City Council Meeting Agendas

City Council Regular Meeting September 6, 2023 Regular Meeting of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. PRESENT Council Members - Michael D. Duman, Mayor, presiding Lue R. Ward, Jr., Vice Mayor Leroy Bennett Shelly Butler Barlow Timothy J. Johnson LeOtis L. Williams Erika S. Dawley, City Clerk William E. Hutchings, Jr., City Attorney Albert S. Moor, II, City Manager ABSENT Roger W. Fawcett (excused) John T. Rector (excused) CALL TO ORDER/INVOCATION/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Duman called the meeting to order. Council Member Bennett offered the Invocation, and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Duman announced that Council Member Fawcett and Council Member Rector were excused from the meeting. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT CERTIFICATION City Clerk Dawley presented a resolution certifying the Closed Meeting of September 6, 2023, pursuant to Section 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended. Council Member Bennett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, moved to approve the resolution, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, and Williams 6 NAYS: None (Council Members Fawcett and Rector were excused.) 0 A RESOLUTION OF CERTIFICATION OF THE CLOSED MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 6, 2023, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.2-3712 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA (1950), AS AMENDED 1 City Council Regular Meeting September 6, 2023 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Butler Barlow, moved to approve the minutes from the March 1, 2023, and March 15, 2023, Work Sessions and Regular Meetings, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, and Williams 6 NAYS: None (Council Members Fawcett and Rector were excused.) 0 SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS There were no items under this portion of the agenda. REMOVAL OF ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Council Member Johnson, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, moved to adopt the agenda, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, and Williams 6 NAYS: None (Council Members Fawcett and Rector were excused.) 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 additional funds from the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Aviation for the Suffolk Executive Airport Consent Agenda Item #8 - An ordinance amending Chapter 2, Sections 2-242 of the Code of the City of Suffolk concerning the membership of the Early Childhood Development Commission Referring to Consent Agenda Items #7 and #8, City Manager Moor submitted a review of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Vice Mayor Ward, moved to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, and Williams 6 NAYS: None (Council Members Fawcett and Rector were excused.) 0 2 City Council Regular Meeting September 6, 2023 PUBLIC HEARINGS Public Hearing - An ordinance authorizing the issuance and sale of bonds by the City of Suffolk, Virginia, and establishing the terms, details, and provisions for the payment thereof Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Kyle Laux, Senior Vice President, Davenport and Company, the City’s financial advisors, supplied a summary of the background information on the above referenced item. Hearing no speakers, the public hearing was closed. Council Member Bennett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Johnson, moved to approve the ordinance, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, and Williams 6 NAYS: None (Council Members Fawcett and Rector were excused.) 0 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF BONDS BY THE CITY OF SUFFOLK, VIRGINIA, AND ESTABLISHING THE TERMS, DETAILS, AND PROVISIONS FOR THE PAYMENT THEREOF Public Hearing – An ordinance authorizing the issuance and sale of revenue bonds by the City of Suffolk, Virginia, and establishing the terms, details, and provisions for the payment thereof Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Kyle Laux, Senior Vice President, Davenport and Company, the City’s financial advisors, supplied a summary of the background information on the above referenced item. Hearing no speakers, the public hearing was closed. Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Vice Mayor Ward, moved to approve the ordinance, with conditions, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, and Williams 6 NAYS: None (Council Members Fawcett and Rector were excused.) 0 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF REVENUE BONDS BY THE CITY OF SUFFOLK, VIRGINIA, AND ESTABLISHING THE TERMS, DETAILS, AND PROVISIONS FOR THE PAYMENT THEREOF ORDINANCES There were no items under this portion of the agenda. RESOLUTIONS There were no items under this portion of the agenda. 3 City Council Regular Meeting September 6, 2023 STAFF REPORTS Staff Report – James River Bridge Repairs Public Works Director Robert Lewis introduced Shannon Tearns, Virginia Department of Transportation. Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Ms. Tearns gave a report about the above referenced matter. Referring to the presentation, Mayor Duman asked for clarification regarding the timeline for the project. Ms. Tearns advised the project will last two extended weekends in the new year. Referring to the presentation, Mayor Duman inquired about planned traffic control surrounding the project. Public Works Director Robert Lewis advised that the region is discussing plans. Staff Report – Warehouse Performance Standards Overview Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Planning and Community Development Director Kevin Wyne gave a report about the above referenced matter. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Butler Barlow asked whether the proposed requirements for setbacks, noise barriers and screens are independent of one another. Planning and Community Development Director Wyne advised that each proposed requirement is independent of one another and are meant to address different concerns particular to each development and its surroundings. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Butler Barlow inquired about the measuring of noise around warehouses. Planning and Community Development Director Wyne said there is currently not a requirement to measure noise, and the proposed regulations would pave the way to require a noise study. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Butler Barlow queried about the monitoring of the air quality from trucks. Planning and Community Development Director Wyne reported that the current proposal does not include air quality requirements, but he theorized that the setback requirements may be able to address air quality concerns. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Bennett opined about the availability of information to the public. Planning and Community Development Director Wyne stated that the information will be available on the City’s website. Referring to the presentation, Vice Mayor Ward asked whether the proposal would be heard by City Council at its next meeting. City Manager Moor indicated it would be heard if that was the will of City Council. Staff Report – Truck Traffic on Driver Lane in the Kings Highway Area Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Public Works Director Lewis gave a report about the above referenced matter. 4 City Council Regular Meeting September 6, 2023 MOTIONS Motion - A motion to schedule a City Council Work Session for Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at 4:00 p.m., unless cancelled Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Johnson, moved to schedule a City Council Work Session, for Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at 4:00 p.m., unless cancelled, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, and Williams 6 NAYS: None (Council Members Fawcett and Rector were excused.) 0 NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS Dr. Andrea Parodi, 2655 Riverwatch Drive, representing self, was not present when called. Jeff Manian, 4028 Edinburg Court, representing self, was not present when called. Denise Murden, 4041 Kingston Parkway, representing Citizens Voice, introduced the organization. NEW BUSINESS City Clerk Dawley presented the following nominations for appointment: Economic Development Authority (Chuckatuck Borough) - Karima Lockwood and Human Services Advisory Board - Shameka Council. Council Member Johnson, on a motion seconded by Council Member Bennett, moved to nominate and appoint the aforementioned individuals to the respective bodies, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, and Williams 6 NAYS: None (Council Members Fawcett and Rector were excused.) 0 Council Member Johnson, on a motion seconded by Council Member Butler Barlow moved that an amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance be initiated in the Planning Commission to allow family transfer subdivisions on land held in trust, as provided for in State law, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, and Williams 6 NAYS: None (Council Members Fawcett and Rector were excused.) 0 ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMENTS Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Media and Community Relations Director Jennifer Moore provided a report on the following: the groundbreaking ceremony for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Station 11; the introduction of new computer software to manage Freedom of Information Act requests; the announcement of a public comment opportunity on the accreditation of the Suffolk Police Department by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies; the grand opening for Stretch Lab; 5 City Council Regular Meeting September 6, 2023 the Suffolk Police Department’s 2023 Senior Citizens Academy graduation; the announcement of Donna Andrews as the 10th Annual Suffolk Mystery Authors Festival headliner; the Plein Air Festival; the Suffolk Clean Community Commission’s Nansemond River Cleanup; and the Taste of Suffolk. Council Member Williams presented various maintenance issued from constituents. Council Member Williams opined about the reopening of Factory Street. Council Member Williams reported peanut dust from the Birdsong Peanuts expansion. Council Member Butler Barlow opined about National Night Out. Council Member Butler Barlow reported she attended the Nansemond Indian Nation PowWow. Council Member Butler Barlow opined about harvest season and urged patience with farm vehicles on City roadways. Council Member Bennett reported that he attended the Suffolk Police Department Senior Citizens Academy graduation. Council Member Bennett encouraged drivers to be mindful of Citywide traffic cameras. Council Member Johnson reminded drivers that school was back in session and to be aware of school traffic laws. Council Member Johnson expressed appreciation to Girl Scout Claire Askew for raising funds for a new playground at the Salvation Army. Council Member Johnson opined about the Plein Air Festival. Council Member Johnson expressed his appreciation for cameras on Route 58. Mayor Duman announced he attended the renaming of the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts’ West Gallery the TowneBank Gallery. Mayor Duman reported that Council Member Rector was representing the city in Oderzo, Italy with the Suffolk Sister Cities Commission. Mayor Duman said he attended the Nansemond Indian Nation PowWow. Mayor Duman advised he attend Suffolk Public Schools’ New Teacher Orientation. Mayor Duman extended his condolences to the family of the late Curtis Holland. Mayor Duman announced he attended the groundbreaking for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Station 11. Mayor Duman said he attended the National Night Out appreciation event. 6 City Council Regular Meeting September 6, 2023 Mayor Duman advised he attended the check presentation ceremony from Spectrum to the Genieve Shelter. Mayor Duman reported on his visits to various schools on the opening day. Mayor Duman opined about traffic enforcement cameras. Council Member Johnson, on a motion seconded by Council Member Bennett, moved to adjourn, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, and Williams 6 NAYS: None (Council Members Fawcett and Rector were excused.) 0 There being no further business to come before City Council, the regular meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: DECEMBER 6, 2023 7