Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond

Virginia Beach City Council Member

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Official Biography

Councilmember Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond was elected in the November 2022 election to represent District 4. She previously served as a member of City Council from 2012 to 2016. Amelia has been appointed to the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission and Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads (HRT), and is a liaison to the 2040 Vision to Action Community Coalition, Atlantic Park Community Development Authority, Housing Advisory Board, Minority Business Council, Central Business District and Something in the Water Festival.

Amelia is a high school graduate of Moreton Hall in Shropshire, England; holds a bachelor’s in music education from Ithaca College, New York; a master’s in music education from the College of New Jersey; and a doctorate in education leadership, curriculum, and instructions with a minor in ethnomusicology from the University of Denver. She is a graduate of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership program from the University of Virginia and retired from Norfolk State University as distinguished professor emerita. She also served as the chair for the Virginia Music Educators Conference Multicultural Awareness Committee.

Politically, Amelia has received several gubernatorial appointments, including the Council on the Status of Women by Gov. Kaine; Community Services State Board by Gov. McDonnell; Hampton Roads Transit Commission by Gov. McAuliffe and was currently reappointed to HRT by Gov. Northam. She currently chairs the Mayor’s IDEA Commission for inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility.

A servant leader in the community, Dr. Ross-Hammond is the founder and chairman of the Virginia African American Cultural Center, Inc. Under her leadership, the VAACC was recently awarded a $1 million grant from the Virginia Tourism Corporation to expand its current educational activities by providing African American historical and cultural programs across the commonwealth.

Amelia has served on multiple boards including chair of the United Way of South Hampton Roads Minority Advisory Council, the Elizabeth River Project and president emerita of Arts for Learning Virginia. She is the immediate past president of the Virginia Beach Beautification Commission, secretary of the Vibe Creative District and board member of the Hospice House of Hampton Roads. Amelia is a founding member of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation’s Visionaries for Change, Virginia College Affordability Policy Council and National Black Women for Positive Change.

Dr. Ross-Hammond is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Meyera E. Oberndorf Human Rights Achievement in Government award from the Human Rights Commission; Hampton Roads Planning District Commission Resolution of Recognition from the City of Virginia Beach; “Impacting Lives Award” from the New Journal and Guide; 2021 Servant Leader and a letter of commendation for her community service read at the U.S. Capitol by Congresswoman Elaine Luria.

Yes Votes

No Votes

Abstain

Absent

Voting Record by Agenda Item

Filter Agenda Items by Ross-Hammond's Vote

Not On Council (446)

Yes (126)

K.1. – Virginia Beach City Council Meeting – 4/18/2023

Item Description:

Ordinance to AUTHORIZE the Dedication of a 2,679 square feet (0.06150 acre) Utility Easement to Dominion Energy Virginia over City-owned property at 1525 Salem Road re serve HRSD facilities

Action:

Adopted, By Consent

Vote:

11-0

Yes:

No:

Abstain:

Absent:

K.2. – Virginia Beach City Council Meeting – 4/18/2023

Item Description:

Resolution to AUTHORIZE the City Manager to EXECUTE a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and the Navy at Navy Bases located in Virginia Beach re coordination of law enforcement

Action:

Adopted, By Consent

Vote:

11-0

Yes:

No:

Abstain:

Absent:

K.3. – Virginia Beach City Council Meeting – 4/18/2023

Item Description:

Resolution to AMEND the Cost Allocation Agreement between the Cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach and the Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads

Action:

Adopted, By Consent

Vote:

11-0

Yes:

No:

Abstain:

Absent:

K.4. – Virginia Beach City Council Meeting – 4/18/2023

Item Description:

Ordinance to ESTABLISH Capital Project #100664 "5/31 Memorial"; TRANSFER $1.2-Million from the General Fund Vacancy Savings to Capital Project #100664; AUTHORIZE the City Manager to negotiate a design contract with Dills Architects, PC and APPROVE the 5/31 Memorial site

Action:

Adopted, By Consent

Vote:

11-0

Yes:

No:

Abstain:

Absent:

K.5. – Virginia Beach City Council Meeting – 4/18/2023

Item Description:

Ordinance to ACCEPT and APPROPRIATE $4,660,479 from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to the FY 2022-23 Public Works Operating Budget and TRANSFER 4,660,479 to the FY2022-23 Capital Improvement Program as pay-as-you-go funding re Capital Project #100401 "Street Reconstruction II"

Action:

Adopted, By Consent

Vote:

11-0

Yes:

No:

Abstain:

Absent:

K.6. – Virginia Beach City Council Meeting – 4/18/2023

Item Description:

Ordinance to ACCEPT and APPROPRIATE $784,142 reimbursement from Mancon, LLC; APPROPRIATE $1-Million from the City Garage Internal Service Fund Balance and TRANSFER $1-Million from capital outlay accounts to the FY2022-23 City Garage Internal Service Fund Operating Budget re increase cost of parts

Action:

Adopted, By Consent

Vote:

11-0

Yes:

No:

Abstain:

Absent:

L.1. – Virginia Beach City Council Meeting – 4/18/2023

Item Description:

DAVID C. & MERIL B. GERSTENMAIER for a Street Closure re fifteen (15)-foot portion of an unimproved, unnamed alley adjacent to 650 South Atlantic Avenue & Lot 22, Block 20, Croatan Beach DISTRICT 5 (formerly District 6—Beach) RECOMMENDATION: APPROVAL

Action:

Adopted, By Consent

Vote:

11-0

Yes:

No:

Abstain:

Absent:

L.2. – Virginia Beach City Council Meeting – 4/18/2023

Item Description:

BORN PRIMITIVE, LLC/MODERN SAVAGE INVESTMENTS, LLC for a Modification of Proffers to a Conditional Change of Zoning re office warehouse at Southeastern corner of the intersection of Virginia Beach & North Oceana Boulevards DISTRICT 6 (formerly District 6—Beach) Approved February 24, 2004 RECOMMENDATION: APPROVAL

Action:

Approved/Modified/Proffered, By Consent

Vote:

11-0

Yes:

No:

Abstain:

Absent:

L.3. – Virginia Beach City Council Meeting – 4/18/2023

Item Description:

B AND B ASSOCIATES OF VIRGINIA, INC/INDIAN RIVER APARTMENTS, LLC for a Change in Nonconformity re expansion of apartment complex at 1008 Mineola Drive DISTRICT 1 (formerly District 2—Kempsville) RECOMMENDATION: APPROVAL

Action:

Approved/Conditioned, By Consent

Vote:

11-0

Yes:

No:

Abstain:

Absent:

L.4. – Virginia Beach City Council Meeting – 4/18/2023

Item Description:

JOE WHITE/PEMBROKE SQUARE ASSOCIATES, LLC for a Special Exception for Alternative Compliance re allow for wall signage larger than what is permitted by the Central Business Core (CBC) Form Based Code at 4564 Virginia Beach Boulevard DISTRICT 9 (formerly District 4—Bayside) RECOMMENDATION: APPROVAL

Action:

Approved/Conditioned, By Consent

Vote:

11-0

Yes:

No:

Abstain:

Absent:

L.5. – Virginia Beach City Council Meeting – 4/18/2023

Item Description:

OCEAN CHILLIN, LLC for a Conditional Use Permit re short term rental at 303 Atlantic Avenue, Unit 300 DISTRICT 5 (formerly District 6—Beach) RE

Action:

Approved/Conditioned, By Consent

Vote:

11-0

Yes:

No:

Abstain:

Absent:

L.6. – Virginia Beach City Council Meeting – 4/18/2023

Item Description:

MICHAEL BIONDOLILLO/ HELEN A. LEWIS for a Conditional Use Permit re short term rental at 2113 Atlantic Avenue, Unit 2C DISTRICT 6 ( formerly District 6— Beach) RECOMMENDATION: APPROVAL

Action:

Approved/Conditioned, By Consent

Vote:

11-0

Yes:

No:

Abstain:

Absent:

Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond

Virginia Beach City Council Member

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Official Biography

Councilmember Dr. Amelia Ross-Hammond was elected in the November 2022 election to represent District 4. She previously served as a member of City Council from 2012 to 2016. Amelia has been appointed to the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission and Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads (HRT), and is a liaison to the 2040 Vision to Action Community Coalition, Atlantic Park Community Development Authority, Housing Advisory Board, Minority Business Council, Central Business District and Something in the Water Festival.

Amelia is a high school graduate of Moreton Hall in Shropshire, England; holds a bachelor’s in music education from Ithaca College, New York; a master’s in music education from the College of New Jersey; and a doctorate in education leadership, curriculum, and instructions with a minor in ethnomusicology from the University of Denver. She is a graduate of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership program from the University of Virginia and retired from Norfolk State University as distinguished professor emerita. She also served as the chair for the Virginia Music Educators Conference Multicultural Awareness Committee.

Politically, Amelia has received several gubernatorial appointments, including the Council on the Status of Women by Gov. Kaine; Community Services State Board by Gov. McDonnell; Hampton Roads Transit Commission by Gov. McAuliffe and was currently reappointed to HRT by Gov. Northam. She currently chairs the Mayor’s IDEA Commission for inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility.

A servant leader in the community, Dr. Ross-Hammond is the founder and chairman of the Virginia African American Cultural Center, Inc. Under her leadership, the VAACC was recently awarded a $1 million grant from the Virginia Tourism Corporation to expand its current educational activities by providing African American historical and cultural programs across the commonwealth.

Amelia has served on multiple boards including chair of the United Way of South Hampton Roads Minority Advisory Council, the Elizabeth River Project and president emerita of Arts for Learning Virginia. She is the immediate past president of the Virginia Beach Beautification Commission, secretary of the Vibe Creative District and board member of the Hospice House of Hampton Roads. Amelia is a founding member of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation’s Visionaries for Change, Virginia College Affordability Policy Council and National Black Women for Positive Change.

Dr. Ross-Hammond is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Meyera E. Oberndorf Human Rights Achievement in Government award from the Human Rights Commission; Hampton Roads Planning District Commission Resolution of Recognition from the City of Virginia Beach; “Impacting Lives Award” from the New Journal and Guide; 2021 Servant Leader and a letter of commendation for her community service read at the U.S. Capitol by Congresswoman Elaine Luria.

Yes Votes

No Votes

Abstain

Absent

Voting Record by Agenda Item

Filter Agenda Items by Ross-Hammond's Vote

Not On Council (446)

Yes (126)

K.1. – Virginia Beach City Council Meeting – 4/18/2023

Item Description:

Ordinance to AUTHORIZE the Dedication of a 2,679 square feet (0.06150 acre) Utility Easement to Dominion Energy Virginia over City-owned property at 1525 Salem Road re serve HRSD facilities

Action:

Adopted, By Consent

Vote:

11-0

Yes:

No:

Abstain:

Absent:

K.2. – Virginia Beach City Council Meeting – 4/18/2023

Item Description:

Resolution to AUTHORIZE the City Manager to EXECUTE a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and the Navy at Navy Bases located in Virginia Beach re coordination of law enforcement

Action:

Adopted, By Consent

Vote:

11-0

Yes:

No:

Abstain:

Absent:

K.3. – Virginia Beach City Council Meeting – 4/18/2023

Item Description:

Action:

Adopted, By Consent

Vote:

11-0

Yes:

No:

Abstain:

Absent:

K.4. – Virginia Beach City Council Meeting – 4/18/2023

Item Description:

Action:

Adopted, By Consent

Vote:

11-0

Yes:

No:

Abstain:

Absent:

K.5. – Virginia Beach City Council Meeting – 4/18/2023

Item Description:

Action:

Adopted, By Consent

Vote:

11-0

Yes:

No:

Abstain:

Absent:

K.6. – Virginia Beach City Council Meeting – 4/18/2023

Item Description:

Action:

Adopted, By Consent

Vote:

11-0

Yes:

No:

Abstain:

Absent:

L.1. – Virginia Beach City Council Meeting – 4/18/2023

Item Description:

Action:

Adopted, By Consent

Vote:

11-0

Yes:

No:

Abstain:

Absent:

L.2. – Virginia Beach City Council Meeting – 4/18/2023

Item Description:

Action:

Approved/Modified/Proffered, By Consent

Vote:

11-0

Yes:

No:

Abstain:

Absent:

L.3. – Virginia Beach City Council Meeting – 4/18/2023

Item Description:

Action:

Approved/Conditioned, By Consent

Vote:

11-0

Yes:

No:

Abstain:

Absent:

L.4. – Virginia Beach City Council Meeting – 4/18/2023

Item Description:

Action:

Approved/Conditioned, By Consent

Vote:

11-0

Yes:

No:

Abstain:

Absent:

L.5. – Virginia Beach City Council Meeting – 4/18/2023

Item Description:

OCEAN CHILLIN, LLC for a Conditional Use Permit re short term rental at 303 Atlantic Avenue, Unit 300 DISTRICT 5 (formerly District 6—Beach) RE

Action:

Approved/Conditioned, By Consent

Vote:

11-0

Yes:

No:

Abstain:

Absent:

L.6. – Virginia Beach City Council Meeting – 4/18/2023

Item Description:

MICHAEL BIONDOLILLO/ HELEN A. LEWIS for a Conditional Use Permit re short term rental at 2113 Atlantic Avenue, Unit 2C DISTRICT 6 ( formerly District 6— Beach) RECOMMENDATION: APPROVAL

Action:

Approved/Conditioned, By Consent

Vote:

11-0

Yes:

No:

Abstain:

Absent: