City Council Agendas & Minutes

City of Hampton, VA 22 Lincoln Street Meeting Minutes Hampton, VA 23669 www.hampton.gov City Council Ross A. Kearney, II Christopher G. Stuart Angela Lee Leary Donnie R. Tuck Will Moffett George E. Wallace Molly Joseph Ward, Mayor Staff: Mary Bunting, City Manager Cynthia Hudson, City Attorney Katherine K. Glass, CMC, Clerk of Council Thursday, July 1, 2010 12:25 PM Council Chambers, 8th Floor, City Hall CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL- Molly Joseph Ward, Mayor presided Present: Ross A. Kearney, II, Angela Lee Leary, Will Moffett, Christopher Stuart, Donnie Tuck, George E. Wallace Invocation - Dr. Grant Ethridge, Senior Pastor, Liberty Baptist Church Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag Administering of the Oath of Office - Linda Batchelor-Smith, Clerk of Circuit Court Linda Batchelor-Smith, Clerk of Circuit Court, administered the Oath of Office to the newly elected members of Council, Will Moffett, Christopher Stuart and Donnie R. Tuck. Agenda 1. 10-0236 Election of Vice Mayor The Mayor stated there were only two items on the agenda, the election of Vice Mayor and remarks by new Members of Council. Councilman Ross Kearney nominated Councilman George E. Wallace for Vice Mayor. The Mayor stated that no second is required and asked if there were any other nominations. Councilman Donnie Tuck nominated Councilwoman Angela Lee Leary for Vice Mayor. Ms. Glass stated that this is the vote for the motion by Councilman Kearney to nominate George E. Wallace as Vice Mayor. City of Hampton, VA Page 1 of 4 Printed on 8/24/2010 City Council Meeting Minutes MOVED TO nominate George E. Wallace as Vice Mayor. No second is required on a nomination. Motion made by: Councilmember Ross A. Kearney, II Ayes: 5 - Ross A. Kearney, II, Will Moffett, Christopher G. Stuart, George E. Wallace, Molly Joseph Ward Nays: 2 - Angela Lee Leary, Donnie R. Tuck MOVED TO nominate Angela Lee Leary as Vice Mayor. A nomination does not require a second. No roll call vote was taken in that a majority prevailed on the previous motion. Motion made by: Councilmember Donnie R. Tuck 2. 10-0237 Remarks by New Members of Council Councilman Will Moffett honored God for directing his path. He honored his wife, three children and seven grandchildren for their love and support. He thanked his friends, family, campaign manager, campaign team, co-workers and City staff. He acknowledged his relatives and friends watching locally via television and those watching via internet from across the country, particularly in Detroit, Michigan, and Meridian, Mississippi. He thanked those from the state of Mississippi for instilling great values in him. Councilman Moffett thanked the outgoing members of Council for their service and sacrifice. He acknowledged the other candidates in the campaign, Larry Gwaltney and Theresa Sellers and encouraged them to remain engaged and work with Council in striving to move the City of Hampton forward. Councilman Moffett stated that the question of the election was which three candidates would best serve Hampton as members of Hampton City Council. He stated that the question has been answered and each new member of Council brings unique perspectives while sharing one thing in common, which is their love for Hampton. He stated as the 400th anniversary of Hampton is being celebrated, Hampton is one of the greatest cities in America which did not come by chance, but by hard work and determination. He said there will be some challenges ahead, but there will be great opportunities as well and he hopes that together as a governing body, decisions will be made based on what is best for the future of Hampton, one vision, one focus, one people, one Hampton. He stated that he is appreciative for the opportunity to serve and he will never forget the hands that lifted him and the shoulders he stood upon. Councilman Christopher Stuart stated he was honored and humbled to be there. He said he intends to honor the words of the oath he took. He thanked his wife and family for their support during the campaign. He thanked outgoing Vice Mayor Joseph Spencer for encouraging him to run for Council and for the service he gave and the example he set as a true Hampton gentleman. He thanked the citizens of Hampton for the faith and trust they have placed in him to serve over the next four years as their representative on Council. Councilman Stuart stated that Hampton has much to offer and that 2010 marks a year- long celebration of over 400 years of distinct history of the City of Hampton. He further said from the beauty of the beaches of Buckroe to the history of Fort Monroe to the technology created by NASA and to the national defense reformed at Langley Air Force City of Hampton, VA Page 2 of 4 Printed on 8/24/2010 City Council Meeting Minutes Base, coupled with the educational opportunities provided by Hampton University, Hampton brings endless opportunities to its citizens. He said he aims to play a role in seeing local government stand for progress and success for all regardless of race, zip code or political party. He said he is aware that the future may be difficult and will require common sense, problem solving and solutions-oriented innovation to address the issues facing the City. He said he hopes to offer a private sector business perspective to Council while keeping in mind Hampton’s families. He added the motto of his campaign was “a fresh perspective” and he views this as an opportunity to objectively look at all aspects of City government and do what can be done to prepare the City for the future. He said he pledges to work with each member of Council to continue to forge the mutual friendship and working relationship as well as to serve the citizens of Hampton. Councilman Donnie Tuck stated he was happy for himself, his wife, and his entire family and extended family who have supported him. He stated that his wife reminds him that people who hold positions of leadership are appointed by God, therefore he is thankful to God and the citizens of Hampton who had confidence in him to believe that he was worthy of this responsibility as a Council member. He gave an example of watching a marathon race and there are crowds of people who line the course of the race and periodically there will be an individual to step forward with a cup of water to help the participants get across the finish line. Just as in the example mentioned, he said there have been quite a few people that have extended their hand to him during this campaign and he is thankful for that. He promised to the best of his ability to uphold the trust of the citizens, to try to govern responsibly and to be impartial in his deliberations. Mayor Ward thanked everyone for attending. She stated that she was pleased to see such a large crowd with standing-room only. She said she was particularly happy to see so many citizens engaged and present for such an important and happy occasion. She thanked the new members of Council for their remarks. Vice Mayor George Wallace stated he had prepared an acceptance speech. He stated that today marks another highlight in his life and a special blessing that has been anointed on him over the years as he has been associated over the years with the City. He said this is extraordinarily special to him. He stated to those peers who voted for him, he pledges to work tirelessly and endlessly to make our community long-term sustainable, viable and the community of choice. He stated to those peers who chose not to vote for him, he pledges to them that he will work tirelessly to earn their trust and support. He said to the citizens of Hampton that we have a fantastic community. He said we have many challenges as well as many opportunities. He said he pledges to use all of the knowledge and skills he has acquired over the years to make it the best it can possibly be. He thanked those individuals who supported him in terms of the election two years ago and reaffirmed the pledge he made then to work tirelessly and endlessly to make our community the best it can be. He expressed his appreciation to his wife, Mary, who is always there for him and is his voice and the rock he can stand on and who keeps him solid and planted and focused. He pledged to his three sons that he would uphold the honor of their name as he has told them they must do. He thanked the Council for giving him the opportunity to give back to the community. Mayor Ward congratulated all of the new Councilmembers and the new Vice Mayor. City of Hampton, VA Page 3 of 4 Printed on 8/24/2010 City Council Meeting Minutes Benediction - Dr. Richard W. Wills, Sr., Pastor, First Baptist Church Dr. Richard W. Wills, Sr., Pastor, First Baptist Church, thanked the Mayor for her tremendous leadership. He commended City Council and congratulated the new members of Council and the new Vice Mayor. He gave the benediction. Adjournment ______________________ Molly Joseph Ward Mayor __________________________ Katherine K. Glass, CMC Clerk of Council Date approved by Council ______________________ City of Hampton, VA Page 4 of 4 Printed on 8/24/2010