LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR
CivicLab has the privilege of helping Norfolk become a more informed, connected, and future focused City. Our mission is simple: use data and innovation to strengthen public services and empower the residents we serve. In 2025, we continued to build a foundation that makes smarter decisions possible, from improving the way information is shared to developing tools that help departments work more efficiently and collaboratively.
Norfolk’s commitment to using data responsibly and transparently earned national recognition, including Gold Certification from What Works Cities and a top five ranking in the Digital Cities Survey. These honors reflect technical progress, a culture of learning, and improvement taking hold across the organization.
We strengthened our regional and national partnerships, sharing insights with peers, contributing to research conversations, and hosting the Fourth Annual Hampton Roads Datathon, an event that continues to inspire creative, community driven solutions.
Behind every dashboard, dataset, and analysis is a growing Citywide network of data leaders and champions. Together, we are building shared skills, shared language, and shared momentum. In 2026, we will continue expanding this community while advancing responsible AI, deepening our understanding of resident experiences, and developing tools that make City services more responsive and effective.
I invite you to explore this annual report to see how CivicLab’s work is shaping Norfolk’s future. If you’re interested in collaborating or learning more, we would be glad to connect. You’ll find our contact information at the end of this report.
Charles Meek, Director of Budget & Strategic Planning
CIVICLAB TEAM KEY CAPABILITIES &
CARL LARSEN
CivicLab Manager
NATASHA SINGH-MILLER
Data Scientist
DAZZELLE BAGTAS
Data Analyst
JAY SPARE
Data Analyst
SERVICE OFFERINGS
TIMOTHY WERNER
Open Data Program Manager
NICHOLAS DARROW
Management Analyst
IZEK MONTEBON
Data Analyst
MATTHEW KONOPKA
Data Analyst
DATA SCIENCE
Analyze City data with advanced analytics and models to uncover trends, predict outcomes, and support data-informed decisions.
OPEN DATA
Provide free public access to City data through Norfolk’s Open Data Portal to promote transparency, innovation, and community engagement.
DATA AUTOMATION
Automate data collection, integration, and refreshes to reduce manual work, improve accuracy, and deliver timely, reliable information.
DATA GOVERNANCE
Develop citywide policies and standards for creating, sharing, protecting, and using data to ensure consistency, security, and responsible decision-making.
DATA CULTURE AND LEADERSHIP
Build a cross-department data community through the Data Leadership Committee, Data Champions, and AI Champions to share knowledge, align strategy, and advance data-informed culture citywide.
BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE/DATA VISUALIZATION
Analyze City data with advanced analytics and models to uncover trends, predict outcomes, and support data-informed decisions.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)
Guide responsible AI adoption by leading the AI Steering Committee and helping departments use AI safely, ethically, and effectively.
DATA STORYTELLING
Combine data, visuals, and narrative to explain complex issues clearly and show how City programs impact residents.
SURVEY DESIGN AND ANALYTICS
Design surveys and analyze feedback to capture resident input, evaluate programs, and improve City services.
TRAINING AND MENTORSHIP
Foster data skills in City staff through the Data Certification Program (DCP) and one-on-one mentorship
CIVICLAB RECOGNITION IN 2025
WHAT WORKS CITIES (WWC) GOLD CERTIFICATION
In 2025, Norfolk achieved What Works Cities Gold Certification, highlighting the City’s strong commitment to data-informed decision-making and improving resident services. CivicLab was instrumental in this accomplishment, advancing the use of data and analytics across City initiatives.
DIGITAL CITIES TOP FIVE
Norfolk ranked in the top five nationally in the Digital Cities Survey for municipalities with populations of 125,000–249,999. CivicLab helped earn this recognition by showcasing the City’s innovative use of data, strong analytics practices, and robust data governance framework.
The honor underscores Norfolk’s continued leadership in using data and technology to improve public service delivery.
BROOKINGS INSTITUTION RESEARCH
CivicLab was invited by the Brookings Institution to participate in a research initiative focused on equitable and community centered data governance. The invitation acknowledged Norfolk’s leading practices, including its open data program and long-standing investments in community-driven data infrastructure.
CivicLab’s insights will help inform a national framework for aligning cities, community organizations, and research institutions around more equitable data use.
SECOND PLACE AT VIRGINIA STATE DATATHON
CivicLab partnered with the Department of Transportation to compete in the Virginia Datathon, going head-to-head with 14 teams from across the Commonwealth on the topic “Leveraging Data for Smoother Transportation.” Building on their first-place win in 2024, the Norfolk team placed second in 2025 with a project that used VDOT crash data to develop a route-finding algorithm prioritizing cyclist safety, enhanced with AI image recognition for real-time bike route previews.
HAMPTON ROADS DATATHON 2025
In October 2025, CivicLab hosted the Fourth Annual Hampton Roads Datathon, bringing together more than 60 participants from across the region to address pressing community challenges through data. This year’s theme, “Mosquito Surveillance and Control,” challenged teams to design innovative, data-informed solutions for mosquito vector management in Hampton Roads. Projects included AI-powered species identification, predictive dashboards, risk mapping, and strategies for sterile insect release. The winning team, computer science students from Old Dominion University (ODU), developed a model to forecast the prevalence of specific mosquito species in Norfolk, enabling more targeted and proactive mitigation efforts.
The Datathon showcases CivicLab’s role as a regional leader in connecting data professionals and fostering cross-sector collaboration across Hampton Roads.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN 2025
The Datathon is just one example of CivicLab’s commitment to engaging the community through data and technology. Throughout 2025, CivicLab connected with residents and local organizations through a range of initiatives:
• Presented Resident Survey findings, open data dashboards, and other civic data insights at neighborhood meetings and civic league gatherings.
• Participated in Community Connect and the Neighborhood Expo to share resources and gather community input.
• Supported Neighbors Building Neighborhoods (NBN) Academy by teaching open data and civic technology.
• Consulted with neighboring cities, including Chesapeake and Newport News, on open data implementation.
OPEN DATA YEAR IN REVIEW
NORFOLK OPEN DATA NOW HAS
100 DATASETS!
NEW DATASETS ADDED IN 2025:
• Fire-Rescue Calls for Service
• Lead and Copper Rule Improvements Water Service Line Inventory
• Mosquito-borne Disease Testing
• Property Assessment and Sales FY26
• Storm Water Asset Inspections
• Street Light Outages
• Virginia Zoo Admissions
In 2025, Norfolk’s Open Data Portal reached a milestone with the release of its 100th dataset, providing residents, researchers, and City staff with a wide range of data across City departments. Since its launch in 2018, the Open Data team has led the publication of datasets, dashboards, and data stories covering topics such as public safety, business licenses, tide sensors, and resident surveys. The 100th dataset features Virginia Zoo admissions, giving the community insights into visitor trends by date, age group, and place of residence.
• Water Quality Test Results
NORFOLK OPEN DATA BY THE NUMBERS 2025
This milestone reflects the collaboration of 27 City departments and CivicLab’s ongoing efforts to make City data accessible and useful. Through the portal, residents can explore data, track City services, and engage with information that helps shape the community.
NEW DATA STORIES & OTHER RESOURCES ADDED IN 2025:
• 100 Datasets of the Norfolk Open Data Portal
• 2025 Hampton Roads Datathon Data Sources
• Lead Service Line Replacement Data Story
• Civic League Demographics Dashboard
• CIP Projects FY25 Dashboard
• Homeless Services Ecosystem
• Water Quality Data Story
• New to Open Data?
• About Open Data
NEW HOW-TO VIDEOS AVAILABLE!
CivicLab released a new series of how-to videos to help residents get the most out of the Open Data Portal. The tutorials walk users through key tasks such as finding datasets, navigating dataset pages, viewing data in multiple formats, searching and querying, sorting and filtering and exporting data. These resources make it easier for everyone to access, understand, and use City information.
CIVICLAB PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Throughout 2025, CivicLab supported City leadership and departments by providing data analysis, automation, visualization, and innovative solutions . The following are just a few examples of projects CivicLab completed and continues to support.
CIVIC LEAGUE DEMOGRAPHICS DASHBOARD
CivicLab launched the Civic League Demographics Dashboard in October 2025, available through the Open Data Portal. The dashboard provides demographic information for each civic league in Norfolk, including population, household characteristics, income, race, age, housing and educational attainment. Designed in response to growing requests from City departments and community organizations, the tool consolidates data in one accessible location to support analysis, grant applications and neighborhood-focused outreach.
The dashboard uses estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey and will be updated annually to reflect new data.
WATER QUALITY TEST RESULTS DASHBOARD
CivicLab launched a water quality test results dashboard that improves transparency and public understanding of the City’s drinking water.
The interactive dashboard presents EPA-required testing data alongside quarterly reports, allowing residents to explore results in a clear and visually engaging format. By providing detailed information about tested compounds, including their sources, uses and EPA health guidance, the tool helps residents understand what is in their water and how water quality is monitored.
LITTER OBJECT DETECTION MODEL
MYNORFOLK REQUEST TIME DASHBOARD
CivicLab developed a MyNorfolk service request time dashboard that helps City leadership better understand how resident service requests flow through City departments. By tracking request volume and completion times, the tool supports data-informed decisions about staffing, workload, and operational improvements. This work strengthens the City’s ability to respond more effectively to residents’ needs.
CivicLab partnered with Keep Norfolk Beautiful on a litter object detection project that uses computer vision to better understand where litter accumulates across the City. By mounting a GoPro on a City vehicle and capturing images along regular driving routes, CivicLab analyzed thousands of street-level photos using an AI model trained to detect litter and measure its density. The project provides data that helps target cleanup efforts, prioritize resources, and support more effective strategies to keep neighborhoods clean.
WORKFORCE ANALYSIS SUPPORT
FOR HUMAN RESOURCES (HR)
CivicLab serves as a key analytical resource supporting workforce planning and HR initiatives through advanced data analysis and dashboard development. Efforts include creating and maintaining Power BI solutions that provide insight into staffing patterns, retention, absenteeism impacts and telework practices. This work integrates multiple data sources, applies industry-standard metrics and leverages tools such as Python and SharePoint to improve automation and accuracy. These contributions support data-informed decision-making and help strengthen strategies for recruitment, retention and overall workforce management.
COLONIAL AVENUE ARCGIS STORY AND SURVEY
CivicLab developed the Colonial Avenue Pedestrian Improvement Survey to gather public input on proposed upgrades along a 12-block stretch of this multi-modal urban corridor. The publicly accessible survey featured detailed project information for each intersection using a storymap with a fly-through format.
LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT DATA STORY
CivicLab worked with Norfolk Utilities to create a data story that tracks progress on replacing lead and galvanized service lines. The interactive resource shows inventory maps, material verification data and daily updates on replacements. Residents can look up their address, report unknown service line materials and learn how to access free replacement services through the Open Data Portal. This tool improves transparency and helps the City meet federal goals ahead of schedule.
POLICE INCIDENT REPORT DASHBOARD AND COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERRUPTER SUPPORT
CivicLab developed the Police Incident Report dashboard using publicly available data from the Open Data Portal to support data-informed public safety decisions and transparency. The dashboard provides neighborhood-level mapping, trend analysis and time-of-day insights that help City teams better understand incident patterns and align resources effectively. This tool supports Norfolk’s Community 1ST initiative, which approaches public safety as a shared civic responsibility rooted in prevention and community engagement. In 2025, Community 1ST received first place in the Virginia Municipal League Innovation Awards for Local Government in the public safety category.
After exploring the informational section, residents were invited to share their opinions and provide feedback through the accompanying survey.
ADDITIONAL CIVICLAB PROJECTS
While this report highlights several major initiatives, CivicLab’s work in 2025 extended far beyond what can be fully captured here
The following projects represent additional analyses, tools, and advisory efforts delivered in partnership with City departments and community stakeholders throughout the year:
BUILDING A CITYWIDE DATA COMMUNITY
CivicLab leads several Citywide initiatives that strengthen data skills, governance, and collaboration across Team Norfolk.
DATA LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE (DLC)
CivicLab leads the DLC, a Citywide group of department heads who guide decisions on data creation, curation, and transparency. Members review and approve datasets for the Open Data Portal, promote data-informed decision-making, and help cultivate a data-centric culture across the City. The committee meets monthly to ensure leadership alignment and strategic oversight of the City’s data initiatives.
DATA CHAMPIONS
The Data Champions are City staff from across departments who serve as departmental “go-to” experts for data knowledge and best practices. They help maintain the Citywide data inventory, share insights on data projects and foster collaboration to improve transparency and efficiency. This network meets bi-monthly for training, skill development, and project showcases.
DATA CERTIFICATION PROGRAM (DCP)
The Norfolk DCP is a multi-year professional development initiative that certifies employees as data and innovation experts. Through modules in data foundations, analysis platforms, advanced analytics, and a capstone project which addresses a City challenge using advanced data skills, graduates join an elite network supporting data-informed decision-making across the City, with ongoing engagement and mentorship.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2026
Building on a successful 2025, CivicLab will continue advancing data consulting and AI across Norfolk in 2026. Key priorities include analyzing and visualizing the results of the 2026 Resident Survey to provide actionable insights for City leadership. CivicLab will lead the AI Steering Committee and develop tools such as chatbots, citizen feedback platforms, and computer vision models to improve service delivery and operational efficiency.
The team will also work with partners in the Department of Information Technology to roll out AI training for City staff to help make their jobs easier. Additionally, CivicLab will continue collaborating with divisions in the Department of Budget and Strategic Planning on budget, grants and evaluation work, expand the Open Data Portal with high-priority datasets and user-friendly dashboards and enhance data governance by formalizing policies and standards to ensure quality, accuracy ,and usability Citywide. CivicLab also looks forward to expanding its connections with local universities and hosting the Fifth Annual Hampton Roads Datathon in October 2026.
HOW TO CONTACT CIVICLAB
You can reach CivicLab by email at CivicLab@norfolk.gov.
We welcome invitations to present at Civic League meetings or City task forces and are eager to collaborate on projects that advance data-informed decision-making.
We also encourage you to share project ideas or suggest new datasets for inclusion in the Norfolk Open Data Portal.
