City of Hampton - File #: 26-0126

• File #: 26-0126
• Version: 1
• Name: Accept Bid Submitted by Virginia Natural Gas
• Type: Ordinance-Non-coded
• Status: Agenda Ready
• File created: 3/26/2026
• In control: City Council Legislative Session
• On agenda: 4/8/2026
• Title: Ordinance Accepting the Bid Submitted by Virginia Natural Gas, Inc. for a Non-Exclusive Franchise Agreement to Occupy and Use the Public Streets and Public Rights-of-Way Located in the City of Hampton for Providing Natural Gas Public Utility Services
• Code sections: Code of Virginia 15.2-2100 - Restrictions on selling certain municipal public property and granting franchises, Code of Virginia 15.2-2101 - Ordinance proposing grant of franchise, etc., to be advertised, Code of Virginia 15.2-2102 - How bids received and to whom franchise awarded

Title
Ordinance Accepting the Bid Submitted by Virginia Natural Gas, Inc. for a Non-Exclusive Franchise Agreement to Occupy and Use the Public Streets and Public Rights-of-Way Located in the City of Hampton for Providing Natural Gas Public Utility Services


Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
Virginia Natural Gas, Inc. (“VNG”), a natural gas public utility service provider, contacted the City of Hampton (the “City”) and advised that VNG can better serve the citizens of the City by having a franchise to use and occupy the public streets and public rights-of-way located within the City for the purpose of providing Natural Gas Public Utility Services. Pursuant to the Constitution of Virginia and the Virginia Code, the City has the authority to grant franchises and other authorizations for the use and occupancy of the public streets and public rights-of-way, but if the franchise is for a period greater than five years, then the City must go through the bid process set forth in the Virginia Code. Pursuant to the provisions of §15.2-2100 et. seq. of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, the City agreed to offer franchises to qualified providers by publicly inviting bids for a non-exclusive franchise agreement, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the City’s proposed Ordinance and Agreement attached as “EXHIBIT 1” thereto. The Public Notice for the invitation for bids for the franchise and for the subsequent adoption of the Ordinance was run in the newspaper as required by the Code of Virginia. At the March 25, 2026 City Council Meeting, one bid from VNG was received and opened.

City staff recommends accepting VNG's bid and granting VNG the non-exclusive franchise as set forth in the aforesaid "EXHIBIT 1." As required by the Virginia Code, a public hearing has been scheduled for the April 8, 2026 City Council Meeting.



Discussion:

See Purpose/Background above.

Impact:

See Purpose/Background above.

Recommendation:
Rec

Hold public hearing, accept...