Norfolk City Council

Why this Information Is Important: The Norfolk City Council consists of representatives of residents' ward and superward and City of Norfolk Mayor, who then hire a City Manager to serve as chief executive of the city. The Council has influence over many issues of economic development, environment, and public health and safety, and jurisdiction over the Norfolk Southern Pier 6 Terminal. In 2023, the Norfolk City Council voted to declare a state of public emergency because of coal dust pollution in Lambert's Point, but the Council has not taken any other action since. Attention: Residents, activists and advocates Highlights: Want to scan the text before jumping in? Read the Voices in the Dust blue sky highlights. Hide Highlights

Overview

The Norfolk City Council consists of seven elected Council members and the City's mayor. Norfolk is organized into a ward system, with the City divided into five Wards and also divided into two superwards. Residents vote for mayor, their Ward Representative, and their superward Representative. The ward system was implemented to promote a more diverse Council, following a 50-year period from 1918 to 1968 when the at-large system produced an all-white Council and a seven-year court case that ended with a U.S. Supreme Court decision requiring the City to use the ward system.

The Council operates under a council-manager form of government, where an elected city council hires a manager to serve as chief executive. The Council is responsible for setting municipal policy, passing local laws, approving budgets, and overseeing land use and development. The Council has influence over issues related to economic development, the environment, and public health, which are relevant to coal dust pollution. The Council also has jurisdiction over the Norfolk Southern Pier 6 Terminal.

A Record of Coal Dust Concerns at City Council Meetings

The Norfolk City Council has received complaints about coal dust pollution and nuisance from residents for decades. Meeting summaries do not provide detailed descriptions of public comments, but a selection of coal dust-related concerns are quoted from recent meeting summaries below. Additional complaints are archived at:

Complaints

Interviews and Oral Histories

Complaints

Oral Histories

City Council Meeting, December 13, 2022

Summary of Comment by Ann Creasy: "Ann Creasy, [address removed] spoke regarding coal dust pollution in Lambert's Point."

Summary of Comment by Monet Johnson: "Monet Johnson, [address removed] spoke regarding coal dust pollution in Lambert's Point."

Summary of Comment by Carl Poole: "Carl Poole, [address removed] spoke regarding coal dust pollution in Lambert's Point."

Summary of Comment by Hunter Noffsinger: "Hunter Noffsinger, [address removed] spoke regarding coal dust pollution in Lambert's Point."

City Council Meeting, May 23, 2023

Summary of Comment by Carl Poole: "Carl Poole spoke regarding declaring a state of public emergency for coal dust pollution in Lambert's Point."

The Norfolk City Council voted on Mr. Poole's declaration, with the outcome being six ayes, one nay, and one member absent. The ayes were Courtney Doyle (Ward 2, which includes Lambert's Point and the Norfolk Southern Pier 6 Terminal), Mamie Johnson (Ward 3), Andria McClellan (Superward 6), Thomas Smigiel Jr. (Ward 5), Thomas Jr. (Ward 1), and Kenneth Alexander (Mayor). John Paige (Ward 4) voted Nay and Danica Royster (Superward 7) was absent.

Resources and Materials: See for Yourself and Dig Deeper

• Wards & Superwards, City of Norfolk, 2014
• Formal Session Meeting Minutes, Norfolk City Council, December 13, 2022
• Formal Session Meeting Minutes, Norfolk City Council, May 23, 2023

Visit Next

Local Ordinances

Virginia General Assembly

Local Ordinances

Virginia General Assembly

The Front Porch and Community Action

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You can also email the Repair Lab at editor@voicesinthedust.org or call, text, or send a voice memo to (757) 317-0356. If you prefer, a Repair Lab team member can record your story in person or collect physical materials to digitize and then return them to you.

Public Comment

Norfolk City Council meetings reserve time for city residents and other members of the public to speak. By sharing your voice at Norfolk City Council meetings, you guarantee that local elected officials hear your concerns and you contribute to a record of evidence around an issue like coal dust pollution that can ultimately compel action, especially if many people raise related concerns.

Regular Norfolk City Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. There is an informal meeting at 4 pm and the formal meeting begins at 6pm. Meetings include time for public comment, but you should request to speak in advance of the meeting by calling (757) 664-4268 by 3pm the day of the meeting. Upcoming meetings and agendas are indicated on the city's online meeting calendar. Detailed information on how to participate in City Council meetings is posted on the Norfolk City Council main webpage the week prior to a scheduled meeting.

Note, these websites might change. Voices in the Dust will try to keep this contact information up to date. However, if a link is broken, you can likely find the new page through a web search of the above information.

Make Some Noise and Be Heard

Here is a sample script you can use to express your concerns and demands:

Dear Norfolk City Council Members, My name is [Your name], and I am a resident of Lambert's Point. I am writing to express serious concerns about the ongoing impacts of coal dust pollution in our community. For decades, residents have raised concerns about coal dust from the Norfolk Southern Pier 6 Terminal. Public comments at Council meetings, including those on December 13, 2022, and May 23, 2023, demonstrate that this issue remains unresolved. Community members have even called for a declaration of a public health emergency due to the persistent dust exposure. The coal dust accumulates on our homes, cars, outdoor spaces, and schools. This affects our quality of life, property values, and finances. Additionally, it is an environmental justice issue because it forces historically burdened neighborhoods to bear the costs and impacts of corporate activities without the benefits. Under the council-manager form of government, the City Council sets policy and oversees land use and development. This places the responsibility squarely in your hands to act. I respectfully request that the City Council pursue enforceable mitigation measures at the terminal and explore all available legal and regulatory tools to protect residents. Residents have spoken out repeatedly. I urge you to move beyond acknowledgment and take concrete, measurable action. Thank you, and I look forward to seeing meaningful progress. Sincerely, [Your name] [Your address] [Your phone and/or email]

Current Mayor and Council Members Representing Lambert's Point

Mayor Kenneth Cooper Alexander: Office phone: (757) 664-4679

Council Member Courtney Doyle, Ward 2: Office phone: (757) 664-4268

Council Member Carlos Clanton, Superward 7: Office phone: (757) 664-4268