When a mysterious code name for a potential project showed up on the City Council’s closed session agenda last week, online speculation began to swirl. “Project Hummingbird is a data center. They are trying to sneak this under your nose,” a person posted on the platform Reddit. From there, a slew of commenters chimed in about their disdain for computer server facilities and the city’s cloak-and-dagger approach. Turns out Project Hummingbird is not a data center. It’s a request for a $100,000 sponsorship for an event in August, according to city spokesperson Ali Weatherton. While using code names runs the risk of stirring up rumors, it’s an important part of the secretive interactions between cities and companies in the early stages of trying to land a deal. “The purpose of the names of projects or companies not being announced is to protect the negotiating position of the City, the company and state projects while discussions remain ongoing,” Weatherton said in an email. “Publicly identifying a company during negotiations could impact its ability to negotiate competitively, particularly when multiple localities and states are being considered, including jurisdictions in Hampton Roads.” … Companies Virginia Beach economic leaders are trying to woo may also be listed under covert labels in publicly available city records.

The Town of Blackstone’s legal bills for the month of April from Spillman Thomas & Battle in Roanoke totalled $11,915.50. Those bills included a total of 50 charges — 30 of which are directly tied to Councilman Chris Page’s FOIA lawsuit against the Town, Councilman Jake Allman, and DBI Exec. Director Sallie Glenn. Of the $11,915.50 that was billed, $9,995 is linked to Page’s lawsuit, or 84% of the Town’s charges. … More legal fees are anticipated in May because Page has appealed the lower court ruling against him to Nottoway Circuit Court. His appeal likely will be heard in July. Page says he hasn’t decided whether he will request a trial by judge or jury because he’s still in the process of filing various Discovery requests.

Charlottesville’s Police Civilian Oversight Board (PCOB) has officially asked City Council to change its oversight model, which would include giving up its independent investigative powers. … The investigative function, which was at the heart of the vision for the board when it was first conceived in 2017, never materialized due to a wide range of practical and legal limitations. The PCOB has not completed a single investigation or hearing in its existence. … City Councilor Michael Payne acknowledged that not being able to perform independent investigations undermines the PCOB’s credibility within the community and asked why public hearings that the community wanted were not an option. … The draft presented to City Council also brings together all the documents that govern the PCOB into one place for clarity and makes recommendations on who could serve on the volunteer board, Interim Director James Walker said.