City Council Meeting Agendas

City Council Regular Meeting July 1, 2009 Regular Meeting of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber on Wednesday, July 1, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT Council Members – Linda T. Johnson, Mayor, presiding Curtis R. Milteer, Sr., Vice Mayor Robert C. Barclay IV Joseph H. Barlow Leroy Bennett Charles F. Brown Jeffrey L. Gardy Charles D. Parr, Sr. Selena Cuffee-Glenn, City Manager Helivi O. Holland, Deputy City Attorney Erika S. Dawley, City Clerk ABSENT None CALL TO ORDER/INVOCATION/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order, and Council Member Bennett provided the Invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT CERTIFICATION City Clerk Dawley presented a resolution certifying the Closed Meeting of July 1, 2009, pursuant to Section 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended. Vice Mayor Milteer, on a motion seconded by Council Member Gardy, moved that the resolution be adopted, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Council Members Barclay, Barlow, Bennett, Brown, Gardy, Parr, Milteer and Johnson 8 NAYS: None 0 A RESOLUTION OF CERTIFICATION OF THE CLOSED MEETING OF JULY 1, 2009, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.2-3712 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA (1950), AS AMENDED 1 City Council Regular Meeting July 1, 2009 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Council Member Gardy, on a motion seconded by Council Member Bennett, moved to approve the minutes from the May 6, 2009, Work Session and Regular Meeting, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Council Members Barclay, Barlow, Bennett, Brown, Gardy, Parr, Milteer and Johnson 8 NAYS: None 0 SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Suffolk Summer Work Success Program Chief of Staff Sherry Hunt introduced Jennifer Branham, the Summer Success Program Coordinator, and Christina Riddick, Summer Works Success Program Coordinator. Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Chief of Staff Hunt gave an overview of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Mayor Johnson announced that members of the Sister Cities Suffolk-to-Suffolk Student Musical Exchange Program were in attendance and if it was the pleasure of City Council, the group wished to provide a report on its upcoming trip to Suffolk, England. By unanimous consent, City Council approved the request to amend the agenda to permit the aforementioned presentation. Mary Ann Persons introduced the participants in the Sister Cities Commission Suffolk-to-Suffolk Student Musical Exchange Program who would travel to Suffolk, England. The participants in the upcoming trip offered a review of their plans. REMOVAL OF ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Mayor Johnson asked if any members of City Council wished to remove any items from the Consent Agenda for separate action. Council Member Gardy sought an overview of Consent Agenda Item #8 – an ordinance to amend Section 82-741 of the City Code providing for a courthouse maintenance fee. Mayor Johnson said that an explanation of the aforementioned item would be addressed at the time the Consent Agenda is presented for consideration. Hearing no requests to remove any items for a separate action, Mayor Johnson advised that a motion was in order to adopt the agenda in its entirety. Council Member Parr, on a motion seconded by Council Member Bennett, adopt the agenda in its entirety, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Council Members Barclay, Barlow, Bennett, Brown, Gardy, Parr, Milteer and Johnson 8 NAYS: None 0 2 City Council Regular Meeting July 1, 2009 AGENDA SPEAKERS There were no individuals registered to speak under this portion of the agenda. CONSENT AGENDA City Clerk Dawley presented the following Consent Agenda items for City Council’s consideration: Consent Agenda Item #7 - A RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT AND APPROPRIATE AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT FUNDS FROM OPPORTUNITY INCORPORATED OF HAMPTON ROADS FOR THE CITY OF SUFFOLK’S 2009 SUMMER YOUTH WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM Consent Agenda Item #8 - AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 82-741 OF THE CITY CODE PROVIDING FOR A COURTHOUSE MAINTENANCE FEE Referring to Consent Agenda Item #8, Clerk of the Circuit Court W. Randolph Carter outlined the background information as printed in the official agenda. Referring to Consent Agenda Item #8, Council Member Barclay queried about the number of civil suits that are filed annually. Clerk of the Circuit Court Carter reported that 2,000 civil cases are filed annually in Circuit Court. He added that civil cases are also filed in General District Court and Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court but, he could not speak to the numbers. Referring to Consent Agenda Item #8, Council Member Barclay inquired about the estimated amount of revenue that would be generated by the proposed ordinance. Clerk of the Circuit Court Carter indicated that he was not aware of the estimated amount of revenue that would be generated by the proposed ordinance. Council Member Gardy, on a motion seconded by Council Member Brown, moved to approve the above listed Consent Agenda items, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Council Members Barclay, Barlow, Bennett, Brown, Gardy, Parr, Milteer and Johnson 8 NAYS: None 0 PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no items under this potion of the agenda. 3 City Council Regular Meeting July 1, 2009 ORDINANCES Ordinance - An ordinance to reorganize the Clean Community Commission, the Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, the Substance Abuse and Youth Council, and the Welfare Advisory Board; and to abolish the Roadway Maintenance Advisory Commission Mayor Johnson announced that the aforementioned ordinance required additional amendments and that a motion to continue consideration of the item would be needed. Deputy City Attorney Holland explained that the amendments would include changes to the size of the Historic Landmarks Commission and the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority in order to reflect the reorganization of the City Council to include a directly elected at-large Mayor. Council Member Parr, on a motion seconded by Council Member Gardy, moved to amend the aforementioned ordinance to include the Historic Landmarks Commission and the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority and continue consideration of the ordinance to the July 15, 2009, City meeting, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Council Members Barclay, Barlow, Bennett, Brown, Gardy, Parr, Milteer and Johnson 8 NAYS: None 0 RESOLUTIONS There were no items under this potion of the agenda. STAFF REPORTS Staff Report - Community Development Block Grant Recovery Stimulus Funds Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Planning and Community Development Director D. Scott Mills supplied a synopsis of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Council Member Parr, on a motion seconded by Council Member Gardy, moved to transfer $50,000 from the Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Operating and Capital Budget to fund the East Suffolk Recreation Center Playground and utilize $50,000 in Community Development Block Grant Recovery funds previously slated for the playground project for the South Suffolk Neighborhood (Raleigh Avenue) Drainage Improvement Project. Referring to the presentation, Vice Mayor Milteer opined about the ineligibility of the playgrounds for the Community Development Block Grant Recovery funds. Planning and Community Development Director Mills confirmed the project is not allowed according to program guidelines. Referring to the presentation, Vice Mayor Milteer called for an explanation of the proposed motion. Planning and Community Development Director Mills stated that the proposed motion would transfer from the $50,000 from the Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Operating and Capital Budget to fund the East Suffolk Recreation Center Playground and utilize $50,000 in Community Development Block Grant Recovery funds which was previously scheduled for the playground project for the South Suffolk Neighborhood (Raleigh Avenue) Drainage Improvement Project instead. 4 City Council Regular Meeting July 1, 2009 Council Member Parr, on a motion seconded by Council Member Gardy, moved to transfer $50,000 from the Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Operating and Capital Budget to fund the East Suffolk Recreation Center Playground and utilize $50,000 in Community Development Block Grant Recovery funds previously slated for the playground project for the South Suffolk Neighborhood (Raleigh Avenue) Drainage Improvement Project, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Council Members Barclay, Barlow, Bennett, Brown, Gardy, Parr, Milteer and Johnson 8 NAYS: None 0 MOTIONS Motion - A motion to schedule a Work Session for July 15, 2009, at 4:00 p.m., unless canceled or called earlier by the Mayor Council Member Gardy, on motion seconded by Council Member Parr, moved to schedule a Work Session on July 15, 2009, at 4:00 p.m., unless canceled or called earlier by the Mayor, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Council Members Barclay, Barlow, Bennett, Brown, Gardy, Parr, Milteer and Johnson 8 NAYS: None 0 NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS George “Chip” Slavin, Jr., Past President, Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads Board of Directors, offered a recap of the Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads Builders Blitz in Huntersville. Helen Sommer, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads, 900 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk, Virginia, gave a summary of the Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads Builders Blitz in Huntersville. Deidre Sawyer, 5015 Huntersville Place, representing self, expressed her appreciation to the City for its contributions to the Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads Builders Blitz in Huntersville. NEW BUSINESS Mayor Johnson asked City Clerk Dawley if there were any New Business items for consideration. City Clerk Dawley advised that the following names have been submitted for consideration for boards and commissions appointments: Advisory Commission for Persons with Disabilities – Barbara Sumpter; Airport Commission - Ralph L. Howell, Jr; Economic Development Authority of the City of Suffolk – Michael Duman; Fine Arts Commission - Linda Gerek; Library Board - Carolyn White; Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission - Henry Buck, Jr. and Calvin Frazier; Sister Cities - Susan Blair and Sharlene Carroll; and Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners – Regina Hall. 5 City Council Regular Meeting July 1, 2009 Vice Mayor Milteer, on a motion seconded by Council Member Parr, moved to nominate and appoint the aforementioned individuals to the boards and commissions as outlined above, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Council Members Barclay, Barlow, Bennett, Brown, Gardy, Parr, Milteer and Johnson 8 NAYS: None 0 ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMENTS FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS Council Member Parr expressed his appreciation to Fire Chief Mark Outlaw and Police Chief Thomas Bennett and their departments for their efforts in addressing a recent house fire on Franklin Street. Council Member Parr commended City Manager Cuffee-Glenn for the process used to determine the funding of non-governmental agencies. Council Member Parr asked City Manager Cuffee-Glenn to work with City Attorney Roettger to explore the feasibility of increased enforcement of violations as they relate to dilapidated structures. Council Member Parr announced the upcoming Independence Day Celebration at Constant’s Wharf Park and Marina. Council Member Gardy opined about the participation of the members of the Clean Community Commission in a recent Chesapeake Bay Foundation Clean Up and the Foundation’s next event. Council Member Brown thanked Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads and other cooperating agencies which participated in the Builders Blitz in Huntersville. Council Member Brown asked City Manager Cuffee-Glenn for a report regarding the revenues generated by Peanut Fest. Council Member Barclay advised a brochure is available to residents outlining the new bulk refuse fee and related matters. He also recommended that this information be made available to residents in their next real estate tax bill. Council Member Barlow reported on the recent ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Health and Human Services Building. Council Member Barlow summarized his attendance at the Access College Foundation Luncheon. Council Member Bennett opined about the opportunity for Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads to build additional houses in the City. Council Member Bennett commended the participants in the Suffolk Summer Work Success Program. Council Member Bennett welcomed Police Chief Thomas Bennett, who recently joined the City. Council Member Bennett announced that he is planning to attend a policy committee meeting sponsored by the Virginia Municipal League Policy Committee. 6 City Council Regular Meeting July 1, 2009 Vice Mayor Milteer expressed his appreciation to the Public Works Department for repairs on Pleasant Street. Vice Mayor Milteer reported high grass around the former Whaleyville Bank Building. Mayor Johnson commended the participants in the Suffolk Summer Work Success Program and Sister Cities Suffolk-to-Suffolk Student Musical Exchange Program. Mayor Johnson thanked Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads for their participation in the Builders Blitz in Huntersville. Mayor Johnson expressed her appreciation to the members of the Fire Department and the Police Department for their efforts in addressing a recent house fire on Franklin Street. Mayor Johnson complimented City Administration for its continued commitment to obtaining federal stimulus funding. ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Media and Community Relations Director Debbie George announced the following events: Independence Days closings; the Parks and Recreation Department’s Stars and Stripes Spectacular; a public meeting about water quality in the Nansemond River; the new Police Administration Building Ribbon Cutting Ceremony; the National Night Out Celebration and the availability of the new bulk refuse brochure on the City’s web site. ADJOURNMENT Council Member Parr, on a motion seconded by Vice Mayor Milteer, moved to adjourn, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Council Members Barclay, Barlow, Bennett, Brown, Gardy, Parr, Milteer and Johnson 8 NAYS: None 0 There being no further business to come before City Council, the regular meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Teste: ________________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, CMC, City Clerk Approved: ____________________________________________ Linda T. Johnson, Mayor APPROVED: AUGUST 19, 2009 7