City Council Meeting Agendas

City Council Regular Meeting March 5, 2025 Regular Meeting of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. PRESENT Council Members - Michael D. Duman, Mayor, presiding Lue R. Ward, Jr., Vice Mayor Leroy Bennett Timothy J. Johnson John T. Rector LeOtis L. Williams Ebony N. Wright Tracey L. Sanford, Deputy City Clerk William E. Hutchings, Jr., City Attorney Albert S. Moor, City Manager ABSENT Council Member Shelley Butler Barlow (excused) CALL TO ORDER/INVOCATION/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Duman called the meeting to order and announced Council Member Butler Barlow was excused. Council Member Rector offered the Invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT CERTIFICATION Deputy City Clerk Sanford presented a resolution certifying the Closed Meeting of March 5, 2025, pursuant to Section 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended. Council Member Bennett, on a motion seconded by Vice Mayor Ward, moved to approve the resolution, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Butler Barlow was excused.) 0 A RESOLUTION OF CERTIFICATION OF THE CLOSED MEETING OF MARCH 5, 2025, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.2-3712 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA (1950), AS AMENDED 1 City Council Regular Meeting March 5, 2025 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Johnson, moved to approve the minutes from the October 16, 2024, Work Session and Regular Meeting, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Johnson, Rector, and Williams 6 NAYS: None (Council Member Butler Barlow was excused.) 0 ABSTAIN: Council Member Wright 1 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 Bennett, moved to adopt the agenda, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Butler Barlow was excused.) 0 AGENDA SPEAKERS Rachel Boots, 4445 Willard Avenue, Chevy Chase, Maryland, spoke in support of Agenda Item #12 - An ordinance granting a two-year extension of an approved Conditional Use Permit to establish Solar Energy Facility Use on a property located on Wilroy Road, at Zoning Map 26, Parcel 28; Account Number 300849000; CUP2024-029 CONSENT AGENDA Deputy City Clerk Sanford presented the following Consent Agenda items: Consent Agenda Item #7 - A resolution declaring and rescinding a local emergency Consent Agenda Item # 8 - A resolution to accept a donation of personal property for the Suffolk Public Library from the American Heart Association Consent Agenda Item #9 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management for the Suffolk Department of Fire and Rescue Consent Agenda Item #10 - A resolution expressing the concurrence of the City Council of the City of Suffolk, Virginia with the Inducement Resolution adopted by the Economic Development Authority of Henrico County, Virginia and approving the issuance of Revenue Bonds for the benefit of Bon Secours Mercy Health, Incorporated and Harbour View Health Center 2 City Council Regular Meeting March 5, 2025 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 Vice Mayor Ward, 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, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Butler Barlow was excused.) 0 PUBLIC HEARINGS Public Hearing - A resolution to adopt the Capital Improvements Program and Plan for Fiscal Years 2025-2026 through 2034-2035 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. Council Member Wright, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, moved to adopt the Capital Improvements Program and Plan for Fiscal Years 2025-2026 through 2034-2035 with the following amendments: (1) to include the Driver Elementary School Project in Fiscal Year 2026, using $620,000 from the Construction Reserve and (2) to reflect language including the Bernhowe Manor turn lane as part of the Route 17 Widening project on Page 61. Council Member Rector asked about the feasibility of updating the Neighborhood Assessment Tool used to evaluate improvements in the villages. Planning and Community Development Director Kevin Wyne advised it can be considered. Council Member Wright, on an amended motion seconded by Council Member Williams, moved to adopt the Capital Improvements Program and Plan for Fiscal Years 2025-2026 through 2034-2035 with the following amendments: (1) to include the Driver Elementary School Project in Fiscal Year 2026, using $620,000 from the Construction Reserve, (2) to reflect language including the Bernhowe Manor turn lane as part of the Route 17 Widening project on Page 61, and (3) to update the 5-year subtotal from $533,859,230 to $534,479,230, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Butler Barlow was excused.) 0 A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM AND PLAN FOR FISCAL YEARS 2025-2026 THROUGH 2034-2035, AS AMENDED 3 City Council Regular Meeting March 5, 2025 ORDINANCES Ordinance - An ordinance granting a two-year extension of an approved Conditional Use Permit to establish Solar Energy Facility Use on a property located on Wilroy Road, at Zoning Map 26, Parcel 28; Account Number 300849000; CUP2024-029 Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Planning and Community Development Director Wyne gave a report of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Mayor Duman announced that he abstained voting on this item the previous time it was presented to City Council for consideration, because he owned an adjacent property. He added that he no longer owns the adjacent property, therefore, he will vote on the item tonight. Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded Council Member Rector, moved to approve the ordinance, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Rector, Williams and Wright 5 NAYS: Council Members Bennett and Johnson 2 (Council Member Butler Barlow was excused.) AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A TWO-YEAR EXTENSION OF AN APPROVED CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ESTABLISH SOLAR ENERGY FACILITY USE ON A PROPERTY LOCATED ON WILROY ROAD, AT ZONING MAP 26, PARCEL 28; ACCOUNT NUMBER 300849000; CUP2024-029 RESOLUTIONS There were no items under this portion of the agenda. STAFF REPORT Staff Report - Significant Land Use Item Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Planning and Community Development Director Wyne provided a report about the above referenced topic regarding the proposed Ascend at Harbourview project located at 7250 Harbour Towne Parkway. 4 City Council Regular Meeting March 5, 2025 MOTIONS Motion – A motion to schedule a City Council Work Session, for Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., unless cancelled, by the Mayor and the City Manager Council Member Wright, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, moved to schedule a City Council Work Session, for Wednesday, March 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, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Butler Barlow was excused.) 0 NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS The following individuals spoke in support of funding for the former Nansemond County Training School project: Julpenia Hill, 7628 South Quay Road, representing Holland Holy Neck Civic League. H.E. Howell, III, 8201 Leafwood Road, representing Holland Holy Neck Civic League. Garland “Pete” Copeland, 114 Northgate Lane, representing the Nansemond Country Training School Heritage Center. Joel Copeland, 7681 Gates Road, representing self. NEW BUSINESS Deputy City Clerk Sanford presented the following nominations for appointment to the respective bodies: Community Criminal Justice Board Fifth Judicial District - Shannah Silver (Citizen representative); Economic Development Authority of the City of Suffolk - Karima Lockwood (Chuckatuck Borough representative) B.J. Willie (At Large representative) and Paul D. Camp Community College Board – Jennifer Bivins. Council Member Johnson, on a motion seconded by Council Member Rector, 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, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Butler Barlow was excused.) 0 ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMENTS Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Acting Assistant Director of Media and Community Relations Danny Epperson provided a report on the following: ribbon cuttings for Flickerstix and Glo Fiber; availability of the Popular Annual Financial Report; Suffolk Police Department’s participation in the 2025 Polar Plunge to support Special Olympics; Fire Season 4 p.m. burn law effective date; the Suffolk 5 City Council Regular Meeting March 5, 2025 Parks and Recreation Department’s the 41st Annual Juried Photography Exhibition; solicitation for participation in International Fest; announcement of construction work on the James River Bridge northbound lane; availability of the Public Works Waste Wizard; the Great Suffolk Cleanup; the Saint Patrick’s Day River Cleanup at Constant’s Wharf Park and Marina; Reading Around the Bases event; and availability of the Public Safety Portal. Council Member Wright opined about Women’s History Month. Council Member Wright reported on her tours of the City with Police Chief James Buie and Fire and Rescue Chief Michael Barakey. Council Member Wright summarized her tour of ForKids Chesapeake facility. Council Member Wright announced she attended the following: the North Suffolk Kiwanis Club Brunch; the Lafayette Bicentennial Committee Dinner; the Nansemond Suffolk NAACP’s Freedom Fund Banquet, and the Black History Month Program at Temple Beth El. Council Member Wright acknowledged Virginia Beach Police officers Cameron Girvin and Christopher Reese, who were killed in the line of duty. Council Member Rector reported that he attended the following: the Lafayette Bicentennial Committee Dinner; the Nansemond Suffolk NAACP’s Freedom Fund Banquet; the East Washington Street Corridor Forum; Hampton Road Alliance Meeting and the Suffolk Police Department’s Recruitment event. Council Member Williams opined about the Whaleyville Town Hall held for the downtown section of the borough and announced and an upcoming Town Hall for the rural part of the borough. Council Member Williams announced that he attended the following: the Chesapeake State of the City, Booker T. Washington Elementary School Black History Month program, and Nansemond-Suffolk NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet. Council Member Wiliams advised he attended the East Washington Street Corridor Forum and requested another date, as there was miscommunication on the original date. Council Member Bennett thanked the individuals who spoke in support of funding for the renovation of the former Nansemond County Training School into a community center. Council Member Bennett opined about reassessments. Council Member Bennett expressed appreciation to the Nansemond-Suffolk NAACP for his award at its Freedom Fund banquet. Council Member Bennett opined about the snow removal efforts by the Public Works Department. Council Member Bennett said he attended the East Washington Street Corridor Forum. Council Member Bennett acknowledged Virginia Beach Police officers Cameron Girvin and Christopher Reese, who were killed in the line of duty. 6 City Council Regular Meeting March 5, 2025 Council Member Johnson commented on funding the converting of the former Nansemond County Training School into a community center. Vice Mayor Ward opined about the passing of Gerald Hall. Vice Mayor Ward reported he attended the Nansemond-Suffolk NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet. Vice Mayor Ward thanked Western Tidewater Community Services Board Executive Director Brandon Rodgers for community outreach. Vice Mayor Ward opined about the City’s recycling service, the former Nansemond County Training School and Black History Month. Mayor Duman thanked the Public Works Department for its snow removal efforts and opined about the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Department. Mayor Duman announced that he attended the following: the Lafayette Bicentennial Committee Dinner; 42nd Annual Naomi P. Chambers Prayer Breakfast; the Nansemond-Suffolk NAACP Freedom Fund Banquet; the Suffolk Police Department recruitment event; Florence Bowser Elementary School for a BARKS session, and the Chesapeake State of the City. Mayor Duman acknowledged Virginia Beach Police officers Cameron Girvin and Christopher Reese, who were killed in the line of duty. Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Vice Mayor Ward, moved to adjourn, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Butler Barlow was excused.) 0 There being no further business to come before City Council, the regular meeting was adjourned at 7:37 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Tracey L. Sanford, CMC, Deputy City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: JUNE 4, 2025 7