Hampton City Council to Consider $85.4 Million in Public Debt Issuance
Meeting tomorrow could also decide action on proposed anti-camping ordinance ... plus, Council hears findings on the aging peninsula population
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General Obligation Public Improvement Bonds of the City of Hampton
Ordinance to prohibit camping and storage on public
Hampton Serving an Older Peninsula- A SUMMARY
At their scheduled meeting tomorrow, the Hampton City Council will consider authorizing the issuance of General Obligation Public Improvement Bonds totalling up to $85.4M. The Board’s meeting begins at 6:30PM and will be held at 22 Lincoln Street.
This proposed resolution will permit the issuance of both "New Money Bonds" to finance various public improvement projects and "Refunding Bonds" to achieve debt service savings on previously issued general obligation bonds. If authorized, the funds are intended to finance a range of general public improvement projects, including improvements and additions to public buildings, public safety facilities, and public school facilities.
The funds are also intended for enhancements to storm water and other public infrastructure like streets and roads, and parks and recreational facilities are also planned. The acquisition of real property and equipment for public purposes will be covered as well. The issuance, if approved, will be authorized by the Public Finance Act of 1991. The Council is expected to determine that the maximum principal amount authorized falls within the City's legal debt limit, which cannot exceed 10% of the assessed valuation of taxable real estate in the City. The power and obligation to pay the principal and interest on these bonds, if issued, will be unlimited, backed by a pledge by the City.
Proposed Ordinance Prohibiting Camping and Storage on Public Property
During tomorrow's meeting, the City Council is also expected to consider action regarding a Proposed Ordinance Prohibiting Camping and Storage on Public Property. The proposed ordinance in Hampton will prohibit anyone from camping, laying or sleeping, or storing items on public property.
"Camp" is defined broadly to include residing or sleeping on public property using tents, shelters, vehicles, or equivalents, or evidenced by the use of sleeping gear or cooking tools, with exceptions for authorized use.
"Public Property" will cover any property where the City or another governmental entity has a property interest, including beaches, parks, sidewalks, streets, facilities, buildings, schools, and parking lots.
"Store" means accumulating, keeping, leaving, or maintaining personal property on public property for future use, excluding authorized storage or lawfully parked unoccupied vehicles.
Property stored in violation, if unattended, may be immediately seized and stored for 30 days, although items deemed trash, hazardous, or weapons may be immediately disposed of. Violations will be classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor, potentially punishable by up to a year in jail or a $2,500 fine. Prior to charging someone, they will be given a verbal warning to cease the activity and reasonable time to comply, along with information on alternative accommodations like shelters or housing assistance programs.
This proposed ordinance follows recent legal developments, including the U.S. Supreme Court case Johnson v. Grants Pass, which challenged ordinances prohibiting sleeping, camping, and overnight parking on public property. While the Ninth Circuit initially ruled against the city in 2022, the Supreme Court later overturned this decision, clarifying that the Eighth Amendment does not address criminalizing particular behavior and that anti-camping laws applicable to any person are not restricted by prior caselaw cited by the Ninth Circuit. The Supreme Court emphasized that questions of relieving responsibility due to lack of "moral culpability" are generally best left to elected representatives. This ruling provides an additional tool for localities to impose rules while also encouraging outreach programs and services.
Serving an Older Peninsula
Furthermore, the City Council work session tomorrow at 1PM will include discussion of efforts focused on Serving an Older Peninsula, addressing the evolving needs of the region's growing older adult population. A report by the Peninsula Community Foundation of Virginia (PCF), in partnership with the Peninsula Agency on Aging (PAA) and supported by the six Peninsula municipalities including Hampton, has examined the challenges and opportunities of this demographic shift.
The report projects that the number of residents aged 80 and older will more than double by 2050, growing by 122%. Currently, older adults make up 25% of the Peninsula's population, but by 2050, an estimated 43,000 residents will be 80 or older, representing 8% of the total population.
Key findings from the report, which will inform future city planning and resource allocation, indicate significant challenges:
Healthcare needs: A 15% increase in healthcare jobs is projected over the next decade due to increased physical health needs. Projections show a sizable increase in older residents experiencing major disability (+16%) and/or chronic health conditions (+34%) by 2034.
Aging in place: Most older adults reside in homes not designed for aging-in-place, and costly modifications are often needed. Only 2% live in truly walkable communities, and 62% are in areas with below-average walkability.
Caregiving shortage: The demand for paid, skilled caregivers already exceeds the workforce supply, with only about 1 caregiver for every 5 vulnerable residents needing care in 2024. The need for home health aides is projected to increase significantly by 2034, forcing family members to fill gaps, impacting their ability to work and causing strain.
Limited transportation: Limited public transportation and walkability issues will increase with the aging population.
Emergency Support: Older adults are the largest consumers of EMS services. EMS calls are projected to rise by 12% in the next 10 years, while paramedic/EMT numbers grow by only 2%. Local agencies have already seen increases in services like lift assists and welfare checks.
Economic Impact: Changes in spending habits as residents reach their 80s are expected to impact the economy, with median household discretionary spending projected to fall by 6% and median net worth by 2% by 2050. This affects local government revenues, which rely heavily on sales and property taxes.
The Peninsula Agency on Aging (PAA), designated to lead planning and delivery of aging services, coordinates care and advocates for older adults. PAA provides services like adult day care, care coordination, home-delivered meals, and transportation. However, significant gaps remain, including the lack of affordable respite care, inadequate mental health support, insufficient transportation, waitlists for essential services, and the digital divide.
PAA served over 9,000 people in FY2024, providing numerous meals and transportation trips. The report calls for creating a more age-friendly Peninsula through regional collaboration and leveraging existing efforts, recommending actions such as recruiting healthcare workers, expanding housing accessibility and transportation, and supporting family caregivers. These findings will inform the city's strategies moving forward as it plans for the future needs of its residents.