Will Colonial Heights approve the proposed real property tax increase? THE AGENDA.

Welcome to The Agenda! This weekly feature will cover all the public meetings in Petersburg, Hopewell and Colonial Heights that may be important to you.

Closed meetings are all the rage

Several City Council meetings are on the books this week for Hopewell, Petersburg and Colonial Heights. A couple of these meetings will be closed to the public, including closed special city council meetings in Petersburg and Hopewell on May 7.

Petersburg City Council's regular meeting on Tuesday will include a public hearing and vote on whether the city will be adopting the latest version of Petersburg's "Comprehensive Plan" — the city's guide for the future of Petersburg. As the guiding policy document for the long-term planning and future development of Petersburg, The Comprehensive Plan is the city’s most important document for navigating growth, development, and change, according to the city of Petersburg. The current version of the Comprehensive Plan was drafted by consulting firm The Berkley Group with input from the Planning Commission, City Council and members of the community, including Petersburg high school students.

The Colonial Heights City Council meeting on Tuesday will include a discussion on approving the city's proposed Capital Improvement Plan for 2025-2029. This proposed plan aims to match anticipated core infrastructure needs in the city with available funding to meet those needs. There will also be a public hearing on the proposed real property tax increase in the city, and an opportunity for public comment at the meeting. Meanwhile, Hopewell's City Council meeting on Wednesday will focus on a discussion of the city's FY25 budget.

Tuesday, May 7

Petersburg City Council Closed Session meeting, 3 - 4 p.m., Petersburg Public Library. According to the meeting's agenda, the meeting will be closed for City Council to receive legal advice from the City Attorney.

Petersburg regular City Council meeting, 5 - 6 p.m., Multipurpose Room of the Petersburg Public Library. View the agenda for this meeting here.

Hopewell City Council closed Special meeting, 6:30 p.m., Municipal Building (City Council Chambers) 300 N. Main Street. According to the meeting agenda, the session will be closed to discuss and consider personnel matters. Inquiries? Contact City Clerk Brittani Williams at (804) 541-2408.

Colonial Heights City Council Special meeting, 6 - 9 p.m., Council Chambers, first floor of City Hall. View the agenda for this meeting here.

Wednesday, May 8

Petersburg Architectural Review Board meeting, 6 p.m., Multipurpose Room of the Petersburg Public Library. View the agenda for this meeting here.

Downtown Design Review Committee meeting, 3:30 p.m., Municipal Building (City Council Conference Room) 300 N. Main Street. Inquiries? Contact Senior Planner Kelly Davis at (804) 541-2269.

Hopewell City Council Special meeting to discuss the FY25 budget, 6:30 p.m., Municipal Building (City Council Chambers) 300 N. Main Street. Inquiries? Contact City Clerk Brittani Williams, at (804) 541-2408.

City of Colonial Heights Planning Commission meeting, 6 - 8 p.m., City Council Chambers (201 James Avenue.) View the agenda for this meeting here.

Thursday, May 9

Hopewell City School Board meeting, 5:30 p.m., School Board Office (103 N. 12th Avenue.) This meeting is open to the public and in-person public comment will be accepted. Citizens are encouraged to provide written public comments prior the meeting by emailing the board clerk, Michelle Ingram, mingram@hopewell.k12.va.us. View the agenda for this meeting here.

Tuesday, May 14

Colonial Heights City Council Regular meeting, 7 - 9 p.m., City Council Chambers, 201 James Avenue. Find the agenda for this meeting here.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: THE AGENDA: proposed property tax hike in Colonial Heights and more.