2026-09-08 - City Council

Summary

Built from the official minutes. No video is posted. Formal session in the Conference Room from 1:30 PM, adjourned 4:08 PM; all votes 11-0.

MOCA site: staff recommended an RFP process built on six guiding principles. See MOCA Site Advisory Panel.
Fire schedule: Option 1 would request 63 FTEs in the FY28 budget for a 48-hour week. See Fire Department 48-Hour Schedule.
Workforce: internships rose from 20 to 48 since 2023. See City Workforce Development Program.
AI training: collaboration with Batten University. See Future Ready VB AI Training.
Closed session: personnel and council appointments, certified 11-0.

Emily Labows presented. The panel convened in June 2026 and held a listening session July 27. Principles: arts and cultural identity; community benefit and public access; revenue-neutral financial sustainability; active multi-use destination; building preservation and site activation (ViBe Creative District); partnerships.
Staff recommended initiating an RFP process; alternatives were no action or other direction.

Chief Pravetz presented: the current schedule is 56 hours with 583 sworn FTE and 24 vacancies. Option 1: 63 FTEs in the FY28 budget, $3.6M in year 1 and $5.5M in year 2, academies October 2027 (33) and April 2028 (30), changes from September 2028. The 42-hour model (165 FTEs) would cost $5.2M, $10.5M and $14.9M over three years.

Monica Kopin: college internships 20 (2023) to 48 (2026); SkillBridge 1 or 2 to 15; 80 veterans hired in 2026; two Apprenticeship Coordinators start September 17.

Peter Wallace and Tracy Lyles: more than 70 AI use cases, a planned gateway and innovation lab, and a four-department pilot course.

Council Member Remick reported the inaugural Supergirl Surf Festival over Labor Day weekend (more than 100,000 attendees, 13 women's sports, 22 free concerts). Council Member Berlucchi, Council Member Schulman and Mayor Dyer also commented.
Council Member Berlucchi, as liaison to the Development Authority and Agricultural Advisory Commission, said the Authority approved matching the Commonwealth's grant to Creekmore Place, a Farmers Market vendor farming locally for more than 55 years.
Council Member Rouse noted Zero Waste Awareness Week (see Zero Waste Awareness Week). Council Member Ross-Hammond said Brian Smith was hired as President and CEO of Hampton Roads Transit.

On motion of Council Member Rouse, seconded by Council Member Ross-Hammond, 11-0, at 3:43 PM, for personnel and council appointments; ran 3:54 to 4:07 PM; certified on motion of Council Member Rouse, seconded by Council Member Schulman, 11-0.