City Council Meeting Agendas

City Council Regular Meeting May 2, 2012 Regular Meeting of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber on Wednesday, May 2, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT Council Members - Linda T. Johnson, Mayor, presiding Charles F. Brown, Vice Mayor Robert C. Barclay IV Leroy Bennett Michael D. Duman Jeffrey L. Gardy Curtis R. Milteer, Sr. Charles D. Parr, Sr. Selena Cuffee-Glenn, City Manager Helivi L. Holland, City Attorney Tracey L. Sanford, Deputy City Clerk ABSENT None CALL TO ORDER/INVOCATION/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order, and Council Member Milteer provided the Invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT CERTIFICATION Deputy City Clerk Sanford presented a resolution certifying the Closed Meeting of May 2, 2012, pursuant to Section 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended. Council Member Milteer, on a motion seconded by Council Member Gardy, moved that the resolution be adopted, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Barclay, Bennett, Duman, Gardy, Milteer, Parr, Brown, and Johnson 8 NAYS: None 0 A RESOLUTION OF CERTIFICATION OF THE CLOSED MEETING OF MAY 2, 2012, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.2-3712 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA (1950), AS AMENDED 1 City Council Regular Meeting May 2, 2012 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Council Member Barclay, on a motion seconded by Council Member Duman, moved to approve the minutes from the April 18, 2012, Work Session and Regular Meeting, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Barclay, Bennett, Duman, Gardy, Milteer, Parr, Brown, and Johnson 8 NAYS: None 0 SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Special Presentation - Economic Development Activity Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Economic Development Director Kevin Hughes and Robert Harbour, Senior Vice President of Development, CenterPoint Properties, submitted information on the above referenced item. REMOVAL OF ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Mayor Johnson asked if any members of City Council wished to remove the items from the Consent Agenda for separate action. Hearing no requests for removal of the items, Mayor Johnson advised that a motion was in order at this time to adopt the agenda in its entirety. Council Member Gardy, on a motion seconded by Council Member Duman, moved to adopt the agenda, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Barclay, Bennett, Duman, Gardy, Milteer, Parr, Brown, and Johnson 8 NAYS: None 0 AGENDA SPEAKERS There were no speakers under this portion of the agenda. CONSENT AGENDA Deputy City Clerk Sanford presented the following Consent Agenda items: Consent Agenda Item #7 - AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT THE 2012-2013 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR THE CITY OF SUFFOLK COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM (CDBG) AND WESTERN TIDEWATER HOME CONSORTIUM HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP GRANT PROGRAM 2 City Council Regular Meeting May 2, 2012 Consent Agenda Item #8 - A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ESTABLISH CERTAIN CONGESTION MITIGATION AND AIR QUALITY PROJECTS AS URBAN HIGHWAY PROJECTS Consent Agenda Item #9 - A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF SUFFOLK AND THE HAMPTON ROADS SANITATION DISTRICT THAT PROVIDES FOR A COST SHARE IN THE RELOCATION OF HAMPTON ROADS SANITATION DISTRICT FACILITIES FOR THE NANSEMOND PARKWAY/SHOULDERS HILL ROAD INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT Council Member Gardy called for a review of Consent Agenda Item #8 - a resolution requesting that the Virginia Department of Transportation establish certain Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Projects as Urban Highway Projects. Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation and referring to Consent Agenda Item #8, Public Works Director Eric Nielsen provided a summary of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Council Member Barclay, on a motion seconded by Council Member Gardy, moved to approve Consent Agenda, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Barclay, Bennett, Duman, Gardy, Milteer, Parr, Brown, and Johnson 8 NAYS: None 0 PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no items under this portion of the agenda. ORDINANCES Ordinance - Adoption of the proposed Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2012-2013 and related ordinances Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Budget Officer Anne Seward offered a summary of the background information as printed in the official agenda Council Member Parr, on a motion seconded by Vice Mayor Brown, moved to approve the ordinances, as presented. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Barclay called for an explanation about the implementation of one-third of the Classification and Compensation Plan and process of disseminating the information about the change to City employees. Budget Officer Seward explained that the Human Resources Department will perform extensive education meetings for City employees on the Classification and Compensation Plan and the new Virginia Retirement System employee contribution requirements. 3 City Council Regular Meeting May 2, 2012 Referring to the presentation, Vice Mayor Brown sought information about the purpose of the Classification and Compensation Plan. Human Resources Director Ronnie Charles advised that the purpose of the plan was to determine the competitiveness of the City’s pay ranges, and the study resulted in the establishment of competitive ranges for the positions, reporting of accurate position descriptions, ensuring compliance with Fair Labor Standards Act, and addressing compression issues. He added that the first part of the plan will be implemented effective January 1, 2013, and the other two phases will be implemented at dates to be determined. Referring to the presentation, Mayor Johnson queried whether the Classification and Compensation Plan creates fairness in the marketplace. Human Resources Director Charles stated that the plan created internal and external fairness, because it also factors in the employee’s time in the position. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Parr inquired about the requirement of new City employees to contribute towards their Virginia Retirement System accounts. Human Resources Director Charles indicated that all City employees hired after July 1, 2012, will be required to pay their full Virginia Retirement System contribution themselves. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Parr asked if Suffolk Public School employees would be included in the City’s provision of a one percent Virginia Retirement System employee contribution shift from payment by the City on behalf of the employee to the employee with a corresponding one percent increase in salary effective July 1, 2012. Human Resources Director Charles replied that Suffolk Public School employees will not receive this one percent increase from the City as they are not under the City’s purview. Council Member Parr, on a motion seconded by Vice Mayor Brown, moved to approve the ordinances, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Barclay, Bennett, Duman, Gardy, Milteer, Parr, Brown, and Johnson 8 NAYS: None 0 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE CITY BUDGET AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR EXPENDITURES CONTEMPLATED DURING THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2012, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2013, AND REGULATING THE PAYMENT OF MONEY OUT OF THE CITY TREASURY – AS AMENDED AN ORDINANCE LEVYING REAL PROPERTY TAXES FOR THE TAX YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2012, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2013 AN ORDINANCE TO LEVY TAXES ON ALL TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY NOT EITHER EXEMPT FROM TAXATION OR OTHERWISE TAXED FOR THE 2012 AND 2013 TAX YEARS AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A FEE SCHEDULE FOR THE CITY OF SUFFOLK AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 66-279 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF SUFFOLK TO REDUCE THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF YEARS OF SERVICE FOR RETIREE HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS 4 City Council Regular Meeting May 2, 2012 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING NEW POSITIONS AND REVISED JOB DESCRIPTIONS REGARDING THE FY 2012-2013 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET AND THE CITY’S FY 2012-2013 CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION PLAN AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR A COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT OF 2% AND A 1% SHIFT IN THE VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEM EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTION RATE TO THE EMPLOYEES WITH A RESPECTIVE 1% SALARY INCREASE AN ORDINANCE TO IMPLEMENT THE COMPENSATION AND CLASSIFICATION STUDY RECOMMENDATIONS IN THREE PHASES Ordinance - An ordinance to appropriate excess General Fund Revenues received during the Fiscal Year 2011-2012 to the School Operating Fund for the City of Suffolk Utilizing a Power Point presentation, Budget Officer Seward provided a review of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Parr solicited information about any savings in life insurance costs with the new legislation requirements by the State as it relates to the Virginia Retirement System employee contribution shift. Budget Officer Seward indicated that she was not aware and she would defer to staff from Suffolk Public Schools. Dr. Deran Whitney, Superintendent, Suffolk Public Schools, introduced Wendy Forsman, Finance Director, and asked her to address this question. Ms. Forsman indicated that the specifics of matter will be addressed by Dr. Whitney with the School Board at next week’s meeting; however, it is an anticipated that there will be a reduction with in costs associated with employee life insurance expenditures. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Parr asked about the amount of anticipated savings in life insurance cost as a result of the new legislation requirements by the State regarding the Virginia Retirement System employee contribution shift. Ms. Forsman said that she was not aware of the specific amount. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Parr opined about the proposed ordinance, specifically that the additional $2,000,000 in funding is one-time money Dr. Whitney affirmed that it was the understanding of Suffolk Public Schools that the funding in the proposed ordinance is being appropriated as one-time capital. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Milteer requested clarification about the overall amount the City is providing Suffolk Public Schools for Fiscal Year 2012-2013. Budget Officer Seward stated that the $2,000,000 appropriation in the ordinance under consideration is part of an additional $5,000,000 in local funding from the City for the upcoming fiscal year. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Parr sought affirmation that the funding in the proposed ordinance is one-time monies. Budget Officer Seward replied in the affirmative. 5 City Council Regular Meeting May 2, 2012 Council Member Barclay, on a motion seconded by Council Member Gardy, moved to approve the ordinance, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Barclay, Bennett, Duman, Gardy, Milteer, Parr, Brown, and Johnson 8 NAYS: None 0 AN ORDINANCE TO ACCEPT AND APPROPRIATE EXCESS GENERAL FUND REVENUE RECEIPTS RECEIVED DURING THE FISCAL YEAR 2011-2012 AND TO DESIGNATE FUNDING FOR FY 12-13 SCHOOL OPERATING PURPOSES FOR THE CITY OF SUFFOLK Ordinance - An ordinance granting Conditional Use Permit Request C21-11, submitted by Dave France, PE of Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. on behalf of Suffolk Public Schools, applicant, and on behalf of Marion and Lydia Harrell, property owners, to permit a public elementary school, in accordance with Sections 31-306 and 31-406 of the Unified Development Ordinance (This item was continued from the April 18, 2012, City Council meeting.) Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Planning and Community Development Director D. Scott Mills offered a summary of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Dr. Whitney announced that Suffolk Public Schools has signed a purchase contract for the parcel under consideration Council Member Gardy, on a motion seconded by Council Member Barclay, moved to approve the ordinance, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Barclay, Bennett, Duman, Gardy, Milteer, Parr, Brown, and Johnson 8 NAYS: None 0 RESOLUTIONS There were no items under this portion of the agenda. STAFF REPORTS Mayor Johnson advised that City Attorney Holland had a presentation about the City’s redistricting process. Referring to the distributed handout, City Attorney Holland submitted information on redistricting, specifically a notice received from the United States Department of Justice regarding a third 60-day review period of the City’s redistricting plan. 6 City Council Regular Meeting May 2, 2012 MOTIONS Motion - A motion to schedule a Work Session for May 16, 2012, at 4:00 p.m., unless canceled or called earlier by the Mayor Council Member Parr, on motion seconded by Council Member Gardy, moved to schedule a Work Session for May 16, 2012, at 4:00 p.m., unless canceled or called earlier by the Mayor, by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Barclay, Bennett, Duman, Gardy, Parr, Brown, and Johnson 7 NAYS: None 0 (Council Member Milteer was out of the chamber at the time of the vote.) NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS Andrew Damiani, 701 Dumville Avenue, representing self, opined about the future replacement of Morgan Memorial Library and submitted a petition for support thereof. Kermit Kelly, 505 Melrose Court, representing self, opined about the future of the Morgan Memorial Library. Christopher Dove, 852 Colonel Meade Drive, opined about the Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2012-2013 process and the costs associated with fulfilling a Freedom of Information Act request. Paul Gillis, 2536 Woodland Trail, representing self, opined about the Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2012-2013 and the redistricting process. Leroy Schmidt, 5140 North Harbor Road, representing self, opined about the costs associated with fulfilling a Freedom of Information Act request and the Classification and Compensation Plan. NEW BUSINESS Mayor Johnson asked Deputy City Clerk Sanford if there were any New Business items for consideration. Deputy City Clerk Sanford presented the following nominations for consideration: Southeastern Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program – Sabrina High and the Western Tidewater Water Authority (alternate) – Helivi Holland. Council Member Parr, on a motion seconded by Council Member Gardy, moved to nominate and appoint the aforementioned individuals to the respective bodies, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Council Members Barclay, Bennett, Duman, Gardy, Milteer, Parr, Brown, and Johnson 8 NAYS: None 0 7 City Council Regular Meeting May 2, 2012 Mayor Johnson called for an explanation regarding the Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2012-2013 process as it relates to the availability of proposed ordinances. Budget Officer Seward reported that the proposed budget as initially presented was available at various City locations and on the City’s website, and after City Council made recommendations for amendments, the documents were then presented tonight for consideration. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMENTS Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Interim Media and Community Relations Manager Timothy Kelley reported on the following activities: the kickoff of the Summer Burn Ban; the Downtown Spring Block Party; the Suffolk Humane Society and Suffolk Animal Control Adopt-a-Thon; the observance of National Drinking Water Week; the observance of Public Service Recognition Week; the State of the City; and the Shake, Rattle and Roll Spring Car Show. Council Member Duman congratulated Caroline Martin on receiving the First Citizen Award from the Suffolk and North Suffolk Rotary Clubs and the 2011 Eagle Scouts and Congressman J. Randy Forbes on being recognized by the Boy Scouts of America Colonial Virginia Council. Council Member Duman announced he attended Suffolk Public Schools Key Communicators meeting. Council Member Barclay congratulated Caroline Martin on receiving the First Citizen Award from the Suffolk and North Suffolk Rotary Clubs and the 2011 Eagle Scouts and Congressman J. Randy Forbes on being recognized by the Boy Scouts of America Colonial Virginia Council. Council Member Gardy opined about the City’s newest facilities, including the new elementary school that will be built in the southern part of the City. Council Member Parr announced he attended the Suffolk Public School Key Communicators meeting. Council Member Milteer congratulated Caroline Martin on receiving the First Citizen Award from the Suffolk and North Suffolk Rotary Clubs. Council Member Milteer reported on debris in need of removal on Raleigh Avenue. Council Member Bennett opined about the Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2012-2013 process, specifically funding for outside organizations and citizen participation in the process. Council Member Bennett asked Public Works Director Nielsen to meet with him to discuss residents’ concerns in Driver and Pughsville. Council Member Bennett advised that mosquito briquettes are available in area fire stations. Council Member Bennett thanked City Assessor Jean Jackson for attending an area homeowner’s association meeting. Council Member Bennett reported on a speeding issue in Mansfield Farms. 8 City Council Regular Meeting May 2, 2012 City Manager Cuffee-Glenn asked Budget Officer Seward to provide information on the process for non-profit organizations to seek City funding. Budget Officer Seward explained that with the reductions in state and federal funding, the City has had to re-examine all non-profit allocations. She concluded that all organizations have seen reductions in their City funding due declining City revenues. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Parr called for clarification about the reduction in federal funding for non-profit organizations. City Manager Cuffee-Glenn said that the reductions were in the City’s Community Development Block Grant allocation from the federal government. Vice Mayor Brown sought clarification about the use of population as a factor in the preparation of the Classification and Compensation Plan. Human Resources Director Charles explained that while a locality’s population is one factor in preparing any plan of this type to solely make compensation comparisons solely on population would be a narrow view. Vice Mayor Brown announced the upcoming State of the City. Vice Mayor Brown queried about the feasibility of publishing an Economic Development Report for distribution to all City residents. Mayor Johnson announced the National Day of Prayer Breakfast. Mayor Johnson announced the upcoming State of the City. Mayor Johnson advised she attended a ribbon cutting for The COVE, a new, state-of-the-art, 24-hour emergency and specialty veterinary hospital in North Suffolk. ADJOURNMENT Council Member Milteer, on a motion seconded by Council Member Duman, moved to adjourn, by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Barclay, Bennett, Duman, Gardy, Milteer, Parr, Brown, and Johnson 8 NAYS: None 0 There being no further business to come before City Council, the regular meeting was adjourned at 9:28 p.m. Teste: ________________________________________________ Tracey L. Sanford, Deputy City Clerk Approved: ____________________________________________ Linda T. Johnson, Mayor APPROVED: MAY 16, 2012 9