City Council Meeting Agendas

City Council Regular Meeting December 4, 2024 Regular Meeting of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, December 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. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT CERTIFICATION City Clerk Dawley presented a resolution certifying the Closed Meeting of December 4, 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 DECEMBER 4, 2024, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.2-3712 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA (1950), AS AMENDED 1 City Council Regular Meeting December 4, 2024 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Council Member Johnson, on a motion seconded by Council Member Bennett, moved to approve the minutes from the September 4, 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 There were no items under this portion of the agenda. 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 items: Consent Agenda Item #7 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality FY2025 Competitive Litter Prevention and Recycling Grant Award for the City of Suffolk Litter Prevention and Recycling Program Consent Agenda Item #8 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality for the City of Suffolk Litter Prevention and Recycling Program and Extended Polystyrene Campaigns Referring to Consent Agenda Items #7 and #8, 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 Butler Barlow, 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 2 City Council Regular Meeting December 4, 2024 PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no items under this portion 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 REPORTS Staff Report - Harbour View/Bridge Road Interchange Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Public Works Director Robert Lewis offered a report on the above referenced item. Vice Mayor Ward opined about the timeline for improvements for the Bernhowe Manor area. Public Works Director Lewis reported that those improvements are in the third or fourth year of the Capital Improvement Plan. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Bennett requested clarification about traffic patterns on Harborview Parkway. Public Works Director Lewis advised that they are trying to complete work within the City’s already established right of way. Staff Report - Suffolk Shelter Programs Update Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Capital Programs and Buildings Director Gerry Jones, Deputy City Manager Azeez Felder and Mary Sue Rawls, Coalition Against Poverty in Suffolk, gave a report on the above referenced item. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson called for information about the funding source for the shelter. City Manager Moor explained that the City has received grant funding for the shelter and will continue to seek grants. He added that funding will also be included in the City’s Capital Improvement Plan and the Operating Budget. Council Member Johnson queried about the City partnering with the Coalition Against Poverty in Suffolk. Deputy City Manager Felder advised that the Coalition Against Poverty in Suffolk is one of several non-profit agencies that have received funding from the City’s Operating Budget. Council Member Bennett inquired about the amount of funding that the Coalition Against Poverty in Suffolk has received from the City. Finance Director Charles Meek stated that the Coalition Against Poverty in Suffolk has received $35,000 this fiscal year. 3 City Council Regular Meeting December 4, 2024 Referring to the presentation, Vice Mayor Ward sought additional information about the clients who will be served at the shelter. Deputy City Manager Felder said that the shelter would serve adult clients. Council Member Williams asked about the feasibility of a private business hosting a temporary winter shelter. City Manager Moor replied in order for a private business to host a temporary winter shelter, the facility would need to meet certain zoning, health and safety requirements. MOTIONS Motion - A motion to cancel the January 1, 2025, City Council Meeting Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Butler Barlow, moved to cancel the January 1, 2025, 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 Motion - A motion to schedule the Oath of Office Ceremony and Reorganizational Meeting for January 2, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. Council Member Johnson, on a motion seconded by Council Member Butler Barlow, moved to schedule the Oath of Office Ceremony and Reorganizational Meeting for January 2, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., 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, December 18, 2024, at 4:00 p.m., unless canceled by the Mayor and City Manager Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Bennett, moved to schedule a City Council Work Session for Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 4:00 p.m., unless canceled 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 Jerry Boone, Jr., 95 Byrum Road, Gates, North Carolina, was not present when called. Miguel Lopez, 303 Bullock Street, representing self, opined about unlicensed contractors and building code enforcement. Tom Rein, 119 Suffolk Meadows Boulevard, representing Citizens Voice, opined about warehouses. 4 City Council Regular Meeting December 4, 2024 Sherri Bradford, 2019 Meade Parkway, representing Western Tidewater Free Clinic, opined about the services of the clinic. NEW BUSINESS City Clerk Dawley presented the following nomination for appointment to the respective body – Downtown Suffolk Advisory Committee – Edward Beardsley (Retail representative). Council Member Rector, on a motion seconded by Council Member Fawcett, 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 Suffolk Police Department’s Badge Pinning Ceremony; the Suffolk Police Department’s Accreditation Assessment Public Comment Period; the Suffolk Parks and Recreation Department’s Festival of Lights; the Suffolk Parks and Recreation Department’s Winter Wonderland; Downtown Ice Skating at Downtown Festival Park; the Suffolk Public Library’s Festival of Flags; and the City’s Public Safety Portal. Council Member Rector reported that he attended the Suffolk Police Department’s Badge Pinning Ceremony and the New Realm Brewing Company Grand Opening. Council Member Rector opined about the Holiday Downtown Historic Home Tour. Council Member Rector announced that he attended the Grand Illumination and an event at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts. Council Member Rector opined about the City’s National Night Out ranking in the top ten for areas with a population between 100,000 and 300,000. Council Member Rector encouraged residents to participate in Small Business Saturday. Council Member Butler Barlow opined about the Suffolk Police Department’s Badge Pinning Ceremony. Council Member Willimas acknowledged the appointment of Police Chief James Buie. Council Member Williams opined about the LW’s Lawn Service Turkey Giveaway. Council Member Willaims extended his condolence to John King on the loss of his mother. Council Member Bennett opined about the Suffolk Police Department’s Badge Pinning Ceremony. Council Member Bennett opined about the Coalition Against Poverty in Suffolk. 5 City Council Regular Meeting December 4, 2024 Council Member Fawcett opined about the City’s National Night Out ranking in the top ten for areas with a population between 100,000 and 300,000. Council Member Fawcett reported that he attended the New Realm Brewing Company Grand Opening. Council Member Fawcett opined about the upcoming opening of Red Smoke Barbeque. Council Member Fawcett announced that he attended the Suffolk Police Department’s Badge Pinning Ceremony and the LW’s Lawn Service Turkey Giveaway. Council Member Fawcett extended his condolences to John King on the passing of his mother. Vice Mayor Ward opined about the Suffolk Police Department’s Badge Pinning Ceremony. Vice Mayor Ward reported that he attended the LW’s Lawn Service Turkey Giveaway. Vice Mayor Ward opined about the Western Tidewater Free Clinic. Vice Mayor Ward reported on a trip to assist with storm relief in Ashville, North Carolina. Mayor Duman announced that he attended the following events: the New Realm Brewing Company Grand Opening; the Grand Illumination and the Suffolk Police Department’s Badge Pinning Ceremony. Mayor Duman opined about the City’s National Night Out ranking in the top ten for areas with a population between 100,000 and 300,000. Council Member Bennett asked City Manager Moor to inspect the tree line buffer near the warehouses on Shoulders Hill Road. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Johnson, 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 7:42 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: APRIL 2, 2025 6