City Council Meeting Agendas

City Council Regular Meeting December 6, 2023 Regular Meeting of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. PRESENT Council Members - Michael D. Duman, Mayor, presiding Lue R. Ward, Jr., Vice Mayor Leroy Bennett 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 (Council Member Butler Barlow was excused.) CALL TO ORDER/INVOCATION/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Duman called the meeting to order. Council Member Rector offered the Invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Duman announced that Council Member Butler Barlow was excused. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, moved to approve the minutes from the August 16, 2023, and September 6, 2023, Work Sessions and Regular Meetings, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Fawcett, Johnson, Rector and Williams 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Butler Barlow was excused.) 0 SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Special Presentation – Western Tidewater Health District Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Angela Tillery, Director, Western Tidewater Health District, and Dr. Nancy Welch, Medical Consultant, supplied a summary of the above referenced item. Council Member Bennett queried about the methodology of reporting the increasing cases of COVID- 19. Dr. Welch explained that COVID-19 is now akin to influenza and with the availability of vaccines hopefully the cases will decrease. 1 City Council Regular Meeting December 6, 2023 REMOVAL OF ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Council Member Johnson, on a motion seconded by Council Member Fawcett, moved to adopt the agenda as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Fawcett, Johnson, Rector and Williams 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Butler Barlow was 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 funds from the Virginia Department of Transportation Safety Highway Improvement Program for the Carolina Road Diet project Consent Agenda Item #8 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the Virginia Department of Transportation Safety Highway Improvement Program for the Curve Warning Study project Consent Agenda Item #9 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the Virginia Department of Transportation Safety Highway Improvement Program for the Rumble Strips on Holland Road project Consent Agenda Item #10 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the Virginia Department of Transportation State of Good Repair Program and to transfer local urban maintenance funds for repaving sections of Whaleyville Boulevard Consent Agenda Item #11 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate proceeds from the Commonwealth’s Development Opportunity Fund Consent Agenda Item #12 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate additional State funds for Suffolk Public Schools Consent Agenda Item #13 - An ordinance to appropriate funds from the Route 17 Special Taxing District Committed Fund Balance and to transfer funds to the Capital Projects Fund in support of the College Drive Fire Station (Station 11) Project Consent Agenda Item #14 - An ordinance to amend Chapter 86, Article V by modifying Division 4, Section 86-318 to the City Code to correct typographical errors and to further authorize and direct the City Attorney's office to prosecute appeals of said matters in the Circuit Court 2 City Council Regular Meeting December 6, 2023 Referring to Consent Agenda Items #7 through #14, 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 Ward, moved to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Fawcett, Johnson, Rector and Williams 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Butler Barlow was excused.) 0 PUBLIC HEARINGS Public Hearing - An ordinance authorizing the acquisition of permanent easements, either by agreement or condemnation, for the Downtown Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation and Replacement Project Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Public Utilities Director Paul Retel gave a summary of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Hearing no speakers, the public hearing was closed. Council Member Johnson, on a motion seconded by Council Member Rector, moved to approve the ordinance, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Fawcett, Johnson, Rector and Williams 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Butler Barlow was excused.) 0 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION OF PERMANENT EASEMENTS, EITHER BY AGREEMENT OR CONDEMNATION, FOR THE DOWNTOWN SANITARY SEWER REHABILITATION AND REPLACEMENT PROJECT ORDINANCES There were items under this portion of the agenda. RESOLUTIONS There were no items under this portion of the agenda. STAFF REPORTS Staff Report - Presentation of the Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report Interim Finance Director Wendy Warfel introduced Laura Hardy, Cherry Bekaert, the City auditors. Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Ms. Hardy offered a summation of the above referenced item. Referring to the presentation, Mayor Duman asked about the meaning of GASB. Ms. Hardy said GASB is the acronym for the Government Standards Accountability Board. 3 City Council Regular Meeting December 6, 2023 Staff Report - Downtown Master Plan Update Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Business Development Manager Deanna Holt, Deputy City Manager Kevin Hughes and Capital Programs and Buildings Director Gerry Jones summarized the above referenced item. City Manager Moor provided supplementary comments and called for a motion to direct the City Manager to proceed with the formation of a downtown advisory committee. Members of City Council opined about the presentation. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Johnson, moved to direct the City Manager to proceed with the formation of a downtown advisory committee, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Fawcett, Johnson, Rector and Williams 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Butler Barlow was excused.) 0 Council Member Rector opined about advertising downtown businesses on Route 58. Business Development Manager Holt said that the City’s wayfinding sign package does not include that information. Deputy City Manager Hughes said the issue can be examined. Council Member Rector asked about the feasibility of new lighting at the former SunTrust Building. Deputy City Manager Hughes advised that improved lighting in that area is forthcoming. Council Member Rector queried about the Conditional Use Permit application for Café Davina. Deputy City Manager Hughes reported that application will be considered by the Planning Commission next month. Council Member Fawcett opined about the availability of parking for the Elliott Apartments. Deputy City Manager Hughes replied that the City has recently met with the building’s owner about the renovation, including the matter of parking. He added that the property comes with 15-20 parking spots, and the owner is exploring additional parking options in the area. Mayor Duman reported abandoned vehicles in the former SunTrust Building parking lot. City Manager Moor stated that the Planning and Community Development Department has been advised of this matter and will address it accordingly. Mayor Duman opined about removal of the drive thru at the former SunTrust Building. City Manager Moor indicated that currently the removal of the drive thru is not an immediate concern. MOTIONS Motion - A motion to schedule a City Council Work Session for Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at 4:00 p.m., unless cancelled 4 City Council Regular Meeting December 6, 2023 Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Johnson, moved to schedule a City Council Work Session for Wednesday, December 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, Fawcett, Johnson, Rector and Williams 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Butler Barlow was excused.) 0 NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS Ellen Saunders, 2019 Meade Parkway, representing Western Tidewater Free Clinic, expressed her organization appreciation for the City’s support. Kevin Holloman, 600 Mariners Way, Norfolk, Virginia, was not present when called. NEW BUSINESS There were no items under this portion of the agenda. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMENTS Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Media and Community Relations Director Jennifer Moore provided information on the following topics: the selection of Rita Ennis as the City’s new Risk Manager; the visitation schedule of the Bon Secours Care-A-Van; the Suffolk Police Department’s Annual Football Game; the Suffolk Police Department’s Stuff the Police Car Toy Drive; the Suffolk Parks and Recreation Department’s Elf in the Park event; the Suffolk Parks and Recreation Department’s Festival of Lights at the Sleepy Hole Park; the City’s 2023 Holiday Parade; the Suffolk Parks and Recreation Department’s How the Grinch Stole East Suffolk event; the Suffolk Tourism Division’ Meet Santa event; and the City’s receipt of the 2nd Place Award from National Association of Town Watch’s National Night Out for the 50,000-100,000 division. Council Member Rector opined about the City’s receipt of the 2nd Place Award from National Night Out. Council Member Rector opined about the Bon Secours Care-A-Van. Council Member Rector thanked City Administration for the removal of a portable toilet from Suburban Drive. Council Member Rector opined about the Suffolk Police Department’s Badge Pinning Ceremony. Council Member Rector announced he attended the following events: the State of Transit event; the Newport News Shipyard tour; the Workforce Development Roundtable Discussion; the Holiday Open House at the Norfolk Naval Base and the Suffolk Sister Cities International Annual Board Meeting. Council Member Williams thanked City Administration for the lighting on East Washington Street. 5 City Council Regular Meeting December 6, 2023 Council Member Williams called for an update on the Turlington Road Bridge. Public Works Director Robert Lewis stated that the crews have been able to start the project after experiencing some delays. Council Member Williams thanked City Administration for paving on Hosier Road. Council Member Fawcett reported that he attended the Suffolk Sheriff’s Department’s holiday luncheon. Council Member Fawcett opined about today’s joint work session with the Suffolk School Board. Council Member Fawcett announced he attended the followings events: Cub Scout Meeting Pack 89; the Suffolk Police Department Badge Pinning; the Suffolk Police Department Recruiting event; the Suffolk Sister Cities International Annual Business Meeting; the LW Lawn Service Turkey Give-a-way and Suffolk Fire and Rescue Department's Annual Awards and Recognition Ceremony. Council Member Fawcett opined about the following: the Suffolk Parks and Recreation Department’s Festival of Lights at Sleepy Hole Park; the Great Suffolk Clean-up and the Economic Development Department’s efforts downtown. Council Member Fawcett reported that he attended the Kroger grand reopening. Council Member Fawcett opined about the Suffolk Police Department’s Annual Football Game; the Suffolk Police Department’s Stuff the Police Car Toy Drive and the Suffolk Sherriff’s Department Annual Toy Drive. Council Member Bennett opined the City’s receipt of the 2nd Place Award from National Night Out. Council Member Bennett opined about the Special Presentation made by the Western Tidewater Health Department. Council Member Bennett announced he went on a tour of Newport News Shipbuilding. Council Member Johnson opined about the City’s receipt of the 2nd Place Award from National Night Out. Vice Mayor Ward reported he attended the Suffolk Sheriff’s Department holiday luncheon and the Kroger grand reopening. Vice Mayor Ward acknowledged the following: City’s receipt of the 2nd Place Award from National Night Out; the LW Lawn Turkey Give-a-way; the Western Tidewater Free Clinic and today’s joint work session with the Suffolk School Board. Mayor Duman announced he attend he following: the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Department's Annual Awards and Recognition Ceremony; the City’s Grand Illumination; the LW Lawn Service Turkey Give- a-way; the Suffolk United Food Give-a-way; the Suffolk Police Department’s Stuff the Police Car Toy Drive; the Suffolk Sherriff’s Department Toy Drive; the Public Safety Committee meeting and the Kroger grand reopening. Mayor Duman opined the City’s receipt of the 2nd Place Award from National Night Out. 6 City Council Regular Meeting December 6, 2023 Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Vice Mayor Ward, moved to adjourn, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Fawcett, Johnson, Rector and Williams 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Butler Barlow was excused.) 0 There being no further business to come before City Council, the regular meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: FEBRUARY 21, 2024 7