City Council Meeting Agendas

City Council Regular Meeting February 5, 2025 Regular Meeting of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. PRESENT Council Members - Michael D. Duman, Mayor, presiding Lue R. Ward, Jr., Vice Mayor Leroy Bennett Shelley Butler Barlow Timothy J. Johnson LeOtis L. Williams Ebony N. Wright Erika S. Dawley, City Clerk William E. Hutchings, Jr., City Attorney Albert S. Moor, City Manager ABSENT Council Member John Rector (excused) CALL TO ORDER/INVOCATION/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Duman called the meeting to order and announced Council Member Rector was excused. 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 February 5, 2025, pursuant to Section 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended. Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Butler Barlow, moved to approve the resolution, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Rector was excused.) 0 A RESOLUTION OF CERTIFICATION OF THE CLOSED MEETING OF FEBRUARY 5, 2025, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.2-3712 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA (1950), AS AMENDED 1 City Council Regular Meeting February 5, 2025 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Bennett, moved to approve the minutes from the October 2, 2024, Work Session and Regular Meeting, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, and Williams 6 NAYS: None (Council Member Rector was excused.) 0 ABSTAIN: Council Member Wright 1 SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Special Presentation - A resolution recognizing Roger W. Fawcett for his years of service to the City of Suffolk, Virginia City Clerk Dawley read the proposed resolution. Council Member Bennett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Johnson, moved to approve the resolution, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Rector was excused.) 0 A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING ROGER W. FAWCETT FOR HIS YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE CITY OF SUFFOLK, VIRGINIA Mayor Duman gave the resolution to Mr. Fawcett, who provided remarks. REMOVAL OF ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Council Member Johnson, on a motion seconded by Council Member Bennett, moved to adopt the agenda, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Rector was excused.) 0 AGENDA SPEAKERS There were no speakers under this portion of the agenda. 2 City Council Regular Meeting February 5, 2025 CONSENT AGENDA City Clerk Dawley presented the following Consent Agenda items: Consent Agenda Item #7 - An ordinance to amend Article III, Boards, Committees, Commissions, Division 14, Standing Committees, of the Code of the City of Suffolk, to add the City-Nation Committee Consent Agenda Item # 8 - An ordinance to name the Downtown Suffolk Library Consent Agenda Item #9 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services Operation Ceasefire Grant Program for the Suffolk Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office Consent Agenda Item #10 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the Virginia Office of Emergency Medical Services Rescue Squad Assistance Fund for the Suffolk Department of Fire and Rescue Referring to Consent Agenda Items #7 through #10, City Manager Moor submitted a review of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Butler Barlow, moved to adopt Consent Agenda Items #7 through #10, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Rector was excused.) 0 PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no items under this portion under 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 REPORT Staff Report - Western Tidewater Community Services Board Mental Health Services Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Brandon Rodgers, Executive Director, Western Tidewater Community Services Board, provided a report about the above referenced topic. 3 City Council Regular Meeting February 5, 2025 Referring to the presentation, Mayor Duman sought additional information about the adverse childhood experience training. Mr. Rodgers explained that the training offers adults an opportunity to learn about the impact that childhood traumas have on children. Referring to the presentation, Mayor Duman called for clarification about the intended audience for the mental health first aid class. Mr. Rodgers stated that the class is recommended for anyone with a vested interest, and there are two separate classes: one for adults and one for children. Mayor Duman opined about the relationship between the City, Western Tidewater Regional Jail and the Western Tidewater Community Services Board. Mr. Rodgers said that his agency participates with the public safety departments on MARCUS response calls, with Social Services on abuse, neglect and benefit cases, and has membership on the Community Policy and Management Team. He also said the community services board works with the Western Tidewater Regional Jail on restoration issues and medical screenings. MOTIONS Motion - A motion to schedule a public hearing to be held on February 19, 2025, to receive public comment on the Proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2035 Capital Improvements Program and Plan Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Vice Mayor Ward, moved to schedule a public hearing to be held on February 19, 2025, to receive public comment on the Proposed Fiscal Year 2026- 2035 Capital Improvements Program and Plan, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Rector was excused.) 0 Motion – A motion to schedule a City Council Work Session, for Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., unless cancelled, by the Mayor and the City Manager Council Member Butler Barlow, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, moved to schedule a City Council Work Session, for Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., unless cancelled, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Rector was excused.) 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: Economic Development Authority of the City of Suffolk – Chuckatuck Borough representative (effective March 1, 2025) - Leslie Martin; Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners – Julpenia Hill and Tidewater Emergency Medical Services – Keith Johnson. 4 City Council Regular Meeting February 5, 2025 Council Member Bennett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Johnson, moved to nominate and appoint the aforementioned individuals to the respective bodies, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Rector was excused.) 0 ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMENTS Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Community Director Jennfier Moore provided a report on the following: the City’s observance of President’s Day; the appointment of Agricultural Specialist Julia Hillegass; ribbon cuttings for Pet Supplies Plus and the Suffolk Humane Society; the Pittmantown Road Bridge Replacement; the Southeastern Public Service Authority’s Interchange Improvements Project single-lane closures on Route 58 East; Suffolk Transit’s Transit Equity Day; Amari Young’s receipt of the National Recreation and Park Association’s 30 Under 30 Award; the Suffolk Parks and Recreation Department’s East Washington Street Public Engagement Meeting; the closure of Lone Star Lakes Park Playground for utility work; the availability of Litter Monster Cleanup Kits at the Suffolk Public Library; the Suffolk Public Library’s Black History Month events schedule and the availability of the Public Safety Portal. Council Member Wright acknowledged City staff for their assistance with constituent issues. Council Member Wright opined about upcoming homeowners associations meetings. Council Member Wright opined about Black History Month. Council Member Wright encouraged residents to attend upcoming City sponsored events. Council Member Williams reported that he attended the following events: the Portsmouth Registered Beauticians Banquet; the Suffolk City-wide Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration and the groundbreaking for Reids Place. Council Member Williams extended his condolences to the family of the late Albert Council. Council Member Williams extended his condolences to the family of the late Katherine Kendrick Dimmel. Council Member Williams announced the upcoming Whaleyville Borough Town Hall meetings. Council Member Butler Barlow acknowledged the appointment of the appointment of Agricultural Specialist Julia Hillegass. Council Member Butler Barlow opined about today’s work session regarding the Fiscal Year 2026-2035 Capital Improvements Program and Plan. Council Member Butler Barlow reported on meetings with the Greater Oakland Chuckatuck Civic League and the Suffolk Peninsula Community Partnership. 5 City Council Regular Meeting February 5, 2025 Council Member Butler Barlow opined about Black History Month. Council Member Bennett reported that he attended the Western Tidewater Community Services Board Town Hall. Council Member Bennett opined about today’s Work Session regarding the Fiscal Year 2026-2035 Capital Improvements Program and Plan. Council Member Bennett opined about Black History Month. Council Member Johnson acknowledged the appointment of the appointment of Agricultural Specialist Julia Hillegass. Council Member Johnson announced that he attended the Holland-Holy Neck Civic League meeting. Council Member Johnson encouraged residents to attend the Suffolk Art League Antique Show. Council Member Johnson opined about Route 58. Vice Mayor Ward reported that he attended a service at the United Full Gospel Revival Center. Vice Mayor Ward opined that he was honored at the Portsmouth Registered Beauticians Banquet. Vice Mayor Ward inquired about any substantive changes to the Pughsville Drainage Project. City Manager Moor replied that there are no changes in the Pughsville Drainage Project. Vice Mayor Ward reported that he attended the following: the Holland-Holy Neck Civic League meeting; the Virginia Municipal League Local Government Day and the Western Tidewater Community Services Board Town Hall. Mayor Duman extended his condolences to the family of the late, former chairman of the Isle of Wight County Board of Supervisors William M. McCarty. Mayor Duman announced that he attended the following events: the Pet Supplies Plus ribbon cutting; the Suffolk Humane Society ribbon cutting; the Suffolk City-wide Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration; the Redwood Smoke Shack ribbon cutting; the Downtown Advisory Committee meeting; the Reids Place groundbreaking and the Western Tidewater Community Services Board community meeting. Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Butler Barlow, moved to adjourn, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Rector was excused.) 0 6 City Council Regular Meeting February 5, 2025 There being no further business to come before City Council, the regular meeting was adjourned at 7:21 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: MAY 21, 2025 7