City Council Meeting Agendas

City Council Regular Meeting March 17, 2021 Regular Meeting of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, March 17, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. PRESENT Council Members - Michael D. Duman, Mayor, presiding Leroy Bennett, Vice Mayor Shelley Butler Barlow Roger W. Fawcett Donald Z. Goldberg Timothy J. Johnson Lue R. Ward, Jr. LeOtis L. Williams Erika S. Dawley, City Clerk William E. Hutchings, Jr., Interim City Attorney Albert S. Moor, Interim City Manager ABSENT None CALL TO ORDER/INVOCATION/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Duman called the meeting to order. Council Member Goldberg 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 March 17, 2021, pursuant to Section 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Vice Mayor Bennett, moved to approve the resolution, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Butler Barlow Fawcett, Goldberg, Johnson, Ward and Williams 8 NAYS: None 0 A RESOLUTION OF CERTIFICATION OF THE CLOSED MEETING OF MARCH 17, 2021, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.2-3712 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA (1950), AS AMENDED 1 City Council Regular Meeting March 17, 2021 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Ward, moved to approve the October 21, 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, Johnson, Ward and Williams 7 NAYS: None 0 ABSTAIN: Council Member Butler Barlow 1 SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Special Presentation - COVID-19 Vaccination Update Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Deputy Fire Chief Brian Spicer supplied a report on the above referenced item. Council Member Williams sought information about the feasibility of hosting vaccination clinics in rural areas of the City, specifically at the Whaleyville Community Center. Deputy Fire Chief Spicer advised that site is being explored as well as other areas of the City. Referring to the presentation, Mayor Duman queried about the timeline for the transition of eligibiltiy categories to receive the coronavirus vaccine from 1b to 1c. Deputy Fire Chief Spicer explained that timeline will be determined by the Health Department, and once that information becomes available, it will be shared with the public. 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 Vice Mayor Bennett, to adopt the agenda, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Butler Barlow Fawcett, Goldberg, Johnson, Ward and Williams 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 Obici Healthcare Foundation for the City of Suffolk Department of Parks and Recreation 2 City Council Regular Meeting March 17, 2021 Consent Agenda Item #8 – An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the American Library Association for the Suffolk Public Library Consent Agenda Item #9 – An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the Virginia 9-1-1 Services Board Public Safety Answering Point Grant Program for the Suffolk Police Department Consent Agenda Item #10 – An ordinance to authorize the transfer of funds from the Nansemond Parkway Traffic Signal Upgrade Project and the Nondepartmental Capital Contingency Account to the Bridge Road Traffic Signal Project 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 Johnson, on a motion seconded by Council Member Fawcett, moved to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Butler Barlow Fawcett, Goldberg, Johnson, Ward and Williams 8 NAYS: None 0 PUBLIC HEARINGS Public Hearing – An ordinance to grant a Conditional Use Permit to establish a park/open space (generally) on property located at 724 North Main Street, Zoning Map 34A, Parcels 30, 31*31B, and 32, Account Numbers 252520150, 252939000, and 252521000; CUP2020-026 Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Planning and Community Development Director David Hainley gave a summation of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Kelly Hengler, no address provided, representing self, spoke in support of the proposed ordinance, with conditions, as presented. Mark Furlo, no address provided, Director, Suffolk Parks and Recreation Department, spoke in support of the ordinance, with conditions, as presented. Hearing no additional speakers, the public hearing was closed. Council Member Goldberg, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, moved to approve the ordinance, with conditions, as presented. Vice Mayor Bennett opined about the inclusion of a fishing pier in the proposed project on the parcel under consideration. Parks and Recreation Director Furlo replied that the fishing pier in not included in this part of the project but in Phase III, which is included in the Capital Improvement Plan. 3 City Council Regular Meeting March 17, 2021 Council Member Goldberg, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, moved to approve the ordinance, with conditions, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Butler Barlow Fawcett, Goldberg, Johnson, Ward and Williams 8 NAYS: None 0 AN ORDINANCE TO GRANT A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ESTABLISH A PARK/OPEN SPACE (GENERALLY) ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 724 NORTH MAIN STREET, ZONING MAP 34A, PARCELS 30, 31*31B, AND 32, ACCOUNT NUMBERS 252520150, 252939000, AND 252521000; CUP2020-026 Public Hearing – An ordinance to amend Chapter 31, Unified Development Ordinance of the Code of the City of Suffolk, Article 7, Supplemental Use Regulations, Section 31-724, Solar Energy Facilities; OTA2021-001 Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Planning and Community Development Director Hainley provided an overview of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Hearing no speakers, the public hearing was closed. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Goldberg, moved to approve the ordinance, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Butler Barlow Fawcett, Goldberg, Johnson, Ward and Williams 8 NAYS: None 0 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 31, UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF SUFFOLK, ARTICLE 7, SUPPLEMENTAL USE REGULATIONS, SECTION 31-724, SOLAR ENERGY FACILITIES; OTA2021-001 ORDINANCES There were no items under this portion of the agenda. RESOLUTIONS There were no items under this portion of the agenda. STAFF REPORTS There were no items under this portion of the agenda. 4 City Council Regular Meeting March 17, 2021 MOTIONS Motion – A motion to schedule a City Council Work Session, for Wednesday, April 7, 2021, at 4:00 p.m., unless cancelled Council Member Goldberg, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, moved to schedule a City Council Work Session, for Wednesday, April 7, 2021, at 4:00 p.m., unless cancelled, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Butler Barlow Fawcett, Goldberg, Johnson, Ward and Williams 8 NAYS: None 0 NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS Nancy Pruden, 6620 Crittenden Road, representing self, opined about historical properties and solar farms. Troy Jean, 6625 Crittenden Road, representing self, opined about development adjacent to the Nansemond River. Tyron Riddick, Post Office Box 413, representing self, spoke in support of the construction of a new John F. Kennedy Middle School. Claudia Holland, 9351 River Shore Drive, representing self, opined about issues in the Chuckatuck Borough. Kelly Hengler, Post Office Box 6028, representing the Crittenden-Eclipse-Hobson Heritage Civic League, opined about the rural residential conservation district. Miller Cary, 1002 Macarthur Drive, representing self, spoke in support of a line item budget for Suffolk Public Schools: Laurna Taylor, 5577 Godwin Boulevard, representing self, reported drainage issues in the Oakland community. NEW BUSINESS City Clerk Dawley presented the following board and commission nomination to the respective body: Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners – Clarence W. Ash, III. Council Member Johnson, on a motion seconded by Council Member Fawcett, moved to nominate and appoint the above referenced individual to the aforementioned body, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Butler Barlow Fawcett, Goldberg, Johnson, Ward and Williams 8 NAYS: None 0 5 City Council Regular Meeting March 17, 2021 Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Fawcett, moved to schedule a Special City Council meeting on Wednesday, March 24, 2021, 2:00 p.m., for the purpose of considering prospective candidates for the position of City Manager, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Butler Barlow Fawcett, Goldberg, Johnson, Ward and Williams 8 NAYS: None 0 ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMENTS Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Media and Community Relations Assistant Director Timothy Kelley provided a report on the following: the Suffolk Police Department’s Badge Pinning Ceremony; Virginia Severe Weather Awareness Week; the Suffolk Tourism Division’s Spring Market; Suffolk Restaurant Week; the Great American Cleanup; the Parks and Recreation Department’s Spring Eggstravaganza; the extension of the deadline for the Suffolk Small Business Assistant Grant Program Funds; and the State’s vaccination website. Council Member Butler Barlow acknowledged Suffolk Meals on Wheels and City staff for their efforts to provide coronavirus vaccinations to homebound residents. Council Member Butler Barlow asked about the reopening of City libraries. Interim City Manager Moor reported that City libraries are reopened to the public. Council Member Butler Barlow announced she attended a visit from First Lady Pamela Northam at Pioneer Elementary School. Council Member Johnson reported that the Holland Community House no longer wishes to serve as a voting precinct. Council Member Johnson extended his condolences to the family of the late Bertha Turner. Council Member Johnson encouraged residents to participate in the upcoming Great American Cleanup. Council Member Johnson announced he attended a visit from First Lady Pamela Northam at Pioneer Elementary School. Council Member Fawcett acknowledged City Administration for reopening City buildings. Council Member Fawcett opined about the Suffolk Police Department’s Badge Pinning Ceremony. Council Member Williams acknowledged City Administration for reopening City buildings. Council Member Williams announced he attended a visit from First Lady Pamela Northam at Pioneer Elementary School. Council Member Williams opined about the Suffolk Police Department’s Badge Pinning Ceremony. Council Member Williams extended his condolences to the family of the late Virginia Lee Ellen Mills. 6 City Council Regular Meeting March 17, 2021 Council Member Goldberg acknowledged City Administration for reopening City buildings. Council Member Ward acknowledged City Administration for reopening City buildings. Council Member Ward opined about the Suffolk Police Department’s Badge Pinning Ceremony. Council Member Ward acknowledged Temple Beth El for hosting a coronavirus vaccination clinic. Vice Mayor Bennett announced he attended a visit from First Lady Pamela Northam at Pioneer Elementary School. Vice Mayor Bennett opined about the Suffolk Police Department’s Badge Pinning Ceremony. Vice Mayor Bennet opined about a community clean up hosted by the Suffolk Police Department. Vice Mayor Bennett acknowledged a recent piece about Suffolk Police Department’s Explorer program on the Municipal Channel. Vice Mayor Bennett inquired about paper streets and standards for such developments in Pughsville. Interim City Manager Moor advised that he would research the matter and provide an update. Mayor Duman opined about the Suffolk Police Department’s Badge Pinning Ceremony. Mayor Duman announced he attended a visit from First Lady Pamela Northam at Pioneer Elementary School. Mayor Duman acknowledged the grand opening of the Mod Olive. Mayor Duman congratulated Planning and Community Development Director Hainley on his retirement. Mayor Duman opined about the annual report from City Assessor Butt presented at today’s Work Session. Mayor Duman acknowledged City Administration for reopening City buildings. 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 Butler Barlow Fawcett, Goldberg, Johnson, Ward and Williams 8 NAYS: None 0 7 City Council Regular Meeting March 17, 2021 There being no further business to come before City Council, the regular meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 8