Norfolk · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Norfolk public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Plastic Reduction Initiatives
The committee will hear a presentation on city initiatives and plastic reduction from Cindy Shurling and Mark Hattler. This could shape future policies on single-use plastics and litter in the East Little Creek area.
Keep Norfolk Beautiful Engagement
The commission will debrief this year's Arbor Day and plan a November 18 fundraiser that needs two trees. It's part of the city's push toward 30% tree canopy coverage.
Resilience Green Infrastructure Plan
A resident described flooding on every rainfall, flooded cars, rising insurance costs, and dangerous evacuation risk during hurricanes, asking for flood signage, drainage repairs and a safety plan.
Resilience Quotient program overhaul
Norfolk's flood-resilience scoring system for new development isn't working as well as it did in 2018. Staff may shift it from a strict requirement toward incentives, with community engagement still being planned and a briefing due in November.
Ocean View shoreline storm damage funding
After the September 26 nor'easter, Norfolk is asking the state for $20 million in non-federal match money — $17.5 million for Willoughby Spit beach and shoreline protection and $3 million for Army Corps emergency response work.
Port and intermodal noise study
Residents near port and rail operations have been complaining about growing noise. Norfolk wants the Virginia Port Authority to fund a comprehensive acoustic analysis of ship, crane, alarm, locomotive, and truck noise — with Delegate Hernandez carrying the bill.
Flood mitigation non-federal match fund
The city accepted $24.9M in state grant money for the coastal storm risk project at Willoughby Spit, Phases 1A and 1B, with matching funds. This is the flood protection residents on the Spit have been waiting for.
TAME air quality monitoring at Lambert's Point
A resident thanked council for approving right-of-way agreements for three air monitors near the Norfolk Southern coal pier, part of a two-year DEQ study that will finally give the neighborhood real data on coal dust exposure.