City Council Meeting Agendas

City Council Regular Meeting February 3, 2021 Regular Meeting of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. PRESENT Council Members - Michael D. Duman, Mayor, presiding Leroy Bennett Roger W. Fawcett Donald Z. Goldberg Timothy J. Johnson Lue R. Ward, Jr. LeOtis L. Williams Albert S. Moor, Interim City Manager Helivi H. Holland, City Attorney Erika S. Dawley, City Clerk ABSENT None CALL TO ORDER/INVOCATION/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Duman called the meeting to order. Vice Mayor Bennett offered the Invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance. City Clerk Dawley called the roll, and all members of City Council were in attendance. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT CERTIFICATION City Clerk Dawley presented a resolution certifying the Closed Meeting of February 3, 2021, pursuant to Section 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended. Vice Mayor Bennett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Goldberg, moved to approve the resolution, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Fawcett, Goldberg, T. Johnson, Ward and Williams 7 NAYS: None 0 A RESOLUTION OF CERTIFICATION OF THE CLOSED MEETING OF FEBRUARY 3, 2021, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.2-3712 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA (1950), AS AMENDED 1 City Council Regular Meeting February 3, 2021 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Ward, moved to approve the minutes from the September 2, 2020, Work Session and Regular Meeting, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Fawcett, Goldberg, T. Johnson, Ward and Williams 7 NAYS: None 0 Mayor Duman called on Interim City Manager Moor to address City Council. Interim City Manager Moor advised City Council asked for a motion to add an additional agenda item under Special Presentations – broadband initiatives update. Council Member Johnson, on a motion seconded by Council Member Ward, moved to amend the agenda to add the aforementioned item under Special Presentations, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Fawcett, Goldberg, T. Johnson, Ward and Williams 7 NAYS: None 0 SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Special Presentation - COVID-19 Vaccination Update Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Dr. Lauren James, Interim Director, Western Tidewater Health Department, supplied a report on the above referenced item. Council Member Johnson sought a telephone number for citizen inquiries regarding the coronavirus vaccine. Dr. James advised that her staff is working with the City to establish a hotline for citizen inquiries regarding the coronavirus vaccine. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson called for information about the upcoming coronavirus vaccination clinic. Dr. James reported that weekly coronavirus vaccination events will be held each Friday. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson queried about the availability of the coronavirus vaccine at local pharmacies. Dr. James said that the Health Department will be working local pharmacies and medical practices to provide coronavirus vaccination clinics. Referring to the presentation, Vice Mayor Bennett inquired about the availability of drive thru coronavirus vaccination clinics. Dr. James stated that she is optimistic that those will be an option in the future. Referring to the presentation, Vice Mayor Bennett asked about the distribution of the coronavirus vaccine. Dr. James explained that the State determines the allocations of the coronavirus vaccine based on the population of the locality. 2 City Council Regular Meeting February 3, 2021 Referring to the presentation, Council Member Ward requested information about future coronavirus vaccination events at community sites, such as churches. Dr. James replied that once the Health Department receives more coronavirus vaccines, more events will be held at community sites, such as churches. Council Member Ward opined about the addition of any new staff at the Western Tidewater Health District to address the need for coronavirus vaccine distribution. Dr. James advised that a vaccine planner has been hired with a grant from the Obici Health Care Foundation. Council Member Ward queried about the availability of the coronavirus vaccine for people with developmental or behavioral health issues, specifically cerebral palsy. Dr. James explained that residents in communal health facilities are considered high priority as it relates to coronavirus vaccine distribution. She added that each person will have to be assessed on a case by case basis. Council Member Williams sought information about the possible use of school nurses as it relates to coronavirus vaccine distribution. Dr. James stated that is a resource that might be considered in the future, once more coronavirus vaccines become available. Special Presentation – City of Suffolk’s Emergency Management’s Vaccination Assistance Efforts Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Deputy Fire Chief Brian Spicer provided a summary of the above referenced item. Interim City Manager Moor provided supplementary information regarding proposed State legislation that would permit local public safety personnel to distribute coronavirus vaccines. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Ward queried about the anticipated number of coronavirus vaccine doses that will be received. Deputy Fire Chief Spicer explained that it is anticipated that 1,700 coronavirus vaccine doses will be received, and it is expected that allocations will increase in the future. Mayor Duman called for assistance with the allocation of coronavirus vaccines at the Western Tidewater Regional Jail. Deputy Fire Chief Spicer stated that he will investigate this matter and follow up accordingly. Special Presentation – Broadband Initiative Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Randah Gaitan, Senior Administrative Analyst, gave a report on the above referenced item. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett queried about the status of the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative Grant. Ms. Gaitan said that the State needed additional time to determine the allocation of the grants. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett sought clarification about the City’s relationship with Spectrum, as it relates to the allocation of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. Interim City Manager Moor stated that the funding has already been allocated, but the technical information about the spenddown requirements and logistics are being determined. He added that the City is working with Spectrum on this major project, and construction will be ramping up. 3 City Council Regular Meeting February 3, 2021 Council Member Johnson opined about the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative Grant as it relates to the expansion of broadband in Whaleyville. Ms. Gaitan explained that there is broadband service in some areas of Whaleyville. She added that the City has a current grant application under consideration. REMOVAL OF ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Mayor Duman advised that a motion was in order at this time to adopt the agenda, as presented. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Goldberg, to adopt the agenda, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Fawcett, Goldberg, T. Johnson, Ward and Williams 7 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 CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Community Development Block Grant funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Consent Agenda Item #8 – A resolution to accept a donation of personal property for the Suffolk Department of Fire and Rescue Referring to Consent Agenda Items #7 through #8, 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 Williams, moved to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Fawcett, Goldberg, T. Johnson, Ward and Williams 7 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 Nansemond Parkway/Wilroy Road Overpass Over Commonwealth Railway Project Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Planning and Community Development Director David Hainley gave a summation of the background information as printed in the official agenda. 4 City Council Regular Meeting February 3, 2021 Chris Jansen, 304 Bridlewood Lane, President, Bridlewood Homeowners Association, spoke in opposition to the proposed ordinance, as presented. Carl Jackson, 106 Rochdale Lane, representing self, spoke in support of the proposed ordinance, as presented. James Dalton, 307 Bridie Lane, representing self, spoke in opposition of the proposed ordinance, as presented. Kevin Robinson, 203 Bridlewood Lane, representing self, spoke in opposition of the proposed ordinance, as presented. Hearing no additional speakers, the public hearing was closed. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett asked when the proposed project started. Public Works Director Louis Hansen stated that the project originally started five years ago, and then it was modified in 2017. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett queried about the project’s overall budget. Public Works Director Hansen replied that the overall budget is $24,830,000. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett solicited information about the amount of property will be impacted in the Bridlewood subdivision. Public Works Director Hansen said that about 4.9 acres of property in that subdivision will be impacted by the project. Council Member Fawcett opined about the feasibility of alternative options of the project. Ian Johnston, Clark Nexsen, the City’s engineering consultants, explained that the project must meet certain technical requirements as written in the City’s 2035 Comprehensive Plan, and other options would have been, both, difficult and costly. Vice Mayor Bennett requested information about the feasibility of using the remaining property in the Bridlewood subdivision. Public Works Director Hansen reported that there will be roughly two acres remaining that will be disconnected from the project. He surmised it might be useful to the Bridlewood subdivision. Council Member Johnson asked if the residents of the Bridlewood subdivision would be compensated for their impacted property. Public Works Director Hansen replied in the affirmative. Council Member Fawcett queried about the City’s ability to install an entrance into the remaining property for the residents of Bridlewood. Public Works Director Hansen indicated that might be a feasible option. Council Member Goldberg, on a motion seconded by Council Member Fawcett, moved to approve the ordinance, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, and Council Members Fawcett, Goldberg, T. Johnson, Ward and Williams 6 NAYS: Vice Mayor Bennett 1 5 City Council Regular Meeting February 3, 2021 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY IN FEE SIMPLE AND/OR PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY EASEMENTS, EITHER BY AGREEMENT OR CONDEMNATION, FOR THE NANSEMOND PARKWAY/WILROY ROAD OVERPASS OVER COMMONWEALTH RAILWAY PROJECT ORDINANCES There were no items under this portion of the agenda. RESOLUTIONS Resolution – A resolution appointing Holt W. Butt as the City Assessor City Clerk Dawley presented the resolution as printed in the official agenda. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Johnson, moved to approve the resolution, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Fawcett, Goldberg, T. Johnson, Ward and Williams 7 NAYS: None 0 A RESOLUTION APPOINTING HOLT W. BUTT AS THE CITY ASSESSOR STAFF REPORTS There were no items under this portion of the agenda. MOTIONS Motion – A motion to schedule a public hearing on February 17, 2021, to consider the adoption of an ordinance authorizing the acquisition of temporary construction easements for the Elwood Road (Rte. 613) Over Kingsale Swamp Structure #8016 Bridge Replacement Project Council Member Johnson, on a motion seconded by Council Member Ward, moved to schedule a public hearing on February 17, 2021, to consider the adoption of an ordinance authorizing the acquisition of temporary construction easements for the Elwood Road (Rte. 613) Over Kingsale Swamp Structure #8016 Bridge Replacement Project, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Fawcett, Goldberg, T. Johnson, Ward and Williams 7 NAYS: None 0 6 City Council Regular Meeting February 3, 2021 Motion – A motion to schedule a City Council Work Session, for Wednesday, February 17, 2021, at 4:00 p.m., unless cancelled Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Ward, moved to schedule a City Council Work Session, for Wednesday, February 17, 2021, at 4:00 p.m., unless cancelled, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Fawcett, Goldberg, T. Johnson, Ward and Williams 7 NAYS: None 0 NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS The following individuals spoke in favor of a resolution supporting LW Lawn Service: Brandon Randleman, 148 West Washington Street, representing self. Steve Daniels, 100 Dawson’s Lake Lane, representing self. Reginald Bivins, 913 Kilby Avenue, representing self. Trevon D. Boone, 1227 Excalibur Court, Chesapeake, Virginia, representing self. Jadon Pierce, 211 North Broad Street, representing self. Michael Massie, 355 Crawford Street, Suite 704, Portsmouth, Virginia, representing self. Vanessa Harris, 685 Carolina Road, representing self. Jonathan Powell, 1118 Hoiser Road, opined about the need for a boat ramp in downtown area and the new downtown library. George Mears, 4303 Ainslie Court, representing self, opined about the Conflict of Interest Act. NEW BUSINESS City Clerk Dawley presented the following board and commission nominations to the respective body: Early Childhood Development Commission – Marie Baker (specialist in child development representative); Gail Harrison (at large representative) and Tamie Rittenhouse (medical representative) and Carol Vann Wilson (at large representative). Council Member Goldberg, on a motion seconded by Council Member Johnson, moved to nominate and appoint the above referenced individuals to the aforementioned body, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Fawcett, Goldberg, T. Johnson, Ward and Williams 7 NAYS: None 0 7 City Council Regular Meeting February 3, 2021 Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Johnson, moved to appoint Shelley Butler Barlow to the fill the unexpired term of the Chuckatuck Borough representative, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Fawcett, Goldberg, T. Johnson, Ward and Williams 7 NAYS: 0 Mayor Duman surrendered the gavel, and Vice Mayor Bennett assumed the role as the Chair of the meeting. Council Member Ward, on a motion seconded by Mayor Duman, move to direct City Attorney Holland to draft a resolution for consideration at the February 17, 2021, City Council meeting that states that it is in the public interest that Council Member LeOtis Williams submit a bid in the competitive sealed bidding process for the City’s contract for landscaping services for City owned building. Members of City Council opined about the proposed motion. Council Member Ward, on a motion seconded by Mayor Duman, move to direct City Attorney Holland to draft a resolution for consideration at the February 17, 2021, City Council meeting that states that it is in the public interest that Council Member LeOtis Williams submit a bid in the competitive sealed bidding process for the City’s contract for landscaping services for City owned building, by the following roll call vote, AYES: Mayor Duman and Council Member Ward 2 NAYS: Council Members Fawcett, Goldberg and T. Johnson 3 ABSTAIN: Vice Mayor Bennett 1 ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMENTS Media and Community Relations Assistant Director Timothy Kelley announced the upcoming coronavirus vacation event at East End Baptist Church. Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Media and Community Relations Assistant Director Kelley provided a report on the following: the extension of the deadline for the Public Utilities Department’s utility pandemic relief program; the Suffolk Police Department’s crime and citizen contact survey; the Keep Suffolk Beautiful/Suffolk Sheriff’s Department’s document shredding and recycling drive; the Black History Month program at Suffolk Public Library; the Suffolk Center for Cultural Art’s production of “Dreamgirls”; Suffolk Parks and Recreation Department’s the Great Backyard Bird Count; the Suffolk Parks and Recreation Department’s Adult Coed Spring Softball League, Spring Youth Outdoor Soccer League and Spring Youth T-ball League registrations; and the City’s observance of the President’s Day Holiday. Council Member Johnson opined about the expansion of broadband in the rural areas of the City. Council Member Fawcett opined about a story about Dr. L.D. Britt on WAVY TV 10. Council Member Fawcett opined about the expansion of broadband in the rural areas of the City. 8 City Council Regular Meeting February 3, 2021 Council Member Fawcett reported that he visited the Nansemond Reserve development. Council Member Fawcett reported that residents have requested a stoplight at Bennett’s Pasture Road and Sleepy Hole Road. Council Member Williams extended his condolences to the family of the late Donald Bennett. Council Member Ward opined about the joint work session with the City Council and the Suffolk School Board. Council Member Goldberg opined about the expansion of the broadband in the rural areas of the City. Vice Mayor Bennett thanked Dr. Lauren James for the Special Presentation about the COVID-19 Vaccination Update. Vice Mayor Bennett extended his condolences to the family of the late Donald Bennett. Mayor Duman congratulated Shelley Butler Barlow on her appointment to the Chuckatuck Borough seat. Mayor Duman extended his condolences to the family of the late Donald Bennett and to the family of the late Mickey Boyette. Mayor Duman opined about the upcoming coronavirus vaccination event at East End Baptist Church. Mayor Duman opined about the Suffolk Police Department’s crime and citizen contact survey. Mayor Duman opined about the expansion of broadband in the rural areas of the City. Mayor Duman opined about the joint work session with the City Council and the Suffolk School Board. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Ward, moved to adjourn, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Fawcett, Goldberg, T. Johnson, Ward and Williams 7 NAYS: None 0 There being no further business to come before City Council, the regular meeting was adjourned at 9:26 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: AUGUST 18, 2021 9