City Council Meeting Agendas

City Council Regular Meeting September 16, 2020 Regular Meeting of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, September 16, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. PRESENT Council Members - Linda T. Johnson, Mayor, presiding Leroy Bennett, Vice Mayor Michael D. Duman Roger W. Fawcett Donald Z. Goldberg Timothy J. Johnson Curtis R. Milteer, Sr. Lue R. Ward, Jr. Patrick G. Roberts, City Manager Helivi L. Holland, City Attorney Erika S. Dawley, City Clerk ABSENT None CALL TO ORDER/INVOCATION/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order. Mayor Johnson lead a moment of silence in memory of the late Public Works Assistant Director Carlos Ward and the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Goldberg, moved to approve the minutes from the June 17, 2020, Regular Meeting, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor L. Johnson, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Duman, Fawcett, Goldberg, T. Johnson, Milteer and Ward 8 NAYS: None 0 City Clerk Dawley noted that by virtue of the previous vote, all members of City Council were in attendance. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Special Presentation - COVID-19 Update Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Dr. Todd Wagner, Director, Western Tidewater Health District, provided information on the above referenced item. 1 City Council Regular Meeting September 16, 2020 Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett opined about the flu season. Dr. Wagner explained that this year’s flu coincides with the COVID-19 pandemic. He further encouraged residents to get vaccinated for the flu. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Goldberg asked for clarification on who should be tested. Dr. Wagner explained that those people who are symptomatic or have been in contact with someone who has the virus should be tested. Members of City Council opined about COVID-19. REMOVAL OF ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Mayor Johnson advised that a motion was in order at this time to adopt the agenda, as presented. Council Member Milteer, on a motion seconded by Vice Mayor Bennett, to adopt the agenda, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor L. Johnson, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Duman, Fawcett, Goldberg, T. Johnson, Milteer and Ward 8 NAYS: None 0 AGENDA SPEAKERS There were no speakers under this portion of the agenda. CONSENT AGENDA City Clerk Dawley presented the following Consent Agenda items: Consent Agenda Item #7 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate a 2020 Port Security Grant from the United States Department of Homeland Security for the Suffolk Police Department Consent Agenda Item #8 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the Obici Healthcare Foundation in support of the City of Suffolk’s COVID-19 response Consent Agenda Item #9 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Highway Safety Grant Program for the Suffolk Police Department Consent Agenda Item #10 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the Obici Healthcare Foundation in support of the Suffolk Economic Development Authority COVID-19 Small Business Grant Program Consent Agenda Item #11 - An ordinance to amend and re-ordain the adopted Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Fee Schedule for the City of Suffolk, Virginia to defer rate increases for metered and not metered water and sewer usage and meter service charges until January 1, 2021 Referring to Consent Agenda Items #7 through #11, City Manager Roberts submitted a review of the background information as printed in the official agenda. 2 City Council Regular Meeting September 16, 2020 Council Member Duman, on a motion seconded by Council Member Fawcett, moved to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor L. Johnson, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Duman, Fawcett, Goldberg, T. Johnson, Milteer and Ward 8 NAYS: None 0 PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no items under this portion of the agenda. ORDINANCES Ordinance – An ordinance to rezone and amend the official zoning map of the City of Suffolk in order to amend the previously approved proffered conditions of the Hallstead Reserve residential development for property located at 2575 and 2665 Pruden Boulevard, Zoning Map 25, Parcels 56 and 56B; RZN2020-006 (Conditional) Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Planning and Community Development Director David Hainley provided a synopsis on the background information as printed in the official agenda. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Duman, moved to approve the resolution, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor L. Johnson, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Duman, Fawcett, Goldberg, T. Johnson, Milteer and Ward 8 NAYS: None 0 AN ORDINANCE TO REZONE AND AMEND THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF SUFFOLK IN ORDER TO AMEND THE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED PROFFERED CONDITIONS OF THE HALLSTEAD RESERVE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 2575 AND 2665 PRUDEN BOULEVARD, ZONING MAP 25, PARCELS 56 AND 56B; RZN2020-006 (CONDITIONAL) RESOLUTIONS There were no items under this portion of the agenda. STAFF REPORTS Staff Report – Broadband Initiative Update Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Information Technology Director Ken Beam and Information Technology Assistant Director Regina Chandler gave a summation of the background information as printed in the official agenda. 3 City Council Regular Meeting September 16, 2020 Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson queried about the reasoning for selecting the Whaleyville Borough for Phase One of the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative funding. Information Technology Assistant Director Chandler explained that the grant totaled $19,000,000 statewide, so Spectrum determined that more homes could be served in Whaleyville in Phase One, and other areas could be served in later phases. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson called for information about the timeline for the expansion of broadband services into the Whaleyville Borough. Information Technology Assistant Director Chandler reported that the project is expected to take 22 months if the City is awarded the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative funding. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson asked when would the City be advised about the status of the application for the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative funding. Information Technology Assistant Director Chandler replied that the City should receive notification about the status of its application by late November. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Milteer inquired about the role that density plays in determining the best location to use funding from Phase One of the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative. Information Technology Assistant Director Chandler stated that Spectrum Communications determined that the Whaleyville Borough would be the best location to use funding from Phase One of the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative based on the existing infrastructure and the analysis based on census blocks. Referring to the presentation, Mayor Johnson sought clarification about the percentage that Spectrum Communications would allocate, should the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative grant receive approval. Information Technology Assistant Director Chandler advised that should the grant be approved, 80% of the funding would come from the State, Spectrum Communications would provide the remaining 20%, and the City would provide in-kind services. Referring to the presentation, Mayor Johnson called for clarification about the ownership of the expanded broadband infrastructure. Information Technology Assistant Director Chandler said that Spectrum Communications would own the expanded broadband infrastructure. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Milteer queried about the timeline for the installation of expanded broadband infrastructure, should the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative funding receive approval. Information Technology Assistant Director Chandler advised that, should the funding be approved, the installation of expanded broadband infrastructure would start in 2021 and be completed in 22 months. Vice Mayor Bennett opined about the ability to permit companies to co-locate their equipment on City communications towers. Information Technology Director Beam stated that the City did solicit bids, however, no respondents replied. Council Member Johnson asked if the expanded broadband infrastructure only extended to Kenyon Road. Information Technology Director Beam replied in the affirmative. 4 City Council Regular Meeting September 16, 2020 Council Member Johnson inquired about the availability of the extended broadband infrastructure to business in the area. Information Technology Director Beam replied that should businesses in the area wish to utilize the expanded broadband infrastructure, they would need to run a connection. Council Member Johnson opined about a long-term plan to connect the entire City to broadband. Information Technology Director Beam reported that the City is working on that, but that would depend on the willingness of a private service provider to offer services citywide. City Manager Roberts provided additional information regarding role of the Hampton Roads Regional Broadband Initiative to foster a regional connective ring and its impacts on participating cities. Council Member Ward sought information about the expansion of broadband services into the rural areas of the City, should the State fail to approve the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative funding request. Information Technology Assistant Director Chandler stated that in the event the funding request is not approved, the City Council would need to determine an alternative funding source to expand broadband into the rural areas of the City. Council Member Ward inquired about the number of students in the Whaleyville Borough. Information Technology Assistant Director Chandler replied that she did not have that information. Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, City Attorney Holland provided information about the City’s cable franchise agreement. Council Member Johnson queried about any policies that would require Spectrum Communications to expand services. City Attorney Holland said that she could ask the City’s consultant for franchise negotiations about that matter. Council Member Johnson opined about any previous franchise agreements that the City had as it relates to any of the responsibilities of the current franchise holder. Council Member Johnson called for clarification about the feasibility of utilizing Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funding for the expansion of broadband services into the rural areas of the City. City Attorney Holland explained that using those funds would not be feasible, because expenditure deadline is December 31, 2020. Mayor Johnson queried about the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funding received by Suffolk Public School for information technology needs. City Manager Roberts advised that Suffolk Public Schools has addressed their information technology needs with their allocation of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funding. 5 City Council Regular Meeting September 16, 2020 MOTIONS Motion – A motion to schedule a City Council Work Session, for Wednesday, October 7, 2020, at 4:00 p.m., unless cancelled Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Goldberg, moved to schedule a City Council Work Session, for Wednesday, October 7, 2020, at 4:00 p.m., unless cancelled, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor L. Johnson, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Duman, Fawcett, Goldberg, T. Johnson, Milteer and Ward 8 NAYS: None 0 NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS Kelly Hengler, 9345 Eclipse Drive, representing the Crittenden-Eclipse-Hobson Heritage Civic League, opined about residential development in her area. NEW BUSINESS There were no items under this portion of the agenda. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMENTS Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Media and Community Relations Assistant Director Timothy Kelley provided a report on the following: the City’s recognition of the passing for the late Public Works Assistant Director Carlos Ward; the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Department’s participation in the Automatic Aid Program with the Chesapeake Fire and Rescue Department; the application process for the Suffolk Economic Development Authority’s COVID-19 Small Business Assistance Grant Program; the design public meeting for the Pitchkettle Road Realignment Program; the Taste of Suffolk To Go event; and the release of the Suffolk Tourism’s free Cedar Hill Cemetary Interactive Brochure. Council Member Duman announced he attended a memorial at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts in recognition of the late Public Works Assistant Director Carlos Ward. Council Member Duman opined about the information presented at today’s Work Session regarding the bond refunding opportunities. Council Member Ward announced he attended a memorial at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts in recognition of the late Public Works Assistant Director Carlos Ward. Council Member Ward opined about the City’s affirmation of its AAA status by all three rating agencies. Council Member Johnson extended his condolences to the family of the late Public Works Assistant Director Carlos Ward. Council Member Johnson announced he went to the new restaurant, High Tide. 6 City Council Regular Meeting September 16, 2020 Council Member Milteer extended his condolences to the family of the late Public Works Assistant Director Carlos Ward. Council Member Milteer opined about the City’s affirmation of its AAA status by all three rating agencies. Council Member Fawcett extended his condolences to the family of the late Public Works Assistant Director Carlos Ward. Council Member Fawcett thanked the Obici Healthcare Foundation for their continued support. Council Member Fawcett reported he attended the announcement of the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Department’s participation in the Automatic Aid Program with the Chesapeake Fire and Rescue Department. Council Member Goldberg extended his condolences to the family of the late Public Works Assistant Director Carlos Ward. Council Member Goldberg opined about the information presented at today’s Work Session regarding the bond refunding opportunities. Vice Mayor Bennett announced he attended a memorial at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts in recognition of the late Public Works Assistant Director Carlos Ward. Vice Mayor Bennett extended his appreciation to the Suffolk Police Department for their assistance with a constituent issue. Vice Mayor Bennett opined about the announcement of the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Department’s participation in the Automatic Aid Program with the Chesapeake Fire and Rescue Department. Vice Mayor Bennett thanked City Administration for supplying information to the Lake Kennedy community about the Utility Bill Pandemic Relief Program. Mayor Johnson announced that she attended a fundraiser for ForKids. Mayor Johnson reported that she spoke with a representative from the Planning Council about possible funding for the Coalition Against Poverty in Suffolk. Mayor Johnson extended her condolences to the family of the late Public Works Assistant Director Carlos Ward. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Ward, moved to adjourn, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor L. Johnson, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Duman, Fawcett, Goldberg, T. Johnson, Milteer and Ward 8 NAYS: None 0 7 City Council Regular Meeting September 16, 2020 There being no further business to come before City Council, the regular meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Teste: ________________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk APPROVED: FEBRUARY 17, 2021 8