City Council Meeting Agendas

City Council Regular Meeting September 4, 2024 Regular Meeting of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, September 4, 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 II, 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. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, moved to approve the minutes from the June 5, 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 Forensic Science Week” Mayor Duman presented the proclamation to Police Chief Daniel Buie. 1 City Council Regular Meeting September 4, 2024 REMOVAL OF ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Council Member Johnson, on a motion seconded by Council Member Rector, 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 item: Consent Agenda Item #7 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the sale of right of way of real property adjacent to the existing Route 32/Carolina Road pursuant to the devolution agreement and to authorize the transfer of funds to Capital Contingency Referring to Consent Agenda Item #7, 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 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 - An ordinance authorizing the acquisition of permanent easements and/or temporary construction easements, either by agreement or condemnation, for the Wilroy Road 12-inch Water Main Extension - Phase 2 Project Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Public Utilities Director Paul Retel submitted a summary of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Hearing no speakers, the public hearing was closed. Council Member Bennett, on a motion seconded by 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 2 City Council Regular Meeting September 4, 2024 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION OF PERMANENT EASEMENTS AND/OR TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENTS, EITHER BY AGREEMENT OR CONDEMNATION, FOR THE WILROY ROAD 12-INCH WATER MAIN EXTENSION - PHASE 2 PROJECT Public Hearing - An ordinance authorizing the issuance and sale of revenue bonds by the City of Suffolk, Virginia, and establishing the terms, details, and provisions for the payment thereof Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Kyle Laux, Senior Vice President, Davenport and Company, the City’s financial advisors, gave a synopsis 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 Fawcett, 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 ISSUANCE AND SALE OF REVENUE BONDS BY THE CITY OF SUFFOLK, VIRGINIA, AND ESTABLISHING THE TERMS, DETAILS, AND PROVISIONS FOR THE PAYMENT THEREOF ORDINANCES There were no items under this portion of the agenda. RESOLUTIONS There were no items under this portion of the agenda. STAFF REPORTS Staff Report - Roadway Maintenance and Paving Program Update Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Public Works Director Robert Lewis offered an overview of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Bennett asked about the ditch maintenance plan. Public Works Director Lewis advised that under the ditch maintenance plan, the City is divided into 20 zones that determines the timeline for all ditch maintenance. He said if a significant public safety concern occurs in a specific zone outside of the scheduled timeline, then it will be addressed as needed. 3 City Council Regular Meeting September 4, 2024 Referring to the presentation, Council Member Rector questioned the feasibility of replacing wooden curbs in Lakeside with concrete curbs. Public Works Director Lewis said that this presentation is addressing roadway maintenance, and the replacement of curbs falls under the category of roadway construction. He added the funds for roadway maintenance cannot be utilized for roadway construction projects. Mayor Duman called for clarification about the City’s ability to carryover maintenance funds from one year to the next year. Public Works Director Lewis explained that the City is able to carry over a minimum amount of maintenance funds from one year to the next year. He added that the City uses the funding that it receives. MOTIONS Motion - A motion to schedule a Public Hearing for September 18, 2024, to receive public comment on 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 Speights Spillway Bridge Replacement project Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Bennett, moved to schedule a Public Hearing for September 18, 2024, to receive public comment on 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 Speights Spillway Bridge Replacement project, 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 Joint Work Session, of City Council and the Suffolk Public School Board, for Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at 3 p.m., unless cancelled Council Member Butler Barlow, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, moved to schedule a Joint Work Session, of City Council and the Suffolk Public School Board, for Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at 3 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 City Council Work Session for Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at 4:00 p.m., unless cancelled by the Mayor and City Manager Council Member Johnson, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, moved to schedule a City Council Work Session for Wednesday, September 18, 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 4 City Council Regular Meeting September 4, 2024 NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS Jeff Hancock, 3889 Whaleyville Boulevard, representing the Suffolk Master Gardeners Association, outlined the purpose of his organization and requested adequate meeting and storage space. The following individuals representing the Preserve at Lake Meade opined about the development of their community: Daniel Blue, 168 Preserve Way. Valija Rose, 168 Preserve Way. Peter Ramos, 125 Abbey Road. Diana Ramos, 125 Abbey Road. NEW BUSINESS Mayor Duman asked City Manager Moor and City Attorney Hutchings to supply a summary of the City’s activities as it relates to the Preserve at Lake Meade. Council Member Rector, on a motion seconded by Council Member Fawcett, moved to direct City Manager Moor and City Attorney Hutchings to review the documents regarding the Preserve at Lake Meade and review potential corrective avenues, 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, Communications Specialist Brandon Gonzalez provided a report on the following: the City’s receipt of the AAA bond rating from Moody’s Investors, Fitch Ratings and Standard and Poor’s; the Taste of Suffolk; the 46th Annual Peanut Festival; the 2024 Downtown Suffolk Progress Report; upcoming events at Downtown Festival Park and upcoming events downtown. Council Member Butler Barlow called for an update on the efforts to provide Suffolk Master Gardeners with meeting space. City Manager Moor reported that staff is working to provide a new space for this organization. Council Member Butler Barlow acknowledged Public Utilities Director Retel and Public Works Director Lewis for attending a community meeting regarding the Oakland Stormwater Project. Council Member Bennett congratulated Junius Jackson on his retirement from the City of Suffolk and acknowledged the Non Agenda Speakers in attendance. Council Member Rector opined about the City’s receipt of the AAA bond rating from Moody’s Investors, Fitch Ratings and Standard and Poor’s. 5 City Council Regular Meeting September 4, 2024 Council Member Rector reported he attended the Port 460 Groundbreaking Ceremony. Council Member Rector opined about the upcoming Historic Holiday Home Tour. Council Member Williams acknowledged the Non Agenda Speakers in attendance. Council Member Fawcett reported various maintenance concerns in his borough. Council Member Fawcett congratulated Junius Jackson on his retirement from the City of Suffolk. Council Member Fawcett announced he attended the Port 460 Groundbreaking Ceremony. Council Member Fawcett acknowledged the Non Agenda Speakers in attendance. Vice Mayor Ward extended his condolences to the family of the late Doug Jackson. Vice Mayor Ward reported he attended the Port 460 Groundbreaking Ceremony. Mayor Duman announced he attended the Port 460 Groundbreaking Ceremony. 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 8:21 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: DECEMBER 4, 2024 6