City Council Meeting Agendas

City Council Regular Meeting November 18, 2020 Regular Meeting of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, November 18, 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. Albert S. Moor, Interim 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. Council Member Milteer offered the Invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance. City Clerk Dawley called the roll, and all members of City Council were in attendance. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Goldberg, moved to approve the minutes from the August 5, 2020, Regular Meeting, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor L. Johnson, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Duman, Goldberg, Fawcett, T. Johnson, Milteer and Ward 8 NAYS: None 0 SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Special Presentation - COVID-19 Update Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Dr. Todd Wagner, Director, Western Tidewater Health District, gave a summation of the above referenced item. He also introduced Dr. Lauren James, who will be the Interim Director of the Western Tidewater Health District, upon his departure. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Goldberg queried about district’s ability to maintain the required temperature of the coronavirus vaccines, as they have specific cold storage requirements. Dr. Wagner stated that the district has the equipment needed to meet the vaccines specific cold storage requirements. 1 City Council Regular Meeting November 18, 2020 Referring to the presentation, Council Member Goldberg sought information about the number of coronavirous vaccine doses that will be required. Dr. Wagner said two doses of the MRNA coronavirus vaccines will be required, and each dose must be 21 to 28 days apart. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett inquired about the methodology that will be used to disseminate the coronavirus vaccine. Dr. Wagner advised, typically, the initial vaccinations will be targeted towards residents in congregative care facilities and individuals who are 65 years old and older. He added that first line health care workers, and first responders will also be prioritized for the initial vaccines. Council Member Fawcett opined about the transport of the coronavirus vaccines, as it relates to maintaining the specific cold storage requirements. Dr. Wagner reported that the vaccinations will have to be brought up to room temperature before use. Special Presentation - 2020 Holiday Update Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Tourism Development Manager Theresa Earles supplied a summary of the above referenced item. 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 Duman, on a motion seconded by Council Member Ward, to adopt the agenda, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor L. Johnson, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Duman, Goldberg, Fawcett, 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 funds from the Commonwealth of Virginia Technology Trust Fund Consent Agenda Item #8 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Animal Friendly License Plate Program for Animal Shelter Services Consent Agenda Item #9 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the Women’s Impact Fund of the Suffolk Foundation for the Suffolk Public Library 2 City Council Regular Meeting November 18, 2020 Consent Agenda Item #10 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the Obici Healthcare Foundation for the Suffolk Public Library’s COVID-19 response Referring to Consent Agenda Items #7 through #10, Interim City Manager Moor submitted a review of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Goldberg, 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, Goldberg, Fawcett, T. Johnson, Milteer and Ward 8 NAYS: None 0 PUBLIC HEARINGS Public Hearing – An ordinance authorizing the acquisition of real property in fee simple and/or permanent and temporary easements, either by agreement or condemnation, for the Crittenden Road and Route 17 Intersection Realignment Project Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Public Works Director Louis Hansen outlined the background information as printed in the official agenda. Jeffrey Elmore, 2012 Fairway Drive, President, Cedar Point Homeowners Association, spoke in support of the proposed ordinance, as presented. Pat Merica, 9300 Eclipse Drive, representing self, opined about the potential environmental impact of the project. The following individuals spoke in support of the proposed ordinance, as presented: Elizabeth Taraski, 1512 Sleepy Lake Parkway, representing self. John Newhard, 9040 River Crescent, representing self. Thomas Westfall, 8759 Adams Drives, representing self. Kelly Hengler, 9345 Eclipse Drive, representing self, opined about the proposed ordinance, as presented. Hearing no additional speakers, the public hearing was closed. Council Member Duman, on a motion seconded by Council Member Fawcett, moved to approve the ordinance, 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 3 City Council Regular Meeting November 18, 2020 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY IN FEE SIMPLE AND/OR PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY EASEMENTS, EITHER BY AGREEMENT OR CONDEMNATION, FOR THE CRITTENDEN ROAD AND ROUTE 17 INTERSECTION REALIGNMENT PROJECT Public Hearing – An ordinance to grant a Conditional Use Permit to establish a helipad on property located at 7250 Harbour Towne Parkway, Zoning Map 6, Parcel 3A*2C*4, Account Number 306002947; CUP2020-016 Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Planning and Community Development Director David Hainley gave an overview of the background information as printed in the official agenda. J. Randall Royal, 4525 Main Street, Suite 1000, Virginia Beach, Virginia, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Incorporated, applicant, representing Dan McCarthy, Vice President, Bon Secours Mercy Health, property owner, spoke in support of the proposed ordinance, with conditions, as presented. Hearing no additional speakers, the public hearing was closed. Council Member Goldberg, on a motion seconded by Council Member Ward, moved to approve the ordinance, with conditions, 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 Hearing – An ordinance to grant a Conditional Use Permit to establish a place of worship, small, under 6,000 square feet in main sanctuary, on property located at 3219 Bridge Road, Zoning Map 12, Parcel 12J, Account Number 304455100; CUP2020-017 Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Planning and Community Development Director Hainley offered a synopsis of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Lorenzo Mallory, Sr., 1213 Crescent Drive, Smithfield, Virginia, Greater Dimensions Kingdom Ministries, applicant, representing S. Chris Jones, BCP, LLC, property owner, spoke in support of the proposed ordinance, with conditions, as presented. Hearing no additional speakers, the public hearing was closed. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Vice Mayor Bennett, moved to approve the ordinance, with conditions, 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 GRANT A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ESTABLISH A PLACE OF WORSHIP, SMALL, UNDER 6,000 SQUARE FEET IN MAIN SANCTUARY, ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3219 BRIDGE ROAD, ZONING MAP 12, PARCEL 12J, ACCOUNT NUMBER 304455100; CUP2020-017 4 City Council Regular Meeting November 18, 2020 ORDINANCES There were no items under this portion of the agenda. RESOLUTIONS There were no items under this portion of the agenda. STAFF REPORTS Staff Report – 2021 Legislative Agenda Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Robert Catron, Managing Partner, Alcalde and Fay, Virginia, LLC, the City’s legislative consultant, gave an overview on the above referenced item. Council Member Johnson called for the inclusion of a request for State funding for improvements to Route 58 in the proposed legislative agenda. Mr. Catron replied that a request for a study could be included. Mayor Johnson said that it would be prudent to discuss this matter with Kevin Page, Executive Director, Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission. Members of City Council opined about the proposed legislative agenda. Council Member Fawcett queried about any State funding in the pipeline for improvements to Route 58. Public Works Director Hansen advised that the Virginia Department of Transportation did a corridor analysis and made recommendations. He added that City submitted SmartScale application to the Virginia Department of Transportation for Route 58. Council Member Ward inquired about the status of funding for improvements to Route 17 and Interstate 664. Mayor Johnson advised that the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission has almost completed the Interstate 664 Improvement Project study. Public Works Director Hansen confirmed that the study on the Bowers Hill Improvement Project is almost completed and has been expanded up to Route 17. Council Member Duman sought information about the status of the SmartScale applications for Route 17 or Route 58. Public Works Director Hansen indicated that the City would not receive the results of the applications until January 2021. Mayor Johnson called for clarification about the current funding for the Route 58 Improvement Project. Public Works Director Hansen stated that three miles of the project has been funded by the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission. Council Member Duman opined about the possible approval of the City’s SmartScale application for improvements to Route 17. Public Works Director Hansen replied that since improvements to Route 17 would have regional implications, the application has a better chance of being approved. Members of City Council opined about proposed legislative agenda. Interim City Manager Moor said that City staff would amend the proposed legislative agenda to include language regarding requests for additional funding for various transportation projects. 5 City Council Regular Meeting November 18, 2020 MOTIONS Motion – A motion to schedule a City Council Work Session, for Wednesday, December 2, 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, December 2, 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 There were no speakers under this portion of the agenda. NEW BUSINESS Vice Mayor Bennett asked for an update from Human Resources Director Robin Wynn about the status report on the application process for the City Assessor’s position. Human Resources Director Wynn advised City Council that her department could schedule video interviews or in person interviews for all of the qualified candidates. Mayor Johnson called for an overview of the timeline for sending the invitations to the candidates for potential interviews. Human Resources Director recommended that she would like to have the interviews scheduled by Friday, November 20th in order to prepare the interview questions over the Thanksgiving holiday. Vice Mayor Bennett sought information about the options to conduct interviews of the candidates under consideration for the City Assessor. City Attorney Holland explained that if all members of City Council will watch the video responses to the interview questions at one time, then a Closed Meeting would be permitted. She added that the other option would be for each Council Member to watch the video responses individually, which would be more complicated. Members of City Council opined about the options regarding the interview process for the City Assessor. Mayor Johnson queried about the deadline for applicants to complete and submit their responses to the interview questions via video. Human Resource Director Wynn advised that applicants would be required to submit their videos by November 30, 2020. Vice Mayor Bennett moved to schedule a Special City Council meeting for November 30, 2020, 5:00 p.m. for the purpose of interviewing potential candidates for the City Assessor position via video. The motion failed to receive a second. City Council discussed the feasiblity of scheduling the meeting earlier in the day. 6 City Council Regular Meeting November 18, 2020 Council Member Goldberg, on a motion seconded by Council Member Ward, moved to schedule a Special City Council meeting for November 30, 2020, 1:00 p.m. for the purpose of interviewing potential candidates for the City Assessor position via video, 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 ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMENTS Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Media and Community Relations Director Diana Klink provided a report on the following: the City’s Virtual Grand Illumination; the Festival of Lights at Sleepy Hole Park; the Fall R(e)cycling Drive Thru and Tire Amnesty Day in partnership with ForKids; free community COVID-19 testing; various staff appointments; the City’s observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Council Member Goldberg encouraged residents to comply with all coronavirus guidelines. Council Member Fawcett opined about the new Bennett’s Creek Recreation Center. Council Member Milteer expressed his appreciation for the condolences he received on the passing of his son. Council Member Duman announced he attended the Take Your Legislature to School Month event hosted by Suffolk Public Schools. Council Member Ward announced he attended the Take Your Legislator to School Month event hosted by Suffolk Public Schools. Vice Mayor Bennett acknowledged Interim Police Chief Alfred Chandler for his recent presentation to the Suffolk Rotary Club. Vice Mayor Bennett announced he attended the Take Your Legislator to School Month event hosted by Suffolk Public Schools. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Vice Mayor Bennett, moved to adjourn, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor L. Johnson, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Duman, Fawcett, Goldberg, T. Johnson, Milteer and Ward 8 NAYS: None 0 There being no further business to come before City Council, the regular meeting was adjourned at 8:59 p.m. Teste: ________________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk APPROVED: MAY 5, 2021 7