Hopewell public meetings in 2025

Planning Commission/Wetlands Board

The commission moved the first public hearing to the end of the agenda (3‑0). It approved a conditional use permit for a duplex at 1104 Kruper Ave (Parcel #032‑0100) (3‑0). It also approved a conditional use permit for apartments on the second floor of 238 E. Broadway (Parcel #080‑0485) with staff‑recommended conditions (3‑0). The meeting was then adjourned (3‑0).

• Moved public hearing #1 to the end of the agenda – unanimous 3‑0
• Approved Conditional Use Permit for 1104 Kruper Ave (Parcel #032‑0100) – unanimous 3‑0
• Approved Conditional Use Permit for 238 E. Broadway (Parcel #080‑0485) with conditions – unanimous 3‑0
• Adjourned meeting – unanimous 3‑0

Economic Development Authority

The board unanimously approved a closed‑session to discuss confidential property matters. It then approved a $3,000 allocation for a site‑plan study at 509 3 ½ Street. The board also approved hiring Brown Edwards for the FY25 audit at a cost of $14,500. All other routine items, including minutes and the Treasurer’s report, were approved unanimously.

• Approved closed session to discuss confidential property matters (unanimous)
• Allocated $3,000 to Economic Development Director for site‑plan at 509 3 ½ Street (unanimous)
• Approved minutes from November 3, 2025 meeting with modifications (unanimous)
• Approved Treasurer’s report (unanimous)
• Approved hiring Brown Edwards for FY25 audit at $14,500 (unanimous)
• Adjourned meeting at 7:23 PM (unanimous)

City Council

The City Council will conduct public hearings regarding a sewer rate increase and the codification of Recreation and Parks fees. The body will also consider conditional use permits and a battery energy storage system facility. Financial reports indicate October FY26 revenues are trending $2.3M lower than FY25.

• Sewer Rate Increase Ordinance public hearing
• Codification of Recreation and Parks Fees public hearing
• Conditional Use Permit public hearing for 3400 Oaklawn Boulevard and 405 North 3 ½ Street
• Kevin Randesi ARB Appeal public hearing for 206 North Second Street
• Resolution in support of intervening in Virginia-American Water Company's rate increase application

The council amended the agenda to remove item R-1 and entered a closed session. In that session, they appointed Stephanie Dayberry to the Keep Hopewell Beautiful Board and Shar’ah Fuller to the Hopewell Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board. They also directed the City Manager to issue a letter endorsing the school division’s application to the Virginia Board of Education’s School Construction Assistance Program. Finally, the council adopted the consent agenda.

• Amended agenda to remove regular business item R-1 (motion passed 6-0)
• Entered closed meeting under Virginia Code §§2.2-3711 (motion passed 6-0)
• Reopened to open meeting (motion passed 5-0)
• Appointed Stephanie Dayberry to Keep Hopewell Beautiful Board (motion passed 6-0)
• Appointed Shar’ah Fuller to Hopewell Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board (motion passed 6-0)
• Directed City Manager to prepare and issue endorsement letter for school construction assistance program (motion passed 6-0)
• Adopted consent agenda (motion passed 6-0)

Planning Commission/Wetlands Board

The commission approved a zoning ordinance amendment to add civil penalties to Article XX – Penalty and Violation. It also approved conditional use permits for a private school at 247 E. Cawson St. and a single‑family dwelling at 1729 Maryville Ave., each with staff‑recommended conditions. The board endorsed the Battery Energy Storage System Facility review and elected Patience Bennett as Chairman and Carlos Roman as Vice Chairman.

• Approved zoning ordinance amendment adding civil penalties (5-0)
• Approved conditional use permit for Kidz with Goals Unlimited to operate a private school at 247 E. Cawson St. (5-0)
• Approved conditional use permit for Trek Properties LLC to construct a single‑family dwelling at 1729 Maryville Ave. with conditions (5-0)
• Approved 2232 Review of Battery Energy Storage System Facility at 105 Winston Churchill Dr. (5-0)
• Elected Patience Bennett as Chairman (5-0)
• Re‑elected Carlos Roman as Vice Chairman (5-0)

Economic Development Authority

The Economic Development Authority approved its 2026 meeting dates and elected its 2026 officers, naming Tavorise Marks as Chair, John Eliades as Vice Chair, Tom Wagstaff as Treasurer, and Matthew Mellon as Secretary. The board also accepted the 2024 audit and moved to table the selection of a 2025 audit firm until the December meeting. Treasurer’s reports for September and October were approved with a correction to duplicate payments.

• Approved 2026 meeting dates (unanimous)
• Appointed Tavorise Marks as Chair (unanimous)
• Appointed John Eliades as Vice Chair (unanimous)
• Reappointed Tom Wagstaff as Treasurer (unanimous)
• Appointed Matthew Mellon as Secretary (unanimous)
• Accepted 2024 audit by Robinson, Farmer, and Cox (unanimous)
• Tabled selection of 2025 audit firm until December meeting (unanimous)
• Approved Treasurer’s reports for September and October, including correction (unanimous)

City Council

The Hopewell City Council approved a resolution to designate $90,000 from capital expenditures to the City of Refuge for the Hope Center's homeless shelter. The agreement includes conditions for reimbursement if the shelter fails to meet specific operational requirements.

• Resolution amending FY 2026 Budget to allocate $90,000 to Hope Center
• Commercial lease agreement for 102 Tenth Street, Hopewell
• Lease for 7,560 square feet of warehouse and office space
• Conditions for reimbursement if shelter operations cease

The council voted 5‑0 to allow Councilor Harris to attend meetings remotely. It then voted 6‑0 to approve a one‑year lease of 2,160 sq ft at 102 10th St (the CREW Building) to the City of Refuge at $1,250 per month. The lease will be executed using the corrected lease document supplied by the City Attorney’s Office.

• Approved remote attendance for Councilor Harris (5-0)
• Approved one-year lease of 2,160 sq ft at 102 10th St for $1,250/month (6-0)

City Council

The council will hold a closed session to discuss real estate acquisition or disposition, an unsolicited offer on city‑owned real estate (Francisco Landing), contract negotiations, personnel matters, and the Manker vs. Hopewell lawsuit update. In the open session, they will consider routine consent‑agenda items, a capital funding public hearing, a charter amendment resolution, and other reports. The public hearing on the Sewer Rate Increase Ordinance has been moved to the November 18, 2025 meeting.

• Closed session to discuss real estate acquisition/disposition, unsolicited offer (Francisco Landing), contract negotiations, personnel appointments, and Manker vs. Hopewell lawsuit update
• Ordinance and Resolution for the Capital Funding public hearing
• CDBG Program Documents presentation
• HWR Charter Amendment Resolution
• Sewer Rate Increase Ordinance public hearing moved to Nov 18, 2025

The council approved moving agenda item C‑2 to become the new item R‑7. It authorized a closed‑session meeting and then reconvened in open session. Council members unanimously appointed Courtney Curtis to the CPMT board. The remaining consent‑agenda items were adopted.

• Approved agenda amendment: item C‑2 reclassified as new item R‑7 (6‑0)
• Approved motion to enter closed meeting under Va. Code §2.2‑3711 (6‑0)
• Approved motion to reconvene in open meeting (6‑0)
• Approved appointment of Courtney Curtis to the CPMT board (6‑0)
• Approved adoption of remaining consent‑agenda items as amended (6‑0)

City Council

The City Council will consider zoning amendments for sign regulations and urban agriculture, as well as a conditional use permit for a museum. The body will also review several capital project funding requests for infrastructure and park improvements.

• Public hearing for Historic Hopewell Foundation museum permit at 400 Weston Ln
• Public hearings to amend zoning ordinances for sign regulations and urban agriculture
• Proposed replacement of Mansion Hills and North Colonial Pump Stations ($2M-$4M each)
• Proposed Heretick Ave Stormwater Improvements ($2.3M)
• Proposed Hopewell Community Center upgrades ($2.7M)

The council approved remote participation for Councilor Stokes and adopted the consent agenda. It also voted to hold a closed meeting to discuss real‑estate and personnel matters, then reconvened in open session. Finally, the council appointed three new members to the Hopewell Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board.

• Approved remote participation for Councilor Stokes (6-0)
• Adopted consent agenda (7-0)
• Approved closed meeting under Va. Code §2.2‑371 (7-0)
• Reopened meeting as open session (7-0)
• Appointed Drew Dayberry to Economic Development Authority Board (7-0)
• Appointed Thomas Wagstaff and Matthew Melon to Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board (7-0)
• Appointed Vannette Taylor to Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board (7-0)
• Adopted second consent agenda (7-0)

Economic Development Authority

The board unanimously approved a closed session to discuss acquiring real property for public use, a prospective business, and related legal matters. The September 8, 2025 meeting minutes were approved as amended. A motion to reimburse Chair Shanna Story $306.36 for a printer purchase also passed unanimously. The vote on the August financials was postponed to the November meeting.

• Approved closed session on real property acquisition, prospective business, and legal counsel (unanimous)
• Approved amended September 8, 2025 minutes (unanimous)
• Approved reimbursement of $306.36 for printer purchase (unanimous)
• Tabled vote on August financials to November meeting

Planning Commission/Wetlands Board

The commission unanimously approved the September 4 meeting minutes (5‑0). It denied A&K Enterprises' request to convert 3400 Oaklawn Blvd. to a residence (4‑0, 1 abstention). It approved Kenri Kade Properties' permit for a two‑story single‑family home on a non‑conforming lot with added off‑street parking condition (5‑0). It also approved Trek Properties' permit for a single‑family home on a non‑conforming lot with six staff‑recommended conditions (5‑0).

• Approved September 4, 2025 minutes (5-0)
• Denied Conditional Use Permit for A&K Enterprises at 3400 Oaklawn Blvd. (4-0, 1 abstain)
• Approved Conditional Use Permit for Kenri Kade Properties at 405 N. 3-1/2 Ave., with staff conditions and off‑street parking requirement (5-0)
• Approved Conditional Use Permit for Trek Properties, LLC at 501 N. 4th Ave., with six staff conditions (5-0)

City Council

The City Council will convene a closed meeting to discuss personnel matters, including board and commission appointments and a City Manager executive search proposal. The meeting will reconvene afterward to certify compliance with open-meeting laws.

• Closed session for personnel and board appointments
• Discussion of City Manager executive search proposal

The council voted 7-0 to enter a closed meeting to discuss personnel and financial matters. A separate 6-0 vote approved Councilor Stokes attending remotely. The council later voted 6-0 to reconvene the meeting in open session.

• Approved closed meeting motion (7-0)
• Approved remote attendance for Councilor Stokes (6-0)
• Approved reconvening to open meeting (6-0)

City Council

The City Council will conduct public hearings regarding the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Hopewell Public Schools Operating Budget and a Blight Nuisance Ordinance. The meeting also includes a work session to review August financials and a closed session to discuss real property and personnel matters.

• Public hearing: Amendment of the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Hopewell Public Schools Operating Budget
• Public hearing: Blight Nuisance Ordinance
• Conditional Use Permit request for a single-family dwelling on S. 19th Ave. (Parcels #013-1595 and #013-1600)
• Operation Ceasefire Grant application
• Approval of Hopecrest Townes street names

The council approved a resolution to amend the FY 2026 budget, moving funds from the warming shelter to the Hope Center, with a 7‑0 vote. It also approved a conditional use permit for a single‑family home on South 19th Avenue (7‑0) and adopted new street names for the Hope Crest Towns subdivision (6‑1). Motions to allow Councilor Stokes remote attendance (6‑0) and to hold a closed session under Va. Code §2.2‑3711 (6‑0) were also passed.

• Approved FY 2026 budget amendment reallocating funds to Hope Center (7-0)
• Approved conditional use permit for single‑family dwelling on South 19th Avenue (7-0)
• Approved street names for Hope Crest Towns subdivision (6-1)
• Approved motion to allow Councilor Stokes to attend meetings remotely (6-0)
• Approved motion to hold a closed session under Va. Code §2.2‑3711 (6-0)

City Council

The council will hold a public hearing on the sale of the property at 633 Eppes St. The meeting also includes a fee change ordinance from the Fire Department, a supplemental appropriation for the school division, and a conditional use permit request for two non‑conforming parcels on S.19th Ave. In the work session, councilors will review proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance for sign regulations and to add urban agriculture as an allowable use.

• PH-4: Sale of the property at 633 Eppes St. (Charles Bennett, Economic Development)
• PH-1: Fire Department fee change ordinance (Chief Ruppert)
• PH-2: School Division supplemental appropriation (Dr. Melody Hackney)
• PH-3: Conditional use permit for parcels #013-1595 and #013-1600 on S.19th Ave.
• Work session: Amendments to Zoning Ordinance Articles IX-A and XVIII (sign regulations, urban agriculture)

The council voted 6-0 to let Councilor Stokes participate remotely. It then approved a closed meeting on real‑estate, contract and personnel matters by a 7-0 vote, and later voted 7-0 to reconvene in open session. Finally, a 7-0 vote appointed Vice Mayor Joyner to the Legislative Committee and Councilor Rapole to the Crater Planning District Commission.

• Approved remote participation for Councilor Stokes (6-0)
• Approved closed meeting to discuss real property, contracts, and personnel matters (7-0)
• Approved reconvening to open meeting (7-0)
• Appointed Vice Mayor Joyner to Legislative Committee (7-0)
• Appointed Councilor Rapole to Crater Planning District Commission (7-0)

Economic Development Authority

The Economic Development Authority of Hopewell will hold a regular meeting on September 8, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. in the Municipal Building. The meeting agenda is currently procedural and does not list specific items for decision.

• Meeting Notice: Economic Development Authority
• Date: Monday, September 8, 2025
• Time: 4:00 p.m.
• Location: Municipal Building, Sally Port Room
• Contact: Shanna Story, Chairperson

The board approved a closed session to discuss real‑property acquisition and disposition. It then approved the August 4, 2025 minutes, the Treasurer’s Report, and created the B-1 District Real Estate Committee. The Chair appointed four members to the new committee and the meeting was adjourned.

• Approved closed session on real‑property matters (unanimous)
• Certified that only exempted matters were discussed (3 affirm, 1 abstain)
• Approved August 4, 2025 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Approved Treasurer’s Report (unanimous)
• Established the B-1 District Real Estate Committee (unanimous)
• Appointed Evan Kauffman, Drew Dayberry, John Eliades, and Matthew Mellon to the committee
• Adjourned meeting (unanimous)

City Council

The City Council will convene for a special meeting on August 22, 2025. The primary purpose of the meeting is to enter a closed session to discuss personnel matters regarding City Clerk interviews.

• Closed session to discuss City Clerk interviews

The council voted 4‑0 to allow Councilor Stokes and Mayor Partin to join meetings remotely. It then voted 6‑0 to enter a closed meeting to discuss personnel matters under Virginia Code §2.2‑3711(A)(1). The council subsequently voted 6‑0 to reconvene as an open meeting, and a certification motion also passed 6‑0.

• Remote participation for Councilor Stokes and Mayor Partin approved (4-0)
• Closed meeting to discuss personnel matters approved (6-0)
• Reopen meeting as open session approved (6-0)
• Certification of exempt public business approved (6-0)

City Council

The council appointed Robert Gill to the Dock Commission by a 6-0 vote. It also approved remote participation for Councilor Stokes (5-0), adopted a revised agenda order (6-0), authorized a closed meeting to discuss contract and personnel matters (6-0), and amended the agenda to move R-1 to the next meeting (6-0). The consent agenda was adopted unanimously (6-0).

• Approved remote participation for Councilor Stokes (5-0)
• Adopted revised agenda placing city manager’s report before citizen comments (6-0)
• Authorized closed meeting to discuss contract and personnel matters (6-0)
• Reopened open meeting after closed session (6-0)
• Appointed Robert Gill to the Dock Commission (6-0)
• Amended agenda to remove R-1 item and defer it to next meeting (6-0)
• Adopted consent agenda (6-0)

City Council

The council voted to allow Councilor Yolanda Stokes to join meetings remotely. It then authorized a closed meeting under Virginia Code §2.2‑3711(A)(1) to discuss council appointment recommendations. Finally, the council voted to reconvene the meeting as an open session.

• Approved remote participation for Councilor Stokes (5-0)
• Authorized closed meeting to discuss appointment recommendations (6-0)
• Reopened meeting by reconvening to open session (6-0)

Planning Commission/Wetlands Board

The commission approved the July 3, 2025 meeting minutes by a 4‑0 vote. It also approved a zoning amendment to update sign regulations for monument‑style freestanding signs, window signs, and other signage in multiple districts, also by a 4‑0 vote. The meeting was then adjourned.

• Approved July 3, 2025 meeting minutes (4-0)
• Approved zoning amendment for sign regulations in B‑1, B‑2, B‑3, B‑4 districts (4-0)
• Motion to adjourn the meeting passed

Economic Development Authority

The board unanimously approved the minutes from the July 7 meeting and the Treasurer’s Report. Members agreed to retain the EDA’s post office box. A closed session was approved to discuss acquiring real property and a prospective business, and the session was later closed by unanimous vote.

• Approved July 7 minutes (unanimous)
• Approved Treasurer’s Report (unanimous)
• Decided to retain EDA post office box (unanimous)
• Approved closed session to discuss property acquisition and prospective business (unanimous)
• Approved motion to end closed session (unanimous)

City Council

The Hopewell City Council heard a FY25 financial overview, a sewer rate study recommending a 40% increase, an update on the FY22 audit draft, and a forensic audit of PCard and fuel transactions. Council members discussed the findings and potential policy changes, but no actions were approved, denied, or voted on.

City Council

The council voted to let Councilor Stokes join meetings remotely (5‑0). They adopted a revised agenda placing the city manager’s report before citizen comments (6‑0). A closed‑meeting motion was approved to discuss a public contract and legal matters (6‑0), followed by a motion to reconvene the open meeting (6‑0). Finally, the meeting was extended until agenda item R‑2 was finished (7‑0).

• Allowed Councilor Stokes remote participation (5-0)
• Adopted revised agenda to start with city manager’s report (6-0)
• Entered closed meeting to discuss public contract and legal matters (6-0)
• Reopened open meeting after closed session (6-0)
• Extended meeting until R-2 agenda item completed (7-0)

Economic Development Authority

The Economic Development Authority approved the June 2 minutes and the Treasurer’s Report without dissent. Members unanimously adopted a revised Electronic Communications Policy allowing regular virtual meetings. The Board also approved a three‑month renewal of the Spectrum Growth contract on the same terms. A closed‑session was authorized to discuss real‑property acquisition and prospective business matters.

• Approved June 2, 2025 meeting minutes (unanimously)
• Approved Treasurer’s Report showing $12,697 profit (unanimously)
• Approved revised Electronic Communications Policy for virtual meetings (unanimously)
• Renewed Spectrum Growth contract for an additional three months at existing terms (unanimously)
• Approved FY2026 operation budget support request of $20,000 (unanimously)
• Authorized closed session to discuss real‑property acquisition and prospective business matters (unanimously)

Planning Commission/Wetlands Board

The commission approved a zoning ordinance amendment to allow museum uses in the R‑4 Residential Apartment district, with a conditional use permit requirement. It also approved a Conditional Use Permit for VetsHousing Solutions LLC to build a single‑family home on non‑conforming parcels. Several agenda items and the previous meeting minutes were unanimously approved, and staff was directed to begin a sign‑regulation amendment.

• Removed public hearings #2 & #3 from agenda (3-0)
• Approved June 5, 2025 minutes (3-0)
• Amended agenda to move item #4 to first hearing (3-0)
• Approved Conditional Use Permit for VetsHousing Solutions LLC with conditions (3-0)
• Approved Zoning Ordinance Amendment adding “Museum” to R‑4 district with CUP requirement (3-0)
• Approved initiation of sign‑regulation amendment in Articles IX‑A and XVIII (3-0)
• Adjourned meeting (3-0)

City Council

The council approved appointments to the Bright Point Community College Board and the Hopewell School Board, completing the votes with a unanimous 7‑0 decision. Earlier motions to enter and exit a closed session and to allow remote participation were also passed unanimously. No final decision was made on the proposed sliding‑scale membership model for the community center.

• Motion to enter closed session under Va. Code §2.2‑371 passed 7‑0
• Motion to allow Councilors Stokes and Harris to participate remotely passed 7‑0
• Motion to allow Councilors Harris and Stokes to participate remotely passed 5‑0
• Motion to reconvene open meeting passed 7‑0
• Appointment of Katherine Caricofe to Bright Point Community College Board and Christopher Reber, John Griffin, Heather Bennett to the School Board passed 6‑1
• Separate appointment of Christopher Reber to the School Board passed 6‑1
• Final appointment of Katherine Caricofe, Christopher Reber, John Griffin, and Heather Bennett passed 7‑0

City Council

The Hopewell City Council approved a series of procedural motions, including remote participation for a councilor, a revised agenda order, and a closed‑meeting session. It also certified exempt public business, reconvened the open meeting, and adopted the consent agenda. The council voted 7‑0 to appoint Jennifer Lowery to the Architecture Review Board. A motion to overrule the parliamentarian failed 4‑3.

• Approve remote participation for Councilor Holloway (6-0)
• Adopt revised agenda placing City Manager report before citizen comments (7-0)
• Approve closed meeting to discuss contract and personnel matters (7-0)
• Reopen the meeting after closed session (7-0)
• Certify exempt public business discussed in closed session (7-0)
• Appoint Jennifer Lowery to Architecture Review Board (7-0)
• Motion to overrule parliamentarian fails (4-3)
• Adopt consent agenda (7-0)

Planning Commission/Wetlands Board

The commission unanimously approved the May 1, 2025 meeting minutes. It approved conditional use permits for Baptiste Development LLC on Spruce Street and for George Fetko on Delaware Avenue, each with specific site conditions. The board also approved a zoning ordinance amendment to add “Urban Agriculture” as an allowable use and directed staff to study adding “Museum” to the R-4 Residential Apartment District.

• Approved May 1, 2025 minutes (4-0)
• Approved Conditional Use Permit for Baptiste Development LLC, Spruce Street (4-0)
• Approved Conditional Use Permit for George Fetko, Delaware Avenue (4-0)
• Approved Zoning Ordinance Amendment to add ‘Urban Agriculture’ use (4-0)
• Directed staff to research adding ‘Museum’ to R-4 Residential Apartment District (4-0)

Economic Development Authority

The Economic Development Authority unanimously approved the minutes from the May 5, 2025 meeting and the Treasurer’s financial report. A motion to hold a closed session was also approved unanimously, followed by a unanimous vote to exit the closed session. No other substantive actions were decided at this meeting.

• Approved May 5, 2025 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Approved Treasurer’s report (unanimous)
• Approved motion to hold closed session (unanimous)
• Approved motion to exit closed session (unanimous)

City Council

The Hopewell City Council approved several motions, including allowing a councilor to join remotely, naming a clerk pro tem, and entering a closed session to discuss contracts and personnel. The council then appointed Susan Gill to the District 19 Community Service Board and Britney Irving to the Hopewell Prince George's Healthy Families Board.

• Allowed Councilor Stokes to participate remotely (6-0)
• Named Mr. Bessette clerk pro tem (6-0)
• Amended agenda to move up City Manager reports (6-0)
• Entered closed meeting to discuss contract, real estate, and personnel matters (6-0)
• Reopened open meeting (7-0)
• Certified only exempt matters were discussed in closed meeting (7-0)
• Appointed Susan Gill to District 19 Community Service Board and Britney Irving to Hopewell Prince George's Healthy Families Board (7-0)
• Approved consent agenda (7-0)

City Council

Council approved a closed‑session to discuss a public contract, legal matters, and personnel issues (6‑0). The council certified that only exempt public business was covered in that session (6‑0) and extended the meeting until the CCR‑6 agenda item was finished (6‑0). In a separate vote, councilors overruled the city attorney’s interpretation that an absent councilor’s vote counts as a “no,” passing the motion 5‑1.

• Approved closed‑session on contract, legal and personnel matters (6‑0)
• Certified only exempt public business was discussed in closed session (6‑0)
• Extended meeting until CCR‑6 was finished (6‑0)
• Overruled city attorney’s ruling on absent votes; motion passed (5‑1)

Economic Development Authority

The board unanimously approved the minutes from the April 7 meeting and the Treasurer’s report. A motion to hold a closed session for discussing real‑property acquisition, disposition, and prospective business was approved unanimously. The board then unanimously voted to end the closed session.

• Approved April 7 minutes (unanimous)
• Approved Treasurer’s report (unanimous)
• Approved closed session to discuss property acquisition and business (unanimous)
• Approved motion to end closed session (unanimous)

City Council

The council first rejected a motion to waive special‑meeting rules (4‑3). It then approved a motion to reconsider the City Manager's employment (5‑2). Finally, the council voted 4‑3 to terminate City Manager Dr. Concetta Manker without cause.

• Motion to waive special‑meeting rules failed (4‑3)
• Motion to reconsider City Manager employment passed (5‑2)
• Motion to terminate City Manager Dr. Concetta Manker passed (4‑3)
• Motion to end discussion passed (4‑3)

Planning Commission/Wetlands Board

The commission approved the minutes from the previous meeting by a 3-0 vote. It also approved the subdivision of 700 S. 6" Avenue, identified as Parcel #061-0161, also by a 3-0 vote. No other business was taken.

• Approved previous meeting minutes (3-0)
• Approved subdivision of 700 S. 6" Avenue, Parcel #061-0161 (3-0)

City Council

The Hopewell City Council voted to enter closed sessions twice to discuss a public contract, reconvened open sessions, certified that only exempt matters were discussed, amended the agenda to allow a councilor’s announcement and to combine agenda items, adopted the consent agenda, and extended the meeting. Councilor Holloway announced his resignation during the meeting.

• Closed session to discuss contract approved (5-0)
• Open session reconvened approved (6-0)
• Certification that only exempt matters were discussed approved (6-0)
• Agenda amended to allow councilor announcement approved (6-0)
• Second closed session to discuss contract approved (6-0)
• Agenda amended to combine CCR-1 and R-1 approved (5-0)
• Consent agenda adopted approved (5-0)
• Meeting extended to item R-9 approved (5-0)

Finance Committee

The council approved a motion allowing Councilor Harris to participate remotely (5-0). It approved entering a closed meeting to discuss personnel matters (6-0). The council then approved reconvening the open meeting and amended the agenda to add a resolution and move the budget review (6-0). Finally, it adopted a resolution to reimburse the city from proceeds of tax‑exempt financing for capital improvement projects (6-0).

• Approved remote participation for Councilor Harris (5-0)
• Approved closed meeting to discuss personnel matters (6-0)
• Approved reconvening the open meeting (6-0)
• Certified only exempt public business was discussed in closed meeting (6-0)
• Approved agenda amendment adding SB-1 and moving budget review to SB-2 (6-0)
• Adopted reimbursement resolution for capital improvement financing (6-0)

City Council

The Hopewell City Council voted 5-0 to direct the city manager to execute a nonbinding letter of intent with Emerson Ventures LLC for commercial space at 200 North Main Street, expected to be available in spring 2027. The council also adopted the regular meeting agenda and the consent agenda, and took several procedural actions including a closed‑meeting vote and extending the meeting.

• Closed meeting to discuss personnel and contract matters (5-0)
• Reopened open meeting (4-0)
• Certified public business exemption for closed meeting (5-0)
• Approved nonbinding LOI with Emerson Ventures for 200 North Main St (5-0)
• Extended meeting to last item of business (5-0)
• Adopted regular meeting agenda (5-0)
• Adopted consent agenda (5-0)

Economic Development Authority

The Economic Development Authority unanimously approved retaining 509 3½ Avenue and renting it out. It also approved hiring a professional property‑management company through an RFP. Members were unanimously appointed Shanna Story as Secretary/Treasurer. The meeting also approved the minutes and treasurer’s report.

• Approved February 3, 2025 minutes (unanimous)
• Approved Treasurer’s report (unanimous)
• Retained 509 3½ Avenue property and authorized rental (unanimous)
• Approved hiring a professional property‑management company via RFP (unanimous)
• Nominated Shanna Story as Secretary/Treasurer (unanimous)
• Authorized closed‑session meeting on real‑property acquisition (unanimous)
• Authorized exit from closed session (unanimous)

Planning Commission/Wetlands Board

The Planning Commission approved a zoning ordinance amendment that adds a Conditional Use Permit requirement for automobile and truck service, rental, and sales uses. It also denied a Conditional Use Permit for a single‑family home on Parcel #014-1252. Additional actions included agenda changes, approval of minutes, submission of the annual report, election of officers, and adjournment.

• Removed Subdivision of 700 S. 6th Avenue (Parcel #061-0161) from agenda (5-0)
• Approved meeting minutes as amended (5-0)
• Denied Conditional Use Permit for LA Nova Properties on Parcel #014-1252 (4-1)
• Adopted zoning ordinance amendment adding Conditional Use Permit requirement for auto-related uses (5-0)
• Submitted Planning Commission Annual Report to City Council as consent agenda item (5-0)
• Elected Paul Reynolds chairman and Carlos Roman vice‑chairman (5-0)
• Adjourned the meeting (5-0)

City Council

Councilors approved a closed‑meeting motion to discuss personnel and contract matters (5‑0). They also approved appointments to the community planning management team, District 19, Architectural Review Board, and Planning Commission (5‑0). The consent agenda and regular agenda were each adopted unanimously (6‑0). Finally, the council adopted Option A for the health‑insurance renewal, splitting the $620,000 cost increase between the city and employees (6‑0).

• Approved closed‑meeting motion to discuss personnel and contract matters (5‑0)
• Certified that only exempt matters were discussed in the closed meeting (5‑0)
• Approved appointments of Latonya Doctor, Brenda Pelham, Rosalyn Capers, Chris Lofstrom, Todd Butterworth (5‑0)
• Extended meeting until completion of R6 (6‑0)
• Approved consent agenda (6‑0)
• Adopted regular agenda (6‑0)
• Approved Option A for health‑insurance renewal, city absorbs $508,000, employees $112,000 (6‑0)

City Council

The council voted 7‑0 to amend the agenda, replacing item 6 with economic development and parks. A 6‑0 vote allowed Councilor Harris to join remotely. The body entered a closed session on legal and personnel matters (7‑0) and later returned to open session (7‑0). No final vote was taken on the request to hire an additional assistant city attorney.

• Amended agenda to replace item 6 with economic development and parks (7‑0)
• Allowed Councilor Harris to participate remotely (6‑0)
• Entered closed session to discuss legal and personnel matters (7‑0)
• Exited closed session and resumed open meeting (7‑0)
• Certified that only exempt matters were discussed in closed session (7‑0)