City Council - Regular Meeting

All right, sir. Good to go.

Good evening and welcome to all. This Pocosin City Council meeting is called to order. I'd like to be on our agenda as a closed session pursuant to section 2.2-3711A1 of the Code of Virginia from 1950 as amended to discuss personnel matters, i.e. interviews for school board appointments. Do we have a motion and a second? So moved. Thank you. Any questions or comments? Christy, call for vote, please.

Councilman Freeman?

Aye.

Councilwoman Hubbard?

Aye.

Vice Mayor Bunting? Aye. Councilman Fye?

Aye.

Councilman Emmett? Aye. Mayor Huggs?

Aye.

Mr. Mayor, the motion carries by a vote of 6-0.

Thank you, Christy. We're now in closed session. that's just just red item see on our agenda is reconvenement and certification of our closed session do we have a motion in a second mr. mayor I'll move that we only talked about what we had agreed to talk about which are school board issues recession Thank you. Any questions or comments? Christy?

Councilwoman Emmett? Aye. Councilwoman Hubbard? Aye. Councilman Fye?

Aye.

Vice Mayor Bunting? Aye. Councilman Freeman? Aye. Mayor Huggs? Aye. Mr. Mayor, the motion carried by a vote of six to zero.

Thank you, Christy. Item D on our agenda is the invocation and pledge of allegiance, which will be led by Councilwoman Jeannie Hubbard.

Please pray with me. Almighty God, the source of wisdom and giver of every good gift, we ask your blessing on this council and on the work set before us this evening. We are grateful that we work with such a set of members, grant us clear minds, steady judgment, and the sincere desire to seek good for our whole community. In this season, the days are starting to grow longer. The weather's going to remind us of constant change. Help us remain faithful in service, patient and listening, and united in purpose. All this we ask in your name. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God.

Thank You Jeannie item ease audience for visitors at this time will open the floor for public comment related to the city I Thank you, Paul. Seeing none, we will close the floor and move on to item F, special presentation. Tonight we have our second annual Memorial Day ceremony. And just have some comments I'd like to share before I introduce our library director and public information officer, all rolled into one, Ms. Jessica Hartley. I'd like to recognize and thank the American Legion, Holloway Moore Post 273, for another memorable Memorial Day ceremony that was held yesterday. All of them have been exceptionally good, and yesterday was certainly no exception to that. I'm thankful that the rain held off. And I also want to thank all the civic organizations that contributed to that. And that's one of the many things I love about our community is all of the very engaged civic organizations. And they don't compete with each other. They all collaborate and they all work together for the common goal of supporting the community as a whole. So thank you so much to everybody involved with that. And I also want to comment on the flag display that's out front of City Hall. And council members were alerted to this by our executive assistant, Ms. Ashley Chika. And she shared these words with us, and I'll... share these with the public. On Wednesday, May 20th, the Kiwanis and Exchange Club put up a display for the 250th anniversary of America. This display is located between City Hall and the Public Safety Building. Each flag will include a tag explaining the events that occurred between each version in which states were added as the flag changed from 26 stars to 28 stars and so on. The display will remain up through July the 4th. It's a beautiful display, and we hope everybody will have the opportunity to stop by and see it. So thank you, Ashley, for that announcement to council, and that worked great for sharing with the public. And with regard to the council's second annual Memorial Day ceremony, as the saying goes, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. And what we do is very similar to what the Legion has been doing for many years, probably going back through the decades. Of course, having an outside ceremony like the Legion does, that has a lot of opportunities to make it very special. But since ours is inside, we do have one advantage of being able to have a slideshow, and we can actually show pictures of our 18 fallen veterans. And Ms. Hartley is going to share some biographical information on each one of them. And I think it's very special and speaks volumes as to the character of our community that years, decades, and even over a century later, These fallen veterans' names are mentioned, their lives are discussed, and we even have their pictures right here in the seat of government in their hometown. So that's a real big deal for us to be able to do. and demonstrate our patriotism and our gratitude for those that have made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf. So with that, I'd like to introduce Ms. Jessica Hartley. She's going to be our presenter tonight. So, Jessica, the floor is yours. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor, council members, and Mr. Manager. I'm deeply honored and humbled to present to you the names of our fellow Pocosum residents who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country so that we can live with liberty and in the pursuit of happiness. Apologies. Give us just one second.

I'm sorry. What do you want to do, Mr. Mayor? You seem to be... Anyone with the agenda and come back to it when we get it loaded.

I can see it, so I can still read it. It's just not going to come up on there.

Jessica, if you could just go ahead and read that, please. We'd appreciate that. Thank you.

Serving during World War I, we have Robert Reed Holloway, born March 20, 1897, died October 7, 1918. Parents are Mr. and Mrs. John Henry Holloway, World War I, US Army Private, Company C, 9th Infantry, 2nd Division. Robert arrived in France in June 1918 and was killed in action at the Battle of Mont Blanc Ridge. His name is on a special plaque at Trinity Church outside the sanctuary. The Pocosin American Legion Holloway Moore Post 273 is named in his honor. He was buried at Weston Cemetery in Pocosin. Harry Roe Wainwright, born January 6, 1897, died October 13, 1918. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. John T. and Mary E. Wainwright. World War I, US Navy Reserve, machinist mate, second class. Harry enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in July 1918, contracted the Spanish flu and pneumonia in September, and died at the U.S. Navy Hospital, Portsmouth, Virginia. He is buried at the Wainwright Cemetery in Pocosin. Wilton Thomas Wainwright, born 1817-1894, died November 10, 1918. Parents Mr. and Mrs. William E. Wainwright, World War I U.S. Army Private, Company G, 318th Infantry, 80th Division. The 80th Division was the only division in the American Expeditionary Forces to attack in all three of the phases of the Meuse-Argonne offensive in France. It was during this action that Wilton was killed in action at Verdun, France, one day before World War I ended. He is buried at Tabernacle United Methodist Churchyard in Pocoson. Serving during World War II, Granville L. Adams Jr., born March 16, 1923, died August 20, 1944. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Granville L. Adams. World War II U.S. Army Air Corps Staff Sergeant 468th Bombardment Group 792nd Bomb Squadron. Granville was declared missing in action after bailing out of the B-29 Superfortress over the China Sea on August 20, 1944, due to damage caused by anti-aircraft artillery. He was declared dead on April 8, 1946. His name is on the tablets of the missing monument at the Philippines Manila American Cemetery in Memorial. He was awarded the Air Medal, Purple Heart, American Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. A memorial marker is located at Western Cemetery in Pocosin. Joseph Clyde Edwards, born August 14, 1923, died March 2, 1945. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Edwards, World War II U.S. Army Private Company F, 333rd Infantry Regiment, 84th Infantry Division. It was during the Battle of the Bulge, December 1944 through January 1945, that Joseph was wounded in action. The 84th Division pushed Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt's forces out of Belgium. Joseph died from his wounds on March 2, 1945. He is buried at Hampton National Cemetery, Section FP, Site 770. John Ray Forrest. Born July 31, 1920. Died February 19, 1945. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Henry Forrest. World War II U.S. Marine Corps Private 25th Marine Division. John was a 1937 graduate of Pocosin High School and had previously worked in the riveting department at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dried Up Company. He was killed in action during the Battle of Iwo Jima. He had a fiancee, Sammy Harrell, of Newport News. He is buried at Weston Cemetery in Pocosin. Ernest Thornton Holloway, born February 2nd, 1925, died October 27th, 1944. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Maynard M. Holloway, World War II U.S. Navy Reserve, Seaman First Class, USS PT-523, Torpedo Boat Squadron 36. Ernest was wounded during the Battle of Leyte Gulf October 23-26, 1944. The battle was considered the largest naval battle in U.S. history. He died of his wounds on October 27, 1944 at age 19. He is buried at Hampton National Cemetery in Hampton, Virginia, Section F, Site 192. Alfred Moody Moore born May 25, 1910, died May 8, 1944. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Franklin Moore. World War II U.S. Army Corps, Captain 10th Bomber Squadron, aerial reconnaissance. Alfred was killed in a plane crash while en route from Panama to San Jose, California on May 8, 1944. He graduated from Pocosin High School and VPI. He volunteered for training in the Army Air Corps and graduated from schools in Miami Beach, Florida and Harrisonburg, Pennsylvania. He was married to Elizabeth Moore, who lived in Bowling Green, Virginia. A memorial marker is located at the Peninsula Memorial Park in Newport News, Virginia. Harold McBride Moore, born June 4th, 1917, died February 22nd, 1943. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. S.J. Moore. World War II U.S. Army Corps Captain, 13th Ferry Group, 44th Squadron. Harold graduated from BPI in 1939. He was killed in a plane crash on February 23, 1943, in Tunisia, North Africa. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. The Pocosin American Legion Holloway-Moore Post 273 is named in his honor. He is buried at the North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial in Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia, plot A, grave 18, row 8. Harry E. Wainwright, born May 11, 1923, Died November 3, 1945. Parents Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Wainwright. World War II US Army Air Corps Corporal Air Transport Command. Harry was an apprentice in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard before enlisting in the Air Corps on January 11th, 1944. He died in a plane crash 450 miles east of Hawaii while on his way to San Francisco. A memorial marker is located at Olive Branch Cemetery, Portsmouth, Virginia. Serving during the Korean War. Jack Sinclair Holloway, born September 10, 1930, died December 13, 1952. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Vaden Holloway. Korean War, US Army Corps Private, 1st Class, 3rd Battalion, 5th Regiment, 1st Marine Division. Jack was a graduate of Pocosin High School. He entered the Marine Corps in August 1951 and was killed in action on December 13, 1952. He is buried at Weston Cemetery in Pocosin. Joseph Eugene Wood, born October 29, 1930, died September 4, 1950. Parents Mr. and Mrs. John N. Wood. Korean War U.S. Army Private 1st Class, Company L, 3rd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. Joseph was reported missing in action in September 1950, one month after arriving in Korea. He was killed by hostile fire during a battle in South Korea. He is buried at Weston Cemetery in Pocosin. Serving during the Vietnam War. Richard Thomas Huggett, born September 21, 1947, died June 13, 1968. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Huggett. Vietnam War U.S. Army Specialist, 4th Class, 3rd Squadron, 4th U.S. Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division. Richard was killed in action by hostile fire at Hoa Nia, South Vietnam. He was posthumously awarded the Cavalry Order of the Spur. His name is listed on the Vietnam Memorial, panel 57W, line 10. He is buried at Park Lawn Memorial in Hampton, Virginia. Paul Adams Meyer, born March 10, 1946, died May 23, 1969. parents, Mr. Paul and Marjorie Meyer, Vietnam War US Air Force Sergeant, 36th Tactical Airlift Squadron, 316th Tactical Airlift Wing. Paul attended the Missouri Military Academy in Mexico, Missouri, and was a descendant of John Quincy Adams. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam and was stationed at Langley Air Force Base, where he lived with his wife in Pocosin. He was on temporary duty in England when he died during a C-130 crash into the English Channel. His remains were never recovered. He was survived by his wife, Jane Goodson, and three children, David, Henry, and Mary Ann. David Bland Owen, born January 27, 1936. Died October 4, 1967. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank David Owen. Vietnam War U.S. Army Sergeant, First Class, MACVA, Advisory Team 99. David was killed in action at Long End, South Vietnam. His name is on the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., Panel 27E, Line 50. He is buried at Weston Cemetery in Pocosin. Gilbert Wayne Page. Born December 3, 1948. Died May 17, 1969. Parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Page. Vietnam War US Army Sergeant, A Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division. Gilbert was killed in action during the Battle of Hamburger Hill in the Tua Tien Hoa Province, Vietnam. He was posthumously awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Purple Heart, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Vietnam Service Medal. His name is on the Vietnamese Veterans Memorial Wall, panel W24, line 33. He is buried at Weston Cemetery in Pocosi. Serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Kyle William Brown, born December 27, 1983, died January 7, 2006. Parents, Mr. Rodney Lee Taylor Bridges and Mrs. Teresa A. St. Pierre. Operation Iraqi Freedom, U.S. Marines, Lance Corporal, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. Kyle served one tour of duty in Afghanistan and two tours in Iraq. He was killed by sniper fire near Fallujah, Iraq. He was awarded the Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Purple Heart. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Section 60, Site 8308. Vincent Joseph Vinny Padula, born April 18, 1986. Died June 16, 2005. Parents, Mr. Vincent and Susan Padula. Global War on Terrorism, US Army Cadet, JMU ROTC. Benny was a 2004 graduate at Pocosin High School. He had completed his first year of college at James Madison University, where he was a biology major and a member of the ROTC program. He was training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and died after suffering an injury while attending airborne school. He is buried at Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, Virginia, Section 3, Row 5, Site 32. They shall not be forgotten.

Jessica, thank you so much. That was an outstanding presentation, and really appreciate all that effort you put into it. This concludes our Memorial Day ceremony. And we will move into our next agenda item, which is item G, approval of the minutes of the regular session of May 11, 2026, and the continuation on May 20, 2026. Do we have a motion and a second? So moved, Mr. Meyer.

Second.

Thank you. Any questions or comments? Christy?

Vice Mayor Bunting? Aye. Councilman Fai? Aye. Councilman Freeman?

Aye.

Councilwoman Hubbard? Aye. Councilwoman Emmett? Aye. Mayor Hooks? Aye. Mr. Mayor, motion carried by a vote of six to zero.

Thank you, Christy. Item H, new business. We have one topic, which is a resolution canceling the second meeting of the months of May, I'm sorry, the months of June, July, and August of 2026. Do we have a motion and a second?

So moved, Mr. Mayor.

Second.

Thank you. Questions or comments? Christy?

Councilman Freeman? Aye. Councilwoman Emmett? Aye. Councilman Fai? Aye. Councilwoman Hubbard? Aye. Vice Mayor Bunting? Aye. Mayor Hux? Aye. Mr. Mayor, I vote 6-0.

Thanks, Christy. Item I, comments of the City Manager. Randy?

Mr. Mayor, I was going to speak to the flag display outside, but since you covered that, that's all I have for the evening.

Thank you, Randy. Item J, council directives. Mr. Freeman?

As already was mentioned by our mayor, I thought it was a really good Memorial Day ceremony out there yesterday. The weather held. It stopped raining just in time. And an outstanding speaker and a real large crowd. So I thought it went really, really well.

Thank you, Mr. Freeman. Keith? None, sir. Thank you. Debbie?

No comments. Thank you.

Thank you. Jeannie? Thank you. Angie?

The only thing I'll mention, I mentioned the HRTPO last meeting, which is our regional transportation planning organization. that Hampton Roads Municipalities all participate in. And last week, the HRTPO Board passed, or sorry, approved their 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan. And that transportation plan is basically a regional framework for transportation funding within the region, so they prioritize submitted projects and they prioritize those based on need and based on the anticipated budget that the region thinks that it might have for transportation funding and road improvements.

Angie, real quick, what was the timeframe for that plan?

2050.

That's what we thought.

Yes, 2050. Thank you. Got to start somewhere. I know. But on that, in that 2050 plan is widening victory Boulevard from two lanes to four lanes now Being in there doesn't guarantee that it's going to get funding but and correct me if I'm wrong But projects generally have to be in there in order to get state or federal funding so being in there is a very positive thing is it going to happen next year and two years, maybe even 10 years, but being in there is at least a starting point. The projected cost that was listed was $177 million for that widening. Yes, so it's an expensive project, but like I say, it's a good starting point to at least be in that plan and be acknowledged that that is a regional priority.

Angie, thank you very much. That's very insightful. And I certainly appreciate all the council members' efforts in representing the city at the regional level. So very important. So thank you for that. And I would also like to congratulate Councilwoman Angie Emmett and her husband on their 14th wedding anniversary. So I wish you all happiness, good health, and good fortune for decades to come. And would like to thank Jonah Easley for his help with the IT. And that's all I have. And we'll move on to item K, which is adjournment. Do we have a motion and a second? So moved.

Second.

Thank you. Kristi?

Councilwoman Hubbard? Aye. Councilman Freeman? I vice mayor bunting I councilman by I die mr. mayor the motion carried by a vote of six to zero thank you and we're adjourned