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7/9/26, 2:55 PM City Council Work Session - Mar 10, 2026 - City Hall - City Council Conference Room, 2400 Washington Ave - Minutes - Adopted
MINUTES OF WORK SESSION
OF THE NEWPORT NEWS CITY COUNCIL
HELD IN THE 10TH FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM
2400 WASHINGTON AVENUE
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2026, 5:00 PM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Councilman Marcellus L. Harris III, D. Div.; Mayor Phillip Jones; Councilman
Cleon M. Long, P.E.; Councilwoman Tina L. Vick; Vice Mayor Curtis D.
Bethany III; Councilman Robert S. Coleman; and Councilman John R. Eley
III
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT: Alan Archer, Robert Pealo, Aggie Hollingsworth, Darlene Bradberry, Lisa
Cipriano, Antonio Dowe, Robbie Well, Sheila McAllister, Elizabeth Barber,
Jody Saunders, Brint Martin, Kimberly Bracy, Ri’Shawn Bassette, Florence
Kingston, Derek Perry, Tyrome Alexander, Sheila White, Chris Perry, Fire
Chief Wesley Rogers, Police Chief Steve Drew, Tammie Dantzler, Torrance
Archie, Frank James, Jered Grimes, Marlin McDaniel, Michelle Cruz,
Sabrina Joy-Hogg, Virginia Blount-Moore, Ralph “Bo” Clayton, Eoghan
“Owen” Miller, David Freeman, Claire Geith, Tiffany Conatser, Stephanie
Martin, Mary Beth Mayer, and Zina F. Middleton
Mayor Jones called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone.
I. Memorial Day Event Update - Noodle: The Thinkers' Convention
City Manager Archer indicated that Global Music Touring was engaged by the Port Warwick
Foundation to plan and produce this new event in the Yard District for Memorial Day weekend.
He introduced Mr. Antonio Dowe and Mr. Robbie Wells as Executive Producers and Event
Managers with Global Music Touring to provide the update.
Mr. Dowe presented the event details, expressing gratitude for the support from City Council,
the Mayor, Vice Mayor, and City staff. He emphasized the collaborative effort required to bring
the project together in the limited timeframe since the last council approval session. Mr. Dowe
explained that the name "Noodle" was chosen deliberately to create something deeper than a
traditional music festival, aiming to have lasting impact on local businesses and citizens both
locally and regionally.
Mr. Dowe advised that the event, officially titled "Noodle: The Thinkers' Convention," was
scheduled for May 22 – 23, 2026, on Memorial Day weekend. Mr. Dowe described it as bringing
together "some of the brightest minds in business, technology, music, and media" along with
regional leaders, emphasizing the goal of highlighting local leaders alongside national talent.
Mr. Dowe presented the concept as "the intersection where culture and commerce meet,"
featuring both commerce elements (keynote speakers, panel discussions, debates, meet and
greets, networking) and culture elements (live performances, creative mentorship, wellness
moments, podcasting, and grant writing).
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