, any questions or comments?

when uh Chief Nugget came before us and talking about the curfew, which we're not getting into that right now, but we asked him, "Is there anything else that you need?" And he's he's told us that he needed more lighting and more cameras and things down Atlantic Avenue. So, we heard him and that's in here. So, I I think that's a really big positive thing to know that I think there's 250 and

another 250 the things that he asked for.

Okay. Anybody else at this point?

Okay, I think we're ready to move forward.

So, Mr. Mayor, members of council, at this time, a manager, deputy city manager is going to come give city council a briefing on a marketing surge that we're requesting your support for.

And um we're actually asking for a million dollars to be transferred in today's budget so we can have additional marketing money so we can we can proactively get out in front of um of a tourism marketing push to others to our driveby and flyby markets. as we enter the tourism season. So, go ahead, Amanda. The floor is yours.

Good afternoon, Mayor Dyer, Vice Mayor Wilson, members of city council, manager Duh Haney, and city attorney Styles. As the manager mentioned, um we are requesting to utilize $1 million in tap fund reserves. Um the title of this presentation is the visit Virginia Beach post incident marketing and communications plan. And so as a part of this brief presentation, I will provide an overview and seek your authorization

to begin immediately to implement a marketing surge campaign. Again, utilizing the tap fund balance in an effort to mitigate any potential perception issues that Virginia Beach may be facing, increase awareness of our family-friendly BL brand, and maintain increased visitation.

So, um, the ask again, as we've um mentioned, is to deploy a million dollars immediately across drive markets and tier one new markets. Um, as you all are aware, in recent weeks, we've had several acts of violence in the resort area. And so, CBB has developed a marketing and public relations strategy to counter any negative headlines of the city being unsafe to those that may be looking to plan their vacation. Um the

surge campaign again is designed to deploy immediately and so that's why we are requesting your consideration later this evening and will be focused on key drive markets um to include Washington DC, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and Charlotte. These funds will also be allocated across multiple digital platforms and utilizing other strategic marketing technologies. The

primary objective again of this campaign is to stimulate visitation and generate increased tourism revenue for the city of Virginia Beach over the next six months.

So, we've done a lot of research over the last year of our competitive set and it the research demonstrates that resort destinations are highly vulnerable to public sentiment um during and after disruptive events and a crisis in tourism can have ripple effects across our economy and that is something that we would very much like to avoid. um the city could potentially lose control of

the narrative and so that's why we would like to immediately begin to implement the search campaign. We did look at actions that some of our peer communities have taken, specifically Myrtle Beach and Panama City. Um they delayed implementation of a of marketing surge campaign and did see negative um did see a decline in their visitation.

And so we would like to be proactive, act swiftly and immediately and avoid any negative impacts to our resort season.

So again, um, to reiterate, the the source of funds would be the TAP fund balance. That amount is currently at $16.1 million and if approved would be $15.1 million. Again, this marketing surge would utilize a variety of new and innovative software tools, um, digital marketing placement, and again focus on those areas where we believe we can capture additional visitation. And again, the focus is to counteract any

perception that Virginia Beach is an unsafe destination.

So for your consideration today, we would ask that you authorize the surge campaign of $1 million. Again, we would take action effective tomorrow. Um we also you may desire to modify the surge campaign to have a reduced scope. Um or as always, we seek other direction of counsel.

[snorts] and I'm happy to take any questions you may have.

Okay. You know, let me go go ahead and get the ball rolling here. You know, certainly Virginia Beach is not immune from the epidemic of violence that is, you know, throughout our nation. It's everywhere. And you know, Virginia Beach, we do make news because it doesn't happen that often. So, when something does happen, it kind of sticks out. Um, you know, but that being said, you know, recently we had two

unfortunate accidents and we got to talk about it uh where 14 people got shot in two different incidences and based on, you know, our statistics that we can say it doesn't happen. It's not it's an anomaly. This is not a regular recurrence and and but basically um you know we we have to grasp what's going on with that and actually [snorts] confront that. But also at the same time, we we

were just noted as being the 10th safest city in the country based on our historical crime statistics. And once again, you know, we take action and once again, some of the actions we take are not always appreciated by everybody, but we did make it through a couple tough de uh weekends where there were no incidents that really could have had a disastrous effect on us had there had

been. And I think we just have to, you know, convince folks when they come here that this is indeed, you know, the safe city that we say we are. And I think you know we have the data to prove that at this point I think worth and then Josh.

Thanks mayor. Thank you Mr. Chair for presentation and for staff getting on this right away and it's good that we're going to start this tomorrow assuming we approve this. Just a quick question drive market. Does that include Hampton?

Is that in market Hampton Roads or is that outside of regional?

So the majority of the funding we'd be focused outside of Hampton Roads.

However, there are components that would support efforts by our communications department that would focus on Hampton Roads branding and messaging as well.

Josh, thank you, Mayor. Uh, Mr. Chair, thank you for the presentation. Um, just to remind me and everybody else, uh, total direct and indirect tourism revenue from the city of Virginia Beach is $3.6 billion. Is that about right?

Yes, sir.

Okay. And we spend currently $15 million of marketing our city to other markets.

Yes, sir. And if uh you were to extract salaries, it would be just under 12 million.

Okay. So, um I I think this is a really relatively I mean, it's a large investment, but it's a relatively small investment when we're trying to ensure that uh we have our season. Um so, I commend you for putting this together and being um proactive about it. Uh and to Councilman Ramik's questions that drive markets obviously we're familiar uh tier new tier one markets are those

the ones delineated the Philadelphia New York Pittsburgh Atlanta Yes sir.

Okay. And are we looking I mean do we look at where I know one way right flights kind of vary or whatever but I mean I know a lot of Midwestern cities that like to come down here and other places where they've got convenient flights I guess are no longer on Spirit Airlines.

Yes. Yes. So a portion of the strategy would be to partner with various airlines that have direct or connecting flights into the Dallas airport as well as into the Norfick airport. We've also um found significant success in partnering with streaming um systems to include Amazon YouTube um and some of the um Disney movies that have recently launched. So we are looking across all mediums um as well as I mentioned to

support our communications team within the city. And then as a part of this too, we're looking at some longer term strategies that will allow us to monitor internet traffic, um, customer sentiment about the city of Virginia Beach that we could utilize for future incidents to include a hurricane or a natural disaster that we may face in the future.

Rosemary and then Amelia. [snorts] Well, thank you for being on top of this right away. it's really needed and shows that, you know, we also really care about all those businesses um that were impacted. Is there any I don't know, we've been hearing it from um and Worth and I talked about this from our some constituents at the oceanront about getting some more of the local crowd to come. Is there is there

any extra money that could be utilized for driving in some of the locals to come to the oceanront?

Yes, ma'am. that is a component part of this um overall strategy. It's not solely focused on exterior markets but would also have reach in Virginia as well.

Mary, yes, thank you again for this presentation. It is very important as you know the old saying if your house don't sell you nobody else going to buy you. So this is very important. I wanted to ask are you all going out of the country to national market because we have people there. So that would not be included in this specific campaign but that is a part of our daily operations.

So it is important to note that all of our um efforts to market the city of Virginia Beach both nationally and internationally will continue. This is over and above those efforts. Um we do very much focus on international guests um especially to include Canada and the UK. Yes ma'am.

Thank you.

Okay. Anybody else at this point? You know I just want to say I think it's important that we are proactive and this is just part of a solution and be sure there will be further discussions. uh we're going to put a task force together and we're going to get the stakeholders all involved and we're going to put our heads together as a community and we're we're going to get this resolved. Thank you very much.

Yes, sir. Thank you. [clears throat] All right, we are moving along.

That completes our presentations, mayor.

So, I think the floor is the council.

Okay. You know any council comments or liaison reports at this time?

Oh my goodness, we are moving along.

Yeah, Rosemary, I just have to give a shout out to the Crush Cancer team.

We had a fantastic event. Um, and Worth and Josh and Ameilia all came out and [snorts] everybody else I know for sure there's three. I saw them and I think they were pretty impressed with there were so many people. It's great when you have an event and you don't know who all these people are. And uh it looks like that this is our 11th year and it looks like

we broke the $3 million mark. So I was pretty excited about that.

And uh like I said the uh our spokesperson was a retired teacher from Princeton High School and he Kevin Johnson he did a really a really great job and it's they're making some great breakthroughs. uh they announced that they they've created a vaccine someone with pancreatic cancer and pancreatic cancer as you know is usually a death sentence and these people 90% of them are living at least another six years

with this vaccine. So research really is the key. It's a it's we say join the battle to uh help beat cancer. And I will tell you there's one team called the landlords and you're going to love this. These landlords are the landlords of the military bases. These are the commanding officers of our military bases and you know they [clears throat] uh Kit Choke put together a team and their t-shirt said go Navy beat cancer

and and Admiral Rock came and participated as well.

So anyway, we're very excited with the success of of crush cancer.

Okay, Amelia, can you kindly say about a wonderful lunch that we had the other?

We did and it was yeah it was really touching because with the mothers and we were able to go we saw all these uh seniors and they were mainly sharing stories of their love of their mothers special events that happened with them and I can tell you almost didn't have dry eyes because as people remember certain special things about their mother. So I attended that up at the ocean front and Mayor Dyier

was there as well and spoke. Then they gave out gifts. [snorts] My number was called. I got a nice SC Lauder gift. So that was a good one. And then besides that, Councilwoman Rosemary did not tell you that she won an award. Can you tell us what that award was about?

Game changer award from Memorial Slung Kettering because this is the largest satellite event in the country and they said we were absolutely game changers for what we've done to raise funds for cancer research.

Well, you're welcome.

Great Josh.

Um, thank you, mayor, and uh, thank you, Councilwoman, because you I was going to jump in and mention your award. So, um, it was it was shared between you and Tony Nero. Um and and I don't know how how long have you been doing this event?

This is our 11th year.

11th year. Uh and and and I understand there were only a hundred of these awards given across the entire country.

Is that right? And you were Oh, there were 20. Okay. There were two two of them. Two of those awards were given here to to you and Tony. So, wow. I didn't know it was 20. That's pretty amazing. So, thank you very very much for Thank you for being there. You were wearing pink. I was wearing pink. I was wearing pink. Oh, and um speaking of pink, happy Mother's Day to uh all the

mothers out there this weekend. Enjoy.

Hey, anybody else at this point? You know, on Saturday, um I had the pleasure of giving remarks at the Windhaven River now oyster roast. And let me just say that the feedback I've got for so many people, they are especially grateful to this council and to the city uh for the just love and support that they do get. And uh you know, once again, this is one of those organizations that really helps define

Virginia Beach of being a great city that it is.

Okay, I think we are ready for consent.

We're calling it consent agenda. I love it.

Okay, we're being positive today.

Yes, it's a very positive day. Um, under uh ordices and resolutions, is there any thing that needs to be pulled or anything anybody wants to comment on?

Well, so I think what we'll do for the uh Barry Knight award, we'll we'll pass the consent agenda and then we'll recognize uh Mrs. night and her family.

Correct.

Have them come up and give them the resolution.

Correct.

And there's one item on planning, but it looks like it's been right. And that's the one for new. And I think the community are pretty happy and uh she was able to listen and take that advice and so she's withdrawn.

That's it. That's it.

All right. Boy, we're chugging along.

Okay. The chair will entertain a motion and recess into a closed session pursuant to the exemption from open meetings allowed by section 2.23711A code of Virginia as amended for the following purposes. publicly held property. Discussions or considerations of acquisition of real property for purpose of public purpose or for the disposition of publicly held property where discussion in an open meeting

would adversely affect a bargaining position or [clears throat] negotiating strategy of the public body pursuant to section 2.23711 A3 and district 6 and district 6 again.

District 5, District 2 and then personnel matters, discussions, considerations or interviews of prospective candidates for employment assignment appointment promotion performance demotion salaries, discipline or resignation of specific public officers, appointees or employees of any public body pursuant to section 2.2 to 3711A1 and that's appointments for boards, commissions committees authorities

agencies, and appointees. Do I have a motion?

Second.

Okay.

Iman, [snorts] hi.

Hi, Mayor Dyer.

Hi.

Dave, we are A recess.

Good evening everybody and welcome. I called this order uh this meeting to order and if you're willing and able to please stand for the invocation.

Heavenly Father, you are always with us and beside us. Please be with us this evening as we consider the affairs of our great city. Give us the patience to listen, the wisdom to decide, and the strength to act. Amen.

And if my may ask for a moment of silence for all of those who paid the ultimate price to keep Virginia Beach such a great city.

Thank you. And now the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Okay. Thank you all.

Madame clerk, do we have a roll call?

All present, sir.

Okay. Uh, yes. Or a motion for the certification of the close session.

So moved. Second.

Okay. Let's open the vote on that.

One second, please.

[clears throat] The vote is open by a vote of 11 to zero. You certified the close session and be in accordance with a motion to recess.

Okay. And then I'm going to ask for a motion uh to approve the minutes of the informal and formal sessions of April 21st 2026.

So move second.

Okay, [sighs] the vote is open.

Mayor D, may I have your vote, please?

Thank you. By vote of 11 to zero, you have approved the minutes as submitted.

Okay, I understand there are no speakers or uh going forward. So, I'm going to ask the vice mayor to do the consent agenda please.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, under ordinances and resolution number one is the ordinance to authorize the acquisition of an agriculture land preservation ARP easement from J. Lewis Parsons um Jr.

uh which is 138.36 acres plus or minus and the issuance of the city of its contract obligation in the maximum principal amount of 1,7,261 and transfer funds to purchase the US Treasury strips.

Number two is the ordinance to declare uh city- owned property at 1372 Alaskan Road to be in excess of the city uh needs and authorize the city manager to enter into an agreement for the sale of the property to uh Foreman Services LLC Ray construct a single family residence dwelling. Number three is a resolution to rename the Als Creek boat ramp as the Berry D Knight Al Creek Boat Ramp requested by all of city

council. Number four is the ordinance to amend the city code section 18-108 temporary or trans transient uh businesses requested by Vice Mayor Wilson and council members Buchcci, Remick, uh Ross Hammond, and Schulman.

Number five is a resolution to authorize the distribution of a preliminary official statement and other uh actions reissance of water and sewer uh revenue and refunding bonds series of 2026.

Number six is the resolution to authorize 13 13th supplement master water and sewer bonds resolutions on February 11th uh 1992 and authorized the sale of up to 120 um million refunding uh bond series of 2026. Number seven is the ordinance to establish Capitol project 1,00 I mean 1753 uh town center uh hotel pipe replacement and to accept and appreciate I mean appropriate excuse me $434,95812

funds to capital project 10753 and authorize the city manager to take action on relocating the town center hotel pipe.

Number seven, excuse me, number eight is the ordinance to accept and appropriate $10,72.

Got to get that three cents in there from the Department of Historic Resources to the 20 uh year FY 202526 planning and community development operating budget. rate the update to five national registar historic places uh nominations.

Number nine is the ordinance to appropriate 1 million from the fund issuance uh fund balance of the tourism advertising program special uh request fund to the FY226 convention and visitors bureau budget for advertising and marketing efforts.

Number 10 is the ordinance to transfer a $3.1 million and a 1.446655 446655 as [clears throat] pay as you go funding from the 202526 public works operating budget and 1.3 million from capital project 103 excuse me um 42nd street pumps from from outfalls to capital projects 187 187 seven uh oceanfront storm water facilities open to public hearing on planning and this is uh withdrawal. This is to um

approve a withdrawal.

uh Shaqula Verer for a conditional change uh reszoning from a uh 8.75 resident for a residential 7.5 residential to a conditional um A18 apartment district uh Ray develop a multifamily development and a variance for section 1B of the uh subdivision uh regulations I move for approval.

Do I have a second?

Second.

Any discussion?

Okay, let's open the vote.

The vote is open.

By a vote of 11 to zero, you've approved the consent agenda as read by Vice Mayor Wilson.

Thank you very much. And now it's a time that the council [snorts] really enjoys when we get to honor somewhat who people who deserve honor. May I ask the family of Barry Knight to come forward?

[clears throat] [sighs] This is great.

Actually, these little ones, um, Miss Missy, if you'll step back to the lectern there so the camera can see you good.

Yeah, that'd be great.

Just step right behind the lectern.

That'd be perfect. Thank you. We just want to make sure the camera can see you.

Great. [sighs and gasps] You know, it's often said that Virginia Beach is a city of heroes.

There are certain people over time who have defined Virginia Beach in making it the outstanding city that it is. [sighs] We're talking about a ch champion, Barry Knight, who dedicated his time, talent, and treasure, whether it be on the planning commission or in the House of Delegates.

He was a stalward leader. He built many bridges.

He had the compassion and empathy to work with all kinds of people and put politics aside and always do what was right for the people.

Barry loved this city. But one thing is obvious, he also loved his family.

Barry Knight was a man that gave much love and effort to so many people. So it is indeed an honor that you come today so this council can bestow the honor that Barry and you so richly deserve.

Whereas Barry D. Knight began working at the age of 14 and worked at a neighbor's farm until he was 26 when he purchased his own farm, eventually growing Barry D Knight farms to 640 acres and produced as many as 25,000 finished hogs a year. And whereas Barry served on the Virginia Beach Planning Commission from 2003 to 2008, serving as chairman in 2007 and 2008.

It was October of 2008 when Terry Suit resigned from her 81st district seat in the House of Delegates, now known as the 98th district, [snorts] that May Barry made his run and won his first bid for public office in January of 2009.

He ran his campaign on hoping to preserve the rural heritage of the district, stating, "I'm not a career bureaucrat who spends the taxpayers money. I understand the free enterprise system. The economic engine that drives the state and the economy is small businesses."

Barry spent the last 17 years representing citizens residing in parts of Chesapeake and Virginia Beach, working tirelessly to hold true to his initial campaign promises.

Whereas Barry loved telling people he was just a hog farmer from Pungo, but he was much more than that. being described as a political hall of famer and the common denominator who brought people together for the good of the city and the commonwealth.

Barry not only represented his constituents but worked to protect citizens rights and taxpayers dollars for the entire commonwealth.

Whereas Barry served on numerous committees while in the House of Delegates, including many years on agriculture, Chesapeake natural resources, general laws, transportation, counties, cities, and towns, and appropriations, where he served as chairman in 2022 and 2023.

And whereas Barry was a strong believer in limiting government and cutting red tape, Barry believed by limiting government in daily lives and in businesses, the Commonwealth could attain maximum potential of production, ensuring that families have a roof over their head and a warm meal at night.

Whereas Barry received a number of business awards and accolades over the years, including American Farm Bureau, Virginia Beach Young Farmer of the Year 1983, Virginia Beach HJC's Outstanding Young Farmer in 1984, City of Virginia Beach Outstanding Agricultural Operation 1994, and Man of the Year in Agriculture 1998. 8 Department of Conservation and Recreation Clean Water Forum Award in 1998,

Grand Basin Clean Water Farm Award.

Chowan River 1999, Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Champion of Free Enterprise, six years legislator of the year by various associations.

Virginia Agra Business Council, Distinguished Friends of Agra Business in 2023.

And whereas Barry served on various local boards including Virginia Beach Farm Bureau vice president, military aviation museum board of directors, Southern States Cooperative Chesapeake Association, former chairman, member of the Backbay Pongo Civic League and member and past deacon at Oakrove Baptist Church. [sighs and gasps] And whereas on February 19th, 2026, Barry passed away, leaving a legacy of

service, integrity, and dedication.

Therefore, be it now resolved on this day, we honor a true statesman and who will be remembered as a man of faith, family, and community. Now therefore, be it f further resolved that the Virginia Beach City Council hereby honors the memory of Barry D. Knight and extends condolences to his family and loved ones. Adopted by the City Council of Virginia Beach here on the 5th day of May 20 uh 2026

represents this resolution resolution dually signed by each member of the Virginia Beach City Council. And on behalf of Barry, the entire city council welcomes the opportunity to come down and thank you personally.

[snorts] Tell us where to go.

[snorts]

Sorry.

That's good.

[clears throat]

No, yesterday was my birthday.

I had black hair.

Thank you very much.

Anybody [snorts]

like you?

[clears throat]

Thanks again.

You got to say something.

So, I guess I'll say a little something.

Good. We really apprec appreciate all of y'all and this really means a lot to our family and I know a lot of thought went into this and I really think y'all picked the right thing cuz you know he was a fisherman and I think the boat ramp is just perfect for him and it embodies something that he loved to do.

So, thank you on behalf of all of us and thank you and God bless you and believe council and the people of Virginia Beach will always be with you.

Thank you and God bless you and BARRY Barry was very near and dear to me and I I still miss him. I told Paul I know probably not as much as she does but I I do miss him. He did so many wonderful things for our community. So, thank you for all being and we love seeing all the children.

I know Barry would be so happy and once again thank you all and God bless you and uh you know his memory I'll remember always remember his smile and the way he was just cordial to everybody by far he was one of the most likable human beings I ever met in my life and with good reason and supported by his great and loving family. Thank you.

Okay, I think we're on to appointments now.

We are. Hold on a second.

Um, we have one and that's for the development authority to appoint Patrick Schuler. Move for approval.

Okay.

Second.

Okay. Any discussion?

The vote.

Open the vote.

The vote is open.

Five vote of 11 to zero. You have appointed those as read by Vice Mayor Wilson.

Okay. Outstanding. And uh thank you all.

And at this point, is there any unfinished business? Any new business?

Okay. We are journ to open mic. Thank you all for coming.