Virginia Record
Suffolk
JTR

John T. Rector

Council Member2023-01-03–2026-12-31 (elected Nov 2022, sworn in Jan 3 2023, term expires December 31, 2026 per suffolkva.us/890/Suffolk-Borough; Nov-elected council/mayor terms commence Jan 1 and succeeding term ends December 31 (Va. Code § 24.2-222.1, LIS text read; Suffolk charter text not retrieved))

No biography on file yet.

At a glance

News mentions
0

Term ending Dec 31, 2026.

Voice

Meetings spoken in
24
Total speaking time
1:50:49
Avg per meeting
4:37
Segments
1182

Want every word Rector has said?

The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Rector said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.

Top issues during term (20)

high↑Jun 2026[34]

Data center prohibition

A ban could defer tax-base and job growth from data center projects while the city studies the issue.

high↑Oct 2026[30]

Cannabis retail land use rules

Retail licenses could bring new businesses to commercial corridors; application fees go to the state, not the city.

high→Mar 2026[26]

Disabled veterans real estate tax exemption reform

Growing exemptions shrink the property tax base ahead of the April 1 budget presentation.

high↓Jun 2026[24]

Farmland protection and solar cap

Converting farmland to solar affects the long-term agricultural economy and tax base, though no direct fiscal figure was given.

high→Jul 2026[22]

Table of uses and definitions overhaul

high↑Oct 2026[20]

Pruden Lake Prince rezoning

Up to $12,486.71 per home in cash proffers for school capacity, paid at certificate of occupancy.

high→Sep 2026[17]

Community Corrections Program grant

$464,643 total added to the consolidated grant fund; $80,792 in local support already budgeted.

high↑Oct 2026[16]

Crosswalk request at Diamond Grove Baptist Church

medium↓Aug 2026[15]

Accessory dwelling units citywide (OTA2026-005)

ADUs could add affordable rental inventory, but members worried about strain on older neighborhoods' parking, traffic and schools.

high↓Sep 2026[14]

Flock camera data access concerns

The program runs on grant, budget, and community safety funds; no new cost was requested.

high↑Jun 2026[14]

2026 bond issuance and refunding plan

About $35 million in new borrowing for capital projects, repaid through the city's debt service over time.

medium↑Jul 2026[14]

Bus stops, shelters and transit expansion

You get to save some cash on your commute all week long.

high↓May 2026[13]

State ADU mandate vs. local control

Ordinance updates will cost staff time and could affect fee and tax revenue, but no dollar figure was given.

medium↓Apr 2026[13]

Chesapeake Bay preservation regulation update

Could affect building costs in flood zones; mapped-in properties may face flood insurance requirements.

high↑Apr 2026[13]

School major repair funding

The city's proposed school investment totals $105 million — about 30% of the operating budget — but the board's full request would add $9 million more.

high↑Oct 2026[12]

Playground Passport program

About $6,000 invested, roughly $2.47 per expected participant.

high↑Jul 2026[12]

Regional transportation funding

The city is requesting about $54 million in state funds; the Pruden Boulevard project's total cost estimate is now around $120 million, with local CIP funding covering the rest in FY29–FY30.

high↓Mar 2026[12]

Childcare shortage and Bizzy Bees daycare expansion

Grant program reimburses the provider's permit cost; modest economic development spending with workforce benefits.

medium↓May 2026[11]

Downtown arts district expansion

Potential future capital costs could exceed $1.6 million for roof and HVAC replacement.

high↑Jan 2026[11]

Holland Road rezone deferred

Private development; traffic improvements pledged through amended proffers and permit conditions.

Decisions during term (198)

Recorded while Rector was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.

approved8-0Oct 21, 2026

Approval of the Minutes (Sept 2, 2026 work session and regular meeting)

tabled7-0Oct 21, 2026

Motion to continue Item 17 (Holland Road rezone) to January 20, 2027

approved8-0Oct 21, 2026

Adoption of the agenda as presented

approved8-0Oct 21, 2026

Consent Agenda — school repairs, trail, grants, photo enforcement (Items 7-15)

approved8-0Oct 21, 2026

2027 Legislative Agenda (amended)

tabledOct 21, 2026

RZN2025-002 — Holland Road proffer amendment rezone

approved8-0Oct 21, 2026

CUP2025-018 — accessory dwelling unit, 6528 Harbour Pointe Drive

approved8-0Oct 21, 2026

OTA2026-007 — Unified Development Ordinance housekeeping amendments

approved8-0Oct 21, 2026

OTA2026-008 — data center prohibition

approved8-0Oct 21, 2026

New Business — vacant building registration ordinance motion

approved8-0Oct 21, 2026

Adjournment

approved8-0Oct 21, 2026

Consent Agenda - An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the Virginia Department of Foresty Virginia Trees for Clean Water (VTCW) Grant for the Suffolk Department of Parks and Recreation

approved8-0Oct 20, 2026

Family Subdivision Plat FTR2026-0004

approved8-0Oct 20, 2026

Ordinance Text Amendment OTA2026-010

approved8-0Oct 20, 2026

Ordinance Text Amendment OTA2026-011

approvedOct 20, 2026

Approval of minutes from previous meeting

approved8-0Oct 7, 2026

Motion to convene in closed session

approved8-0Oct 7, 2026

Approval of the Minutes

approved8-0Oct 7, 2026

Adoption of the Agenda

approved8-0Oct 7, 2026

Consent: Route 17 (Bridge Road) Multi-Use Path funding

Voting record (33)

31 yes2 no

Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.

Voted yesAug 19, 2026

City Council convene in a closed meeting for the above-mentioned purposes

Voted yesAug 19, 2026

FY2026-2027 Fee Schedule Amendment

Voted yesAug 19, 2026

Commercial Dog Kennel CUP — 2170 Joshua Lane (CUP2026-009)

Voted yesJul 15, 2026

City Council convene in a closed meeting for the above referenced purposes

Voted yesJul 1, 2026

City Council convene in a closed meeting for the above-mentioned purposes

Voted yesJul 1, 2026

Resolution to endorse project applications under the Smart Scale Funding Program

Voted yesJul 1, 2026

Appointment of Gregory Rosati to the Local Board of Building Code Appeals

Moved the appointment motion.

Voted yesJun 17, 2026

City Council convene in a closed meeting for the above-mentioned purposes

Voted yesJun 17, 2026

Closed Meeting on Board and Commission Appointments

Voted yesJun 17, 2026

FOIA Certification of Closed Meeting

Voted yesJun 17, 2026

Approval of the Minutes

Voted yesJun 17, 2026

Adoption of the Agenda

Voted yesJun 17, 2026

Consent Agenda - Virginia Department of Aviation Funding for 3-Phase Power Project

Voted yesJun 17, 2026

Skydive Suffolk Hangar 9 Lease

Voted yesJun 17, 2026

Kings Highway Farmland Lease

Voted yesJun 17, 2026

Rezoning of 1000 Film Way (RZN2025-010)

Voted yesJun 17, 2026

Conditional Use Permit for Place of Worship at 1000 Film Way (CUP2025-021)

Active churches are an asset to the community and the city.

Voted yesJun 17, 2026

Downtown UDO Text Amendment (OTA2026-004)

Cites the Downtown Advisory Committee's months of work with staff.

Voted yesJun 17, 2026

Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance (OTA2026-005) - Continued

Wants more time to research whether HOAs could prohibit ADUs after the state deadline.

Voted yesJun 17, 2026

Stormwater Billing Ordinance (Section 90-521)

Voted yesJun 17, 2026

Solid Waste Ordinance (Sections 70-58, 70-124, 70-173) - Approved as Amended

10 a.m. was too early given afternoon collection times.

Voted yesJun 17, 2026

Motion to Direct Planning Commission to Draft Data Center Prohibition

Voted yesJun 17, 2026

Appointment of Jennifer Bivins and Clarke Cooper to Paul D. Camp Community College Board

Voted yesMay 20, 2026

Rezone for 79 Affordable Apartments — 1015 South Hillpoint Boulevard (RZN2024-015)

Taft Mills builds quality affordable housing and the need is paramount.

Voted yesMay 20, 2026

Rezone for 44-Unit 55+ Community — 400 Jonathans Way (RZN2025-009)

It adds needed housing diversity on an underused pocket within the growth area.

Voted yesMay 20, 2026

CUP: Probation and Parole Office — Dill Road (CUP2026-003)

The current office causes so little ripple he forgot it was there.

Voted yesMay 20, 2026

City Council convene in a closed meeting for the above referenced purposes

Voted noApr 15, 2026

Adoption of the agenda with River Bend item retained

Voted noApr 15, 2026

Denial of River Bend rezoning (RZN2025-004)

Voted yesApr 15, 2026

Council Member Butler Barlow, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, moved that City Council convene in a closed meeting for the above referenced purposes

Voted yesMar 18, 2026

City Council convene in a closed meeting for the above-mentioned purposes

Voted yesFeb 18, 2026

City Council convene in a closed meeting for the above referenced purposes

Voted yesJan 21, 2026

City Council convene in a closed meeting for the above referenced purpose