Norfolk City Council

Overview

Map showing the local jurisdictions the Hampton Roads region, with the City of Norfolk in orange and the three coal terminals marked.

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

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.

Documents

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