City Council Meeting Agendas

City Council Regular Meeting May 1, 2024 Regular Meeting of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, May 1, 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 May 1, 2024, 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 MAY 1, 2024, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.2-3712 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA (1950), AS AMENDED 1 City Council Regular Meeting May 1, 2024 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Vice Mayor Ward, moved to approve the minutes from the March 6, 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 Police Officer Memorial Week” Mayor Duman presented the proclamation to Interim Police Chief James Buie, who offered brief remarks. REMOVAL OF ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA City Manager Moor announced the following items needed to be added to the Ordinances portion of the agenda: “an ordinance authorizing payment of Police Officer bonuses” and “an ordinance to amend the annual salaries for Constitutional Officers and City Council Appointees”. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Johnson, moved to amend the agenda to add the aforementioned items under the Ordinances portion of the agenda. Referring to the motion, City Clerk Dawley called for clarification about inclusion of the adoption of the remainder of the agenda. Mayor Duman replied in the affirmative. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Johnson, moved to amend the agenda to add the aforementioned items under the Ordinances portion of the agenda and adopt the remainder of 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. 2 City Council Regular Meeting May 1, 2024 PUBLIC HEARINGS Public Hearing – A public hearing to receive public comment on the Proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Citywide effective real estate tax increase due to reassessment of 2.86% Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Finance Director Charles Meek submitted a summary of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Hearing no speakers, the public hearing was closed. Mayor Duman announced that action regarding this item would be taken under the Ordinances portion of the agenda. ORDINANCES Ordinance - Adoption of the proposed Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and related ordinances, as amended Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Finance Director Meek offered a synopsis of the background information as printed in the official agenda. City Clerk Dawley clarified that a motion to approve the Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and related ordinances, as amended, should include the following items: “an ordinance authorizing payment of Police Officer bonuses” and “an ordinance to amend the annual salaries for Constitutional Officers and City Council Appointees”. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded Council Member Butler Barlow, moved to approve the aforementioned ordinances, as amended, 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 APPROVING THE CITY BUDGET AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR EXPENDITURES CONTEMPLATED DURING THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2024, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2025, AND REGULATING THE PAYMENT OF MONEY OUT OF THE CITY TREASURY, AS AMENDED AN ORDINANCE LEVYING REAL PROPERTY TAXES FOR THE TAX YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2024, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2025, FOLLOWING THE APRIL 17, 2024, AND MAY 1, 2024, PUBLIC HEARINGS ADOPTING 2.86% INCREASE IN THE CITYWIDE ASSESSMENT, AS AMENDED AN ORDINANCE TO LEVY TAXES ON ALL TANGIBLE PERSONAL PROPERTY NOT EITHER EXEMPT FROM TAXATION OR OTHERWISE TAXED FOR THE 2024 AND 2025 TAX YEARS AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A FEE SCHEDULE FOR THE CITY OF SUFFOLK 3 City Council Regular Meeting May 1, 2024 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING NEW POSITIONS, PAY GRADES, PAY GRADE CHANGES AND JOB DESCRIPTIONS REGARDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET AND THE CITY’S COMPENSATION AND CLASSIFICATION PLAN, AS AMENDED AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR A COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT OF 4% TO ALL FULL-TIME AND REGULAR PART-TIME CITY EMPLOYEES, GRANT EMPLOYEES AND CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS’ EMPLOYEES AN ORDINANCE TO REAPPROPRIATE AND TRANSFER FUNDS RECEIVED THROUGH THE AUTOMATED TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT CAMERA PROGRAM FROM THE ROAD MAINTENANCE FUND RESTRICTED FUND BALANCE TO THE GENERAL FUND COMMUNITY SAFETY PROJECTS COST CENTER AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF POLICE OFFICER BONUSES AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE ANNUAL SALARIES FOR CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS AND CITY COUNCIL APPOINTEES RESOLUTIONS Resolution – A resolution authorizing an application process for the selection of the Downtown Advisory Committee Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Deputy City Manager Kevin Hughes gave an overview of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Council Member Rector, on a motion seconded by Council Member Johnson, moved to approve the resolution, as presented. Mayor Duman opined about the feasibility of including the classification of “other” on the applications, as there will be at large members. Deputy City Manager Hughes explained that matter is addressed by the requirement to provide the applicant’s home address. Referring to the presentation, Vice Mayor Ward called for clarification about the role of City Council in the selection of the at large members of the committee. Deputy City Manager Hughes reported that City Council will be making all of the appointments to the committee. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Rector sought information about the format of the application for the committee. Deputy City Manager Hughes said that the application will be available online on the City’s website. Council Member Rector, on a motion seconded by Council Member Johnson, 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 4 City Council Regular Meeting May 1, 2024 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THE SELECTION OF THE DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE Resolution – A resolution to adopt the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan for the City of Suffolk’s Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) and the Western Tidewater Home Consortium Home Investment Partnership Grant Program (HOME) Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Planning and Community Development Assistant Director Margaret Pittenger provided an overview of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Council Member Rector, 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 Bennett, Butler Barlow, Fawcett, Johnson, Rector and Williams 8 NAYS: None 0 A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR THE CITY OF SUFFOLK’S COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM (CDBG) AND THE WESTERN TIDEWATER HOME CONSORTIUM HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP GRANT PROGRAM (HOME) STAFF REPORT There were no items under this portion of the agenda. MOTIONS Motion - A motion to cancel the June 19, 2024, City Council Meeting Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, moved to cancel the June 19, 2024, City Council Meeting. Referring to the proposed motion, Council Member Fawcett asked about the impact on any items continued to that meeting. City Attorney Hutchings explained that any items would automatically be continued to the next City Council meeting. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, moved to cancel the June 19, 2024, City Council Meeting, 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 5 City Council Regular Meeting May 1, 2024 Motion - A motion to schedule a City Council Work Session for Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 4:00 p.m., unless cancelled by the Mayor and City Manager Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Johnson, moved to schedule a City Council Work Session for Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at 4:00 p.m., unless cancelled by the Mayor and City Manager, 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 Chris Dove, 852 Colonel Meade Drive, representing self, opined about adequate public facilities. Michael Hardy, 2116 Arizona Avenue, representing self, opined about public safety concerns. Kelly Hengler, 9345 Eclipse Drive, representing the Crittenden Eclipse Hobson Historical Civic League, opined about economic recovery. NEW BUSINESS City Clerk Dawley presented the following nomination: Suffolk Clean Community Commission – Robert Rhodes. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Johnson, moved to nominate and appoint the aforementioned individual to the respective body, 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 Director Jennifer Moore provided a report on the following: the appointment of Jennifer Cobb as Community Development Assistant Director; the grand openings for Miss Lilly’s Trading Post, Secret’z Closet Apparel and Accessories and Carter Machinery; Suffolk Skydive’s receipt of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Part 135 Operating Certificate; the speed limit reduction on Bridge Road and the Suffolk Police Department’s Senior Citizen Academy. Council Member Rector reported that he attended the following: the Public Works Citizens Academy; the Lake Prince Woods Wellness Center Grand Opening; the grand opening of Miss Lilly’s Trading Post; the Suffolk Earth and Arts Festival; Riverview Garden Tour; Suffolk Skydive’s receipt of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Part 135 Operating Certificate and the Hampton Roads Workforce Council “20 Under 20” Ceremony. 6 City Council Regular Meeting May 1, 2024 Council Member Williams opined about today’s Joint Work Session with the Planning Commission regarding the 2045 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Council Member Fawcett opined about today’s Joint Work Session with the Planning Commission regarding the 2045 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Council Member Fawcett acknowledged the appointment of Jennifer Cobb as Community Development Assistant Director and Suffolk Skydive’s receipt of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Part 135 Operating Certificate. Council Member Fawcett opined about the following: the Shoulder’s Hill Road and Sleepy Hole Road construction project; the efforts of the Suffolk Police Department and Suffolk Fire and Rescue Department; the National Day of Prayer Breakfast; the Portsmouth State of the City and the Lake Prince Woods Wellness Center Grand Opening. Council Member Fawcett reported that he attended the grand opening of Park 216 Apartments. Council Member Butler Barlow opined about today’s Joint Work Session with the Planning Commission regarding the 2045 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Council Member Bennett called for an update on the Lake Kennedy Voting Precinct. Deputy City Manager Hughes stated that the public hearing on that matter has been scheduled for the May 15, 2024, City Council meeting. Council Member Bennett asked for information on the timeline for the installation of traffic speed cameras on Bridge Road. City Manager Moor explained that at this time, there is no plan to install traffic speed cameras in that area. He added that there are traffic signals in that area to mitigate speeding issues. Council Member Bennett queried about the installation of shot spotter cameras in the Hollywood area. Interim Police Chief James Buie reported that those cameras are in the core area of the City, but he was not sure if there are any in the Hollywood area. Council Member Bennett inquired about the installation of shot spotter cameras at Hoffler Apartments. Interim Police Chief Buie stated that he could provide a list of the location of the shot spotter cameras. Council Member Bennett reported issues with ditches near Nansemond River High School. Council Member Bennett announced he attended the 100th birthday celebration for Thelma Hicks. Council Member Bennett opined about today’s Joint Work Session with the Planning Commission regarding the 2045 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Council Member Johnson opined about the observance of National Police Officer Memorial Week. Council Member Johnson opined about the ordinance authorizing payment of police officer bonuses. 7 City Council Regular Meeting May 1, 2024 Council Member Johnson opined about today’s Joint Work Session with the Planning Commission regarding the 2045 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Council Member Johnson announced he attended the grand opening of Miss Lilly’s Trading Post and the Arbor Day event. Vice Mayor Ward opined about today’s Joint Work Session with the Planning Commission regarding the 2045 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Vice Mayor Ward reported that he attended the grand opening of Miss Lilly’s Trading Post. Mayor Duman announced that he attended the following: the Cypress Chapel Christian Church event; the grand opening of Miss Lilly’s Trading Post; the Suffolk Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance City-wide Revival; the grand opening of Park 216 Apartments; the grand opening of Carter Machinery; the Arbor Day event and the grand opening of Café Davina. Mayor Duman opined about today’s Joint Work Session with the Planning Commission regarding the 2045 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Mayor Duman opined about the Public Safety Committee meeting. Mayor Duman reported he attended the ACCESS College Foundation Suffolk Donor Luncheon. 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 7:51 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: AUGUST 7, 2024 8