City Council Meeting Agendas

City Council Regular Meeting April 3, 2024 Regular Meeting of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, April 3, 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 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 April 3, 2024, pursuant to Section 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended. Council Member Johnson, on a motion seconded by Council Member Fawcett, 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 APRIL 3, 2024, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.2-3712 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA (1950), AS AMENDED 1 City Council Regular Meeting April 3, 2024 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Council Member Bennett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, moved to approve the minutes from the February 7, 2024, Work Session and Regular Meeting, 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 SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Special Presentation - A proclamation in recognition of “National Animal Care and Control Week” Mayor Duman presented the proclamation to Interim Police Chief James Buie who offered brief remarks. Special Presentation - A proclamation in recognition of “National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week” Mayor Duman presented the proclamation to Interim Police Chief Buie who offered brief remarks. REMOVAL OF ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Council Member Fawcett, 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 There were no items under this portion of the agenda. PUBLIC HEARINGS Public Hearing – An ordinance authorizing the acquisition of real property in fee simple and/or permanent and/or temporary easements, either by agreement or condemnation, for the Nansemond Parkway Bridge Replacement (Structure No.: 133-1836) Project Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Public Works Director Robert Lewis submitted a summary of the background information as printed in the official agenda. 2 City Council Regular Meeting April 3, 2024 Hearing no speakers, the public hearing was closed. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett inquired about the expected timeline for the project. Public Works Director Lewis estimated it would take a year. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett asked whether an alternative method could produce the same result. Public Works Director Lewis said the proposed process is the most efficient method. Council Member Fawcett moved to approve the ordinance, as presented. Referring to the presentation Council Member Bennett solicited information about the detour. Public Works Director Lewis advised the detour would likely be via Progress Road to Wilroy Road. Council Member expressed concern about detour traffic going through the Rivercliff neighborhood. Public Works Director Lewis said they would provide signage to encourage drivers to use the designated detour. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Bennett, moved to approve the ordinance, 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 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY IN FEE SIMPLE AND/OR PERMANENT AND/OR TEMPORARY EASEMENTS, EITHER BY AGREEMENT OR CONDEMNATION, FOR THE NANSEMOND PARKWAY BRIDGE REPLACEMENT (STRUCTURE NO.: 133-1836) PROJECT ORDINANCES Ordinance - An ordinance to appropriate funds from the General Fund Committed Fund Balance for one-time expenditures City Manager Moor offered a synopsis of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Council Member Bennett, on a motion seconded Council Member Williams, moved to approve the ordinance, 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 AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FROM THE GENERAL FUND COMMITTED FUND BALANCE FOR ONE-TIME EXPENDITURES 3 City Council Regular Meeting April 3, 2024 RESOLUTIONS There were no items under this portion of the agenda. STAFF REPORT Staff Report - Proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan for the City of Suffolk Community Development Block Grant Program and the Western Tidewater Home Consortium Home Investment Partnership Grant Program Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Planning and Community Development Director Kevin Wyne provided a report about the above referenced topic. Staff Report - Overview of the Workforce Development Center Social Services Director Harry Cromer introduced Susan Stubenrauch, Suffolk Workforce Development Coordinator. Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Ms. Stubenrauch submitted a summary of the above referenced topic. Council Member Rector opined about the potential relationship between the proposed Paul D. Camp Community College Workforce Trade and Innovation Center and the Suffolk Workforce Development Center. Ms. Stubenrauch said that she anticipates that the two facilities will work very closely together. Staff Report - Public Works Citizen Academy 2024 Update Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Public Works Director Robert Lewis gave a summation of the above referenced topic. Staff Report - Significant Land Use Application Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Planning and Community Development Director Wyne offered an overview of the above referenced topic. MOTIONS Motion - A motion to schedule a public hearing, to be held on April 17, 2024, to receive public comment on the proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan for the City of Suffolk’s Community Development Block Grant Program and the Western Tidewater Home Consortium HOME Investment Partnership Grant Program Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, moved to schedule a public hearing, to be held on April 17, 2024, to receive public comment on the proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan for the City of Suffolk’s Community Development Block Grant Program and the Western Tidewater Home Consortium HOME Investment Partnership Grant Program, 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 4 City Council Regular Meeting April 3, 2024 Motion - A motion to schedule a public hearing to be held on April 17, 2024, to receive public comment on the proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Operating and Capital Budget Council Member Johnson, on a motion seconded by Council Member Butler Barlow, moved to schedule a public hearing to be held on April 17, 2024, to receive public comment on the proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Operating and Capital Budget, 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 Motion – A motion to schedule a City Council Work Session, for Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 4:00 p.m., unless cancelled, by the Mayor and the City Manager Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Butler Barlow, moved to schedule a City Council Work Session, for Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 4:00 p.m., unless cancelled, 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 Motion - A motion to schedule a public hearing to be held on May 1, 2024, to receive public comment on the proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Citywide effective real estate tax increase due to reassessment Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Vice Mayor Ward, moved to schedule a public hearing to be held on May 1, 2024, to receive public comment on the proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Citywide effective real estate tax increase due to reassessment, 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 Motion - A motion to schedule a public hearing to be held on May 15, 2024, to amend Chapter 26-2 (c) Code of the City of Suffolk, Virginia, “Precincts and boundaries in boroughs: Cypress Borough, John F. Kennedy Precinct and White Marsh Precinct” Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Bennett, moved to schedule public hearing to be held on May 15, 2024, to amend Chapter 26-2 (c) Code of the City of Suffolk, Virginia, “Precincts and boundaries in boroughs: Cypress Borough, John F. Kennedy Precinct and White Marsh Precinct”, 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 NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS Vic Nicholls, 1124 Mill Lake Quarter, Chesapeake, Virginia, was not present when called. 5 City Council Regular Meeting April 3, 2024 NEW BUSINESS City Clerk Dawley presented the following nominations for appointment to the respective bodies: Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners - Adam Fitzgerald and Western Tidewater Community Services Board - Dr. Steven Blunt. Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Rector, 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, Fawcett, Johnson, Rector and Williams 8 NAYS: None 0 ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMENTS Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Media and Community Relations Multimedia Analyst Danny Epperson provided a report on the following: the Paul D. Camp Community College Workforce Trade and Innovation Center Groundbreaking; the Suffolk Police Department’s accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies; the Suffolk Police Department’s community survey; the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Department’s Fire and Life Safety Camp; the City’s receipt of the Housing and Urban Department’s Green and Resilient Retrofit Program Grant for Magnolia Gardens; the City’s employee milestone luncheon; the Suffolk Public Library’s receipt of two awards from the Virginia Public Library Directors Association; Library Director Clint Rudy’s election as the President of the Virginia Public Library Directors Association; the City’s announcement of upcoming overpass maintenance; the Garden Club of Virginia’s Historic Garden Week; the Suffolk Earth and Arts Festival; the Keep Suffolk Beautiful’s Recycling Drive and Tire Amnesty Day; and data from the Great Suffolk Cleanup. Council Member Rector reported he participated in the Great Suffolk Cleanup. Council Member Rector acknowledged Library Director Clint Rudy’s election as the President of the Virginia Public Library Directors Association and the Suffolk Police Department’s accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Council Member Rector announced he attended the Paul D. Camp Community College Workforce Trade and Innovation Center Groundbreaking and the Herb Heads Ribbon Cutting. Council Member Rector opined about the Garden Club of Virginia’s Historic Garden Week event in Riverview. Council Member Williams reported he attended the Chesapeake State of the City. Council Member Williams reported various infrastructural issues in the Whaleyville Borough. Council Member Fawcett announced he attended the Harborview Owners Association Annual Meeting and the Paul D. Camp Community College Workforce Trade and Innovation Center Groundbreaking. 6 City Council Regular Meeting April 3, 2024 Council Member Fawcett acknowledged the following: the Suffolk Police Department’s accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies; the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Department’s Fire and Life Safety Camp; the City’s employee milestone luncheon and Library Director Clint Rudy’s election as the President of the Virginia Public Library Directors Association. Council Member Fawcett reported he participated in the Great Suffolk Cleanup. Council Member Fawcett opined about the Suffolk Police Department’s recruiting event and the Keep Suffolk Beautiful’ s Recycling Drive and Tire Amnesty Day. Council Member Butler Barlow encouraged residents to participate in the Public Works Citizens Academy. Council Member Butler Barlow opined about the Agricultural Advisory Committee. Council Member Bennett announced he attended the Bayberry Cove Home Owners Association. Council Member Bennett opined about the City’s receipt of the Housing and Urban Department’s Green and Resilient Retrofit Program Grant for Magnolia Gardens. Council Member Johnson opined about the Great Suffolk Cleanup. Council Member Johnson acknowledged Susan Stubenrauch, Suffolk Workforce Development Coordinator Council Member Johnson reported he attended the Education Committee and the Agricultural Advisory Committee meetings. Council Member Johnson opined about the Suffolk Police Department’s receipt of the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies Accreditation. Council Member Johnson opined about the proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Operating and Capital Budget. Vice Mayor Ward announced he attended the Rajput Indian Cuisine Ribbon Cutting. Vice Mayor Ward reported he attended the Pughsville Civic League meeting. Mayor Duman opined about the Suffolk Police Department’s accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Mayor Duman reported he attended the following: the Public Safety Committee meeting; the Education Committee meeting and the Herb Heads Ribbon Cutting. Mayor Duman acknowledged Gary Myrick on his retirement from the Suffolk Police Department. Mayor Duman acknowledged Library Director Clint Rudy’s election as the President of the Virginia Public Library Directors Association 7 City Council Regular Meeting April 3, 2024 Mayor Duman opined about the proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Operating and Capital Budget. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, 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 8:00 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: JUNE 5, 2024 8