City Council Meeting Agendas

City Council Regular Meeting October 4, 2023 Regular Meeting of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. PRESENT Council Members - Michael D. Duman, Mayor, presiding Lue R. Ward, Jr., Vice Mayor Leroy Bennett Shelley Butler Barlow Roger W. Fawcett Timothy J. Johnson John T. Rector LeOtis L. Williams Erika S. Dawley, City Clerk William E. Hutchings, Jr., City Attorney Albert S. Moor, City Manager ABSENT None CALL TO ORDER/INVOCATION/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Duman called the meeting to order. Council Member Butler Barlow offered the Invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT CERTIFICATION City Clerk Dawley presented a resolution certifying the Closed Meeting of October 4, 2023, pursuant to Section 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended. Council Member Fawcett, 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, Fawcett, Johnson, Rector and Williams 8 NAYS: None 0 A RESOLUTION OF CERTIFICATION OF THE CLOSED MEETING OF OCTOBER 4, 2023, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.2-3712 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA (1950), AS AMENDED 1 City Council Regular Meeting October 4, 2023 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Johnson, moved to approve the minutes from the April 19, 2023, and May 3, 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, Fawcett, Johnson, Rector and Williams 8 NAYS: None 0 SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Special Presentation – A proclamation in recognition of “Cybersecurity Awareness Month” Mayor Duman presented the above referenced proclamation to Information and Technology Director Charles Kiriakou. Utilizing a video presentation, Information and Technology Director Kiriakou offered a summation of the above referenced item. Special Presentation – A proclamation in recognition of “Fire Prevention Week” Mayor Duman presented the above referenced proclamation to Fire and Rescue Chief Michael Barakey and Battalion Chief Christopher Cornwell. REMOVAL OF ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Council Member Johnson, on a motion seconded by Council Member Butler Barlow, moved to adopt the agenda, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Fawcett, Johnson, Rector 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 Community Flood Preparedness funds from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and transfer funding from the Stormwater Fund for the Finney Outfall to the Nansemond River Drainage Area Study Consent Agenda Item #8 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate a Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Education School Construction Assistance Program Grant to the Schools Operating Fund and to transfer the funding to the Capital Projects Fund in support of the John F. Kennedy Middle School Replacement project 2 City Council Regular Meeting October 4, 2023 Consent Agenda Item #9 – An ordinance to transfer funds from the Human Resources Building Renovation – Schools Administration Building project to the John F. Kennedy Middle School Replacement project Consent Agenda Item #10 – An ordinance to authorize the transfer of unspent funds from the Obici Healthcare Foundation COVID Response Grant to the Suffolk Department of Social Services Consent Agenda Item #11 – An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the Suffolk Parks and Trails Alliance for the Suffolk Department of Parks and Recreation to enhance the Festival of Lights event Consent Agenda Item #12 – An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the Virginia Opioid Abatement Authority in support of the City of Suffolk’s Opioid Prevention and Treatment Program Consent Agenda Item #13 – A resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a change order to an agreement with Motorola Solutions, Incorporated for the upgrade of radio transmitter sites Referring to Consent Agenda Items #7 through #13, 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 Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Fawcett, Johnson, Rector and Williams 8 NAYS: None 0 PUBLIC HEARINGS Public Hearing - A resolution adopting the 2024 Legislative Agenda for the City of Suffolk Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Mindy Carlin and Emily Reynolds, Access Point Public Affairs, the City’s legislative liaisons, supplied a summary of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Thomas Rein, 119 Suffolk Meadows Boulevard, representing Suffolk Humane Society, spoke in support of mental health funding for public safety officers. Hearing no additional speakers, the public hearing was closed. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, moved to approve the resolution, as presented. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Rector inquired about the strategy relating to the Legislative Agenda and the results of the upcoming election. Ms. Carlin advised that the Legislative Agenda is sufficiently broad to deal with any electoral outcome. 3 City Council Regular Meeting October 4, 2023 Council Member Fawcett, 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, Fawcett, Johnson, Rector and Williams 8 NAYS: None 0 A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 2024 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR THE CITY OF SUFFOLK 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. MOTIONS Motion - A motion to schedule a City Council Work Session for Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at 4:00 p.m., unless cancelled Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Rector, moved to schedule a City Council Work Session, for Wednesday, October 18, 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, Fawcett, Johnson, Rector and Williams 8 NAYS: None 0 NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS Valiya Rose, address declined, representing self, was not present when called. Daniel Blue, 168 Preserve Way, representing self, opined about the high grass in his area. NEW BUSINESS City Clerk presented the following item for City Council’s consideration: a motion to nominate and appoint the following individuals to the respective positions - Virginia Municipal League 2023 Conference Annual Business Meeting Delegate - Council Member John Rector; and Virginia Municipal League 2023 Urban Section Meeting Delegate – Vice Mayor Lue Ward (voting delegate) and Council Member LeOtis Williams (alternate). 4 City Council Regular Meeting October 4, 2023 Council Member Johnson, on a motion seconded by Council Member Butler Barlow, moved to nominate and appoint the aforementioned individuals to the respective bodies, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Fawcett, Johnson, Rector and Williams 8 NAYS: None 0 ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMENTS Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Media and Community Relations Director Jennifer Moore provided a report on the following: the City’s operational hours in observance of Columbus Day and Yorktown Victory Day; the City’s receipt of the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association; 45th Annual Peanut Festival events; Suffolk Police Department’s Chat with the Chief event; Publix hiring event; Suffolk Parks and Recreation’s Carpool Cinema; the Halloween Cleanup meet up at the Nansemond Brewing Station; Downtown Fall Festival; and Parks and Recreation’s Fright Night. Council Member Rector acknowledged the Suffolk Police Department for attending a civic league meeting. Council Member Rector reported the attended the following events: the Sheriff’s Senior Expo; Paul D. Camp Community College’s Workforce Luncheon; First Citizen Award event; the Suffolk Opioid Abatement Authority Town Hall; RVA757 Convergence Conference; Peanut Fest Parade; Suffolk Lions Club 100th Anniversary, and State of the Region Address. Council Member Rector announced he will be attending a Skydive Suffolk event. Council Member Rector extended condolences to the family of the late Jack W. Nurney, Jr. Council Member Williams extended condolences to the families of the late Ricky Barnes and the late Anthony Jerome Parker. Council Member Williams reported that he attended the Saratoga/Philadelphia Civic League meeting. Council Member Williams reported various maintenance issues in the Walnut Hill and South Hill neighborhoods. Council Member Fawcett opined about Fire Prevention Week. Council Member Fawcett opined about the City’s bond rating. Council Member Fawcett announced that he attended the Sheriff’s Senior Expo. Council Member Fawcett extended condolences to the family of the late Anthony Jerome Parker. Council Member Butler Barlow opined about the solar facilities update at the today’s Work Session. 5 City Council Regular Meeting October 4, 2023 Council Member Butler Barlow reported that she attended the Sheriff’s Senior Expo and the Peanut Fest Queen’s Banquet. Council Member Bennett acknowledged the retirement of Lance Callis from the Suffolk Police Department. Council Member Bennett announced that he attended the Sheriff’s Senior Expo. Council Member Johnson opined about Fire Prevention Week. Council Member Johnson extended condolences to the family of the late Jack W. Nurney, Jr. Council Member Johnson announced that he attended the following events: the Suffolk First Citizen reception; the Peanut Fest Queen’s Banquet; the retirement celebration for Lance Callis from the Suffolk Police Department, and a community meeting about the proposed homeless shelter. Vice Mayor Ward opined about the City’s bond rating. Vice Mayor Ward thanked the staff from the Public Works Department for attending the Pughsville Civic League meeting. Vice Mayor Ward extended condolences to the family of the late Anthony Jerome Parker. Vice Mayor Ward acknowledged the appointment of Denise Smith as the Human Resources Department Assistant Director. Vice Mayor Ward expressed appreciation to Virginia Sling for the use of a vehicle for the Peanut Fest Parade. Mayor Duman extended condolences to the family of the late Jack W. Nurney, Jr. Mayor Duman reported that he attended the following events: the retirement celebration of Lance Callis from the Suffolk Police Department; the Suffolk First Citizen; Suffolk Public Safety Committee meeting; Peanut Fest Queen’s Banquet; Peanut Fest Parade; the Suffolk Lion’s Club 100th Anniversary, and State of the Region address. Mayor Duman opined about funding for Suffolk Public Schools. Mayor Duman announced that he attended the Suffolk Police Department’s Peace Officer Memorial Day observance and the retirement party for Dr. Elizabeth Taraski, President, Nansemond River Preservation Alliance. Mayor Duman extended his condolences to the family of the late Anthony Jerome Parker. 6 City Council Regular Meeting October 4, 2023 Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Butler Barlow, moved to adjourn, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Fawcett, Johnson, Rector and Williams 8 NAYS: None 0 There being no further business to come before City Council, the regular meeting was adjourned at 7:36 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: JANUARY 3, 2024 7