Newport News City Council

To read more about local regulations around coal dust, see Local Regulations.

To read about Norfolk City Council, see: Norfolk City Council

The Newport News City Council is the elected legislative body that governs Newport News, Virginia. Operating under a council-manager form of government, the Council includes a mayor and six other members who are responsible for setting municipal policy, passing local laws, approving budgets, and overseeing land use and development. The Council wields considerable influence over issues related to economic development, environmental regulation, and public health, making it a key player in addressing community concerns about coal dust pollution. It also has jurisdiction over two of the three coal terminals in the Port of Virginia, Dominion Terminal Associates and the Kinder Morgan Terminal.

All council meetings are open to the public (but not all allow public comment). Placards, banners, and signs are banned at meetings: “Citizen comments on matters germane to the business of city council” are allowed as part of the prescribed agenda on every regular meeting, but not special meetings or work session meetings.

Map showing the jurisdiction the Hampton Roads region, with the City of Newport News in purple and the three coal terminals marked.

Political and Regulatory Power

Land Use and Zoning Authority

• Approves or denies rezoning requests, conditional use permits, and special exceptions that determine where coal-related facilities can operate.
• Adopts and amends the Comprehensive Plan and zoning ordinance, shaping long-term development and allowable land uses.
• Can create or expand industrial buffers, limit heavy industry near residential zones, or rezone land to discourage coal handling.
• Regulates site plans and subdivision approvals, including conditions for dust control, enclosure, or landscaping.

Ordinance and Regulatory Power (Local Code)

• Enacts ordinances under local police power to address public nuisances like airborne dust, noise, or truck traffic.
• Can impose operating conditions through business licenses or local permits, such as requirements for covered coal piles or restricted hours.
• Establishes local standards for storage, screening, and material handling on non-rail, non-port private property.
• Passes supplemental ordinances related to air monitoring, stormwater impacts, or emissions disclosure—within the limits of state law
• Process:
  1. A proposed ordinance is introduced by a City Council member, the City Manager, or recommended by a board, commission, or citizen group.
     • Need 1 sponsor to submit
  2. The ordinance is formally introduced at a City Council meeting. It is entered into the public record, and the title is read aloud.
  3. A public notice must be published in a local newspaper at least five days before the vote, per Virginia Law. The notice includes a summary of the ordinance and the date of the public hearing.
  4. Public hearing: Residents and stakeholders are invited to speak in favor of or against the proposed ordinance during a scheduled City Council meeting.
     • People must register with the city clerk at the entrance before the meeting, giving name and address. There is a 3 minute speaking limit. There is nothing about remote meetings or comments in the code.
  5. Council members may debate the proposal and suggest changes. Legal staff may adjust language based on feedback or legal concerns.
  6. Council votes to adopt, amend, or reject the ordinance.
     • A simple majority (4 out of 7 members) is required to pass most ordinances.
  7. If passed, the ordinance becomes law on the effective date specified (often immediately or within 30 days)

Budgetary, Fiscal, and Administrative Oversight

• Approves the city’s annual budget, directing funding to install air quality monitors, support public health studies, or expand code enforcement.
• Adopts the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which can prioritize green buffers, environmental remediation, or infrastructure near coal-affected areas.
• Sets policy direction for the City Manager, who oversees enforcement by departments like Public Works, Planning, and Development.
• Funds legal or consulting work to assess environmental impact or build a case for regulatory changes.

Intergovernmental Advocacy and Public Engagement

• Holds public hearings on ordinances, zoning cases, and major industrial developments, allowing residents to raise coal dust concerns.
• Passes resolutions urging action from the Virginia DEQ, EPA, or General Assembly on regulating coal dust or strengthening permits.
• Submits formal public comments on state air permits or port expansion projects affecting local air quality.
• Appoints members to local boards and commissions (e.g., Planning Commission, Wetlands Board) that review and influence industrial land use.

Limitations

The Newport News City Council operates under Dillon’s Rule, meaning it only has powers explicitly granted by the Virginia General Assembly. It cannot enact laws that conflict with state or federal statutes and has no authority over environmental permitting, which is handled by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Council cannot regulate railroads, which fall under federal jurisdiction, or impose restrictions on state-run facilities like the Port of Virginia. It lacks authority to enforce emissions standards or override DEQ-approved operations. Enforcement power is limited to local tools like fines, stop-work orders, or zoning actions. The Council also cannot create criminal penalties or impose conditions outside the scope of municipal code. Political and budgetary constraints can limit how aggressively ordinances are pursued or enforced.

However, the Council can pass ordinances related to zoning, land use, and public nuisances, including regulations that affect where and how coal-related facilities operate. It can allocate funding for air quality monitoring, environmental studies, or mitigation measures like green buffers. The Council can condition local permits, such as business licenses or special use approvals, to require dust control measures. It can also petition state agencies or the General Assembly for stronger environmental oversight or expanded local authority.

Council Members

Council in 2025

Mayor: Phillip Jones (Term: Jan 01 2023 - Dec 31 2026)

Vice Mayor: Curtis D. Bethany III (Jan 01 2023 - Dec 31 2026)

Councilman Robert Coleman (Jan 01 2025 - Dec 31 2028)

Councilman John R. Eley III (Jan 01 2023 - Dec 31 2026)

Councilman Marcellus L. Harris III, D. Div. (Jan 01 2025 - Dec 31 2028)

Councilman Cleon M. Long, P.E. (Jan 01 2023 - Dec 31 2026)

Councilwoman Tina L. Vick (Jan 01 2025 - Dec 31 2028)