City Council Meeting Agendas

City Council Regular Meeting October 2, 2024 Regular Meeting of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, October 2, 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 Girl Scout Troop 772 led the Pledge of Allegiance. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT CERTIFICATION City Clerk Dawley presented a resolution certifying the Closed Meeting of October 2, 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 OCTOBER 2, 2024, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.2-3712 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA (1950), AS AMENDED 1 City Council Regular Meeting October 2, 2024 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Council Member Bennett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Rector, moved to approve the minutes from the July 17, 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 “Fire Prevention Week” Mayor Duman presented the proclamation to Fire Chief Michael Barakey and Deputy Fire Marshall David Joseph. Special Presentation - A proclamation in recognition of “Cybersecurity Awareness Month” Mayor Duman presented the proclamation to Information Technology Director Charles Kiriakou. REMOVAL OF ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Council Member Johnson, 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 City Clerk Dawley presented the following Consent Agenda items: Consent Agenda Item #7 - A Resolution Consenting to Assignment of Franchise Consent Agenda Item #8 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate a TRIAD Crime Prevention Grant for Seniors from the Commonwealth of Virginia Office of the Attorney General in support of the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney Consent Agenda Item #9 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the Commonwealth of Virginia’s American Rescue Plan Act State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund for the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s Septic Local Partnership Program 2 City Council Regular Meeting October 2, 2024 Consent Agenda Item #10 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds proffered by Port 460 Owner, LLC in support of the Murphy’s Mill Road Drainage Improvement project Consent Agenda Item #11 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds proffered by Port 460 Owners LLC in support of the Route 460 Improvements project Consent Agenda Item #12 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the Virginia Department of Transportation Revenue Share Program for the Pughsville Area Drainage Improvement project, Phase II and the transfer of funds from the Olde Town Drainage Improvement project to the Pughsville Area Drainage Improvement project 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 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 - A resolution adopting the 2025 Legislative Agenda for the City of Suffolk Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Mindy Carlin, Access Point Public Affairs, the City’s legislative consultant, submitted a summary of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Hearing no speakers, the public hearing was closed. 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 ADOPTING THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR THE CITY OF SUFFOLK ORDINANCES There were no items under this portion of the agenda. RESOLUTIONS There were no items under this portion of the agenda. 3 City Council Regular Meeting October 2, 2024 STAFF REPORTS There were no items under this portion of the agenda. MOTIONS Motion - A motion to cancel the November 6, 2024, City Council Meeting Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, moved to cancel the November 6, 2024, City Council Meeting. Referring to the proposed motion, Council Member Bennett opined about the purpose for cancellation. Mayor Duman advised that he received requests from several members of City Council to cancel the meeting. Council Member Rector asked about any impact of the consideration of the 2045 Comprehensive Plan. City Manager Moor replied that the consideration of the 2045 Comprehensive Plan was continued to the November 20, 2024, City Council meeting. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, moved to cancel the November 6, 2024, City Council Meeting, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Butler Barlow, Fawcett, Johnson, Rector and Williams 7 NAYS: Council Member Bennett 1 Motion – A motion to schedule a City Council Work Session for Wednesday, October 16, 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, October 16, 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 There were no speakers under this portion of the agenda. NEW BUSINESS City Clerk Dawley presented the following nominations for appointment to the respective bodies – Community Policy and Management Team – Sheridan Merriweather (private provider representative) and Southeastern Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program Policy Board – Louvenia Milteer. 4 City Council Regular Meeting October 2, 2024 Council Member Bennett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, 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 Director Jennifer Moore provided a report on the following: the City’s observance of the Columbus Day holiday; the Crust and Cork Ribbon Cutting; the Parks and Recreation Department’s receipt of awards from Virginia Recreation and Park Society; the Suffolk Public Library’s receipt of awards from the Virginia Library Association; the Virginia Department of Transportation’s long-term, single-lane closure on Route 58 for Southeastern Public Service Authority Interchange Improvement Project; the Nansemond River Cleanup; the Social Services Department’s job fair; the Suffolk Public Library’s Pet Picnic; the 46th Annual Suffolk Peanut Festival; the Suffolk Parks and Recreation Department’s Putt-Putt Party and the City’s Public Safety Portal. Council Member Butler Barlow opined about the 46th Annual Suffolk Peanut Festival. Council Member Butler Barlow opined about Hurricane Helene. Council Member Bennett opined about today’s Work Session presentation from the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority. Council Member Bennett announced the selection of his granddaughter, Amara Kennedy Oparaji, for the Peanut Fest Queen’s Court. Council Member Johnson opined about the 46th Annual Suffolk Peanut Festival and welcomed Girl Scout Troop 772. Council Member Johnson acknowledged the Parks and Recreation Department’s receipt of awards from Virginia Recreation and Park Society and the Suffolk Public Library’s receipt of awards from the Virginia Library Association. Council Member Rector acknowledged the Parks and Recreation Department’s receipt of awards from Virginia Recreation and Park Society and the Suffolk Public Library’s receipt of awards from the Virginia Library Association. Council Member Rector opined about the ongoing water main repair in the Azalea Acres area. Council Member Rector announced he attended the Virginia Retail Alliance Retail Matters luncheon. Council Member Rector opined about Hurricane Helene. Council Member William reported he attended the following events: the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge 50th Anniversary Celebration; the 2024 Downtown Suffolk Rotary Club First Citizen’s event and the Crust and Cork Ribbon Cutting. 5 City Council Regular Meeting October 2, 2024 Council Member Williams reported speeding and road maintenance concerns in the Whaleyville Borough. Council Member Fawcett acknowledged Girl Scout Troop 772, which provided the Pledge of Allegiance. Council Member Fawcett opined about Fire Prevention Week. Council Member Fawcett acknowledged the Parks and Recreation Department’s receipt of awards from Virginia Recreation and Park Society and the Suffolk Public Library’s receipt of awards from the Virginia Library Association. Council Member Fawcett opined about Hurricane Helene. Council Member Butler Barlow acknowledged Girl Scout Troop 772, which provided the Pledge of Allegiance. Vice Mayor Ward acknowledged Girl Scout Troop 772, which provided the Pledge of Allegiance. Vice Mayor Ward opined about the Pughsville Drainage Project. Vice Mayor Ward announced that he attended the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge 50th Anniversary Celebration. Vice Mayor Ward opined about the feasibility of the Parks and Recreation Department assisting a youth football team in the Burbage Grant area. Vice Mayor Ward reported that he attended the 2024 Downtown Suffolk Rotary Club First Citizen’s event Vice Mayor Ward acknowledged the Parks and Recreation Department’s receipt of awards from Virginia Recreation and Park Society and the Suffolk Public Library’s receipt of awards from the Virginia Library Association. Mayor Duman announced that he attended the following: the Downtown Master Plan presentation; the Western Tidewater Community Services Board’s “Shatter the Silence” Suicide Prevention event; the joint Work Session with the Suffolk School Board and the Public Safety Committee Meeting. Mayor Duman opined about today’s Work Session presentation from the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority. Mayor Duman reported that he attended the National Guard Armory 1st Annual Community Day. Mayor Duman called on City Manager Moor to provide an update on the City’s efforts to assist with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in southwestern Virginia and western North Carolina. City Manager Moor and Police Chief James Buie submitted information about the City’s efforts to assist with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in southwestern Virginia and western North Carolina. Mayor Duman acknowledged Girl Scout Troop 772, which provided the Pledge of Allegiance. 6 City Council Regular Meeting October 2, 2024 Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Butler Barlow, 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 7:15 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: FEBRUARY 5, 2025 7