City Council Meeting Agendas

City Council Regular Meeting February 7, 2024 Regular Meeting of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. PRESENT Council Members - Michael D. Duman, Mayor, presiding Lue R. Ward, Jr., Vice Mayor Leroy Bennett Shelley Butler Barlow 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 Roger W. Fawcett was excused.) CALL TO ORDER/INVOCATION/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Duman called the meeting to order. Mayor Duman announced Council Member Fawcett was excused from tonight’s meeting. 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 February 7, 2024, pursuant to Section 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended. Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Butler Barlow, moved to approve the resolution, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Butler Barlow, Bennett, Johnson, Rector and Williams 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Fawcett was excused.) 0 A RESOLUTION OF CERTIFICATION OF THE CLOSED MEETING OF FEBRUARY 7, 2024, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.2-3712 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA (1950), AS AMENDED 1 City Council Regular Meeting February 7, 2024 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Rector, moved to approve the minutes from the November 15, 2023, Work Session and Regular Meeting, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Butler Barlow, Bennett, Johnson, Rector and Williams 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Fawcett was 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 City Manager Moor advised City Council that Item #13 would need to be removed from the agenda - Public Hearing - An ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute a Second Amendment to lease for the Whaleyville Communications Tower Lease with Cellco Partnership d/b/a/ Verizon Wireless Council Member Johnson, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, moved to remove Item #13 from the agenda and adopt the remainder of the agenda, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Butler Barlow, Bennett, Johnson, Rector and Williams 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Fawcett 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 Emergency Management for the Suffolk Department of Fire and Rescue Consent Agenda Item #8 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate additional funds from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for the Fifth Judicial District Community Corrections Program Consent Agenda Item #9 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate a FEMA grant from the United States Department of Homeland Security for the Suffolk Department of Fire and Rescue Consent Agenda Item #10 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate additional funds from the Virginia Department of Transportation for the Nansemond Parkway/Bennetts Pasture Road Intersection Improvements project and to appropriate and transfer funds from the General Fund Committed Fund Balance Capital Reserve Fund to the Capital Projects Fund for the required local match 2 City Council Regular Meeting February 7, 2024 Consent Agenda Item #11 - A resolution to accept a donation of personal property for the Suffolk Department of Fire and Rescue Consent Agenda Item #12 - A resolution to endorse project applications under the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Discretionary Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Referring to Consent Agenda Items #7 through #12, City Manager Moor submitted a review of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Council Member Bennett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Rector, moved to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Butler Barlow, Bennett, Johnson, Rector and Williams 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Fawcett was excused.) 0 PUBLIC HEARINGS Public Hearing - An ordinance authorizing the City Manager to execute a Second Amendment to lease for the Whaleyville Communications Tower Lease with Cellco Partnership d/b/a/ Verizon Wireless This item was removed under Removal of Items from the Consent Agenda and Adoption of the Agenda. ORDINANCES There were no items under this portion of the agenda. RESOLUTIONS There were no items under this portion of the agenda. STAFF REPORT – 2045 Comprehensive Plan Update Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Principal Planner William Cannady provided a report about the above referenced topic. MOTIONS Motion - A motion to schedule a public hearing to be held on February 21, 2024, to receive public comment on the Proposed Fiscal Year 2025-2034 Capital Improvements Program and Plan Council Member Johnson, on a motion seconded by Council Member Butler Barlow, moved to schedule a public hearing to be held on February 21, 2024, to receive public comment on the Proposed Fiscal Year 2025-2034 Capital Improvements Program and Plan, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Butler Barlow, Bennett, Johnson, Rector and Williams 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Fawcett was excused.) 0 3 City Council Regular Meeting February 7, 2024 Motion – A motion to schedule a City Council Work Session, for Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at 4:00 p.m., unless cancelled Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Bennett, moved to schedule a City Council Work Session, for Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at 4:00 p.m., unless cancelled, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Butler Barlow, Bennett, Johnson, Rector and Williams 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Fawcett was excused.) 0 NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS Dr. Kathy Guidon, 15189 Airfield Road, Wakefield, Virginia, representing the Airfield 4-H Educational Center, provided information about her facility’s programs and services. NEW BUSINESS Council Member Butler Barlow, on a motion second Council Member Johnson, moved to direct the City Manager to evaluate the Village Center Zoning District setbacks and any resulting adverse impacts the setbacks may have to abutting properties or the neighborhood character and to bring back a report to City Council at the June 5, 2024, City Council meeting, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Butler Barlow, Bennett, Johnson, Rector and Williams 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Fawcett was excused.) 0 Council Member Williams left the meeting at 6:31 p.m. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMENTS Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Media and Community Relations Director Jennifer Moore provided a report on the following: the City’s observance of the President’s Day holiday; the appointment of Deputy City Attorney Stephanie Pough, Virginia Retirement Systems Benefits Consultant Ryan Singleton and Fleet and Equipment Services Manager Bradley Braendle; City Employee Milestone Service Luncheon; the unveiling of new City’s 50th anniversary badges by the Suffolk Police Department; the receipt of donated equipment by the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Department; the Suffolk Admirals Night event; the activation of red light photo enforcement cameras; the implementation of new public hearing signs by Planning and Community Development Department and upcoming community meetings hosted by the Suffolk Public Library. Council Member Butler Barlow announced she attended a recent Agriculture Advisory Board Committee meeting. Council Member Butler Barlow opined about proposed Fiscal Years 2025-2034 Capital Improvements Program and Plan. Council Member Bennett opined about proposed Fiscal Years 2025-2034 Capital Improvements Program and Plan. 4 City Council Regular Meeting February 7, 2024 Council Member Johnson opined about the Airfield 4-H Educational Center. Council Member Johnson talked about school zone and work zone traffic enforcement cameras. Council Member Johnson mentioned the closure of a Rite Aid store in Holy Neck borough. Council Member Rector reported that he attended the following: the Mystery Art Heist event at the Suffolk Art Gallery; Kroger re-opening events; retirement celebration for Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Jeff James; Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Policy economic forecasting event; the Virginia Municipal League Government Day; Suffolk Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance event and ribbon cutting for Next 2 Nothing. Council Member Rector mentioned Suffolk resident and Louisiana State University student athlete Michaela Rose broke the 600-yard dash record at a meet in Texas. Vice Mayor Ward expressed appreciation for condolences on the passing of his brother. Vice Mayor Ward opined about the Public Safety Committee meeting. Vice Mayor Ward opined about an upcoming Town Hall meeting. Mayor Duman opined about proposed Fiscal Years 2025-2034 Capital Improvements Program and Plan. Mayor Duman opined about the new Planning and Community Development notice signs and traffic enforcement cameras. Mayor Duman reported he attended the following: retirement celebration for Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Jeff James; Kroger Fuel Center ribbon cutting; a meeting with Virginia Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary and Suffolk Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance event. Mayor Duman commented on Holocaust Remembrance Day. Council Member Butler Barlow, on a motion seconded by Council Member Johnson, moved to adjourn, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Butler Barlow, Bennett, Johnson, and Rector 6 NAYS: None 0 (Council Member Fawcett was excused, and Council Member Williams was not present at the time of the vote.) There being no further business to come before City Council, the regular meeting was adjourned at 7:07 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: APRIL 3, 2024 5