City Council Meeting Agendas

City Council Regular Meeting April 2, 2025 Regular Meeting of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, April 2, 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 John T. Rector LeOtis L. Williams Ebony N. Wright Erika S. Dawley, City Clerk William E. Hutchings, Jr., City Attorney Albert S. Moor, City Manager ABSENT Timothy J. Johnson (excused) CALL TO ORDER/INVOCATION/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Duman called the meeting to order and announced Council Member Johnson 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 April 2, 2025, pursuant to Section 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended. Council Member Rector, on a motion seconded by Council Member Bennett, 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, Rector, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Johnson was excused.) 0 A RESOLUTION OF CERTIFICATION OF THE CLOSED MEETING OF APRIL 2, 2025, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.2-3712 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA (1950), AS AMENDED APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES 1 City Council Regular Meeting April 2, 2025 Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Butler Barlow, moved to approve the minutes from the December 4, 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, Rector, Williams 6 NAYS: None (Council Member Johnson was excused.) 0 ABSTAIN: Council Member Wright 1 SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Special Presentation - A proclamation in recognition of “National Animal Care and Control Week” Mayor Duman presented the above referenced proclamation to Police Chief James Buie, who offered remarks. Special Presentation - A proclamation in recognition of “National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week” Mayor Duman presented the above referenced proclamation to Police Chief Buie, who offered remarks. Special Presentation - A proclamation in recognition of “Child Abuse Prevention Month” Mayor Duman presented the above referenced proclamation to Assistant Director Toya Taylor and Family Services Program Manager Brandy Miller from Social Services Department, who offered remarks. Special Presentation - A proclamation in recognition of “National Library Week” Mayor Duman presented the above referenced proclamation to Library Director Clint Rudy and Library Advisory Board Chair Sean Bilby, who offered remarks. Special Presentation - A proclamation in recognition of “Week of the Young Child” Mayor Duman presented the above referenced proclamation to Parks and Recreation Director Mark Furlo, who offered remarks. Special Presentation - A proclamation in recognition of “Crime Victims’ Rights Week” Mayor Duman presented the above referenced proclamation to Victim/Witness Services Director Katherine Gardner and Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney staff, who offered remarks. 2 City Council Regular Meeting April 2, 2025 REMOVAL OF ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Council Member Bennett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Butler Barlow, 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, Rector, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Johnson was excused.) 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 Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Aviation for the Suffolk Executive Airport Consent Agenda Item #8 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from Robert Gillete for a granite monument at the Cedar Hill Cemetery Scatter Garden Consent Agenda Item #9 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the Suffolk Parks and Trails Alliance to construct a splash pad at the Kid Zone Playground at Lake Meade Park Referring to Consent Agenda Items #7 through #9, 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 Wright, moved to adopt Consent Agenda Items #7 through #9, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Rector, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Johnson was excused.) 0 PUBLIC HEARINGS Public Hearing - An ordinance to amend the Streets Identification System for streets and properties located at various locations throughout the City of Suffolk Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Planning and Community Development Director Kevin Wyne provided a summary of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Hearing no speakers, the public hearing was closed. 3 City Council Regular Meeting April 2, 2025 Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Vice Mayor Ward, moved to approve the ordinance, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Rector, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Johnson was excused.) 0 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE STREETS IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM FOR STREETS AND PROPERTIES LOCATED AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF SUFFOLK Public Hearing - A public hearing to receive public comment on the Suffolk Transit Facility Title VI Analysis that was previously reviewed at the City Council meeting on March 19, 2025 Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Public Works Director Robert Lewis gave an overview of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Hearing no speakers, the public hearing was closed. There was no action required by City Council at this time. 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 - Solid Waste Ordinance and Recycling Program Updates Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Public Works Director Lewis outlined the background information as printed in the official agenda. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Rector queried about any special containers for rubbish collection. Public Works Lewis explained that no special containers for rubbish collection will be needed. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Rector opined about the need to use bags for one refuse collection container. Public Works Director Lewis said that at this point, the details are to be determined if the City moves to single container refuse collection. Staff Report - Significant Land Use Application Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Planning and Community Development Wyne offered a synopsis of the background information as printed in the official agenda regarding the proposed Holland Glen project. 4 City Council Regular Meeting April 2, 2025 MOTIONS Motion - A motion to schedule a public hearing to be held on April 16, 2025, to receive public comment on the proposed Fiscal Year 2025-2030 Annual Action Plan for the City of Suffolk’s Community Development Block Grant Program and the Western Tidewater Home Consortium HOME Investment Partnership Grant Program Council Member Rector, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, moved to schedule a public hearing to be held on April 16, 2025, to receive public comment on the proposed Fiscal Year 2025-2030 Annual Action Plan for the City of Suffolk’s Community Development Block Grant Program and the Western Tidewater Home Consortium HOME Investment Partnership Grant Program, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Rector, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Johnson was excused.) 0 Motion - A motion to schedule a public hearing to be held on April 16, 2025, to receive public comment on the proposed Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating and Capital Budget Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Vice Mayor Ward, moved to schedule a public hearing to be held on April 16, 2025, to receive public comment on the proposed Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating and Capital Budget, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Rector, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Johnson was excused.) 0 Motion - A motion to schedule a public hearing to be held on May 7, 2025, to receive public comment on the proposed Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Citywide effective real estate tax increase due to reassessment Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Bennett, moved to schedule a public hearing to be held on May 7, 2025, to receive public comment on the proposed Fiscal Year 2025- 2026 Citywide effective real estate tax increase due to reassessment, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Rector, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Johnson was excused.) 0 Motion - A motion to schedule a City Council Work Session, for Wednesday, April 16, 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 Rector, moved to schedule a City Council Work Session, for Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., unless cancelled by the Mayor and the City Manager, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Rector, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Johnson was excused.) 0 5 City Council Regular Meeting April 2, 2025 NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS Rosa Hinton-Biggs, 102 Nansemond Pointe Drive, representing self, spoke in support of the exemption of personal property taxes for spouses of disabled veterans. John Wandinshun, 202 Station Drive, representing self, opined about his child custody agreement and interaction with the Suffolk Police Department. Vonnie Barnes, 1221 Blythewood Lanes, representing self, expressed concerns about the services of Suffolk Transit. NEW BUSINESS City Clerk Dawley presented the following nomination for appointment to the Wetlands Board – Dallas Ellis, Jr. (alternate) Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Vice Mayor Ward, moved to nominate and appoint the aforementioned individual to the respective body, as presented, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Rector, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Johnson was excused.) 0 Council Member Wright, on a motion seconded by Council Member Bennett, moved to direct City Manager Moor to explore the possibility of implementing a “No Burn” ban in the City’s urban and suburban areas to include a review of the restrictions for open burning in neighboring localities, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Rector, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Johnson was excused.) 0 ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMENTS Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Communications Assistant Director Andy Franklin provided a report on the following: Dollar Tree ribbon cutting; North Constant’s Park groundbreaking; the Suffolk Police Department receipt of the CALEA accreditation; Fire Station 11 Update; the City’s Environmental Crimes Task Force; Great Suffolk Cleanup video; the Nansemond Parkway/Bennetts Pasture Road Intermittent Lane Closure; the Nansemond Parkway Bridge Replacement Road Closure; the Public Works Department’s Open House; the Suffolk Parks and Recreation Department’s Glow in the Dark Egg Hunt; the Suffolk Parks and Recreation Department’s Saturday Cinema series; and the availability of the Public Safety Portal. Council Member Wright acknowledged the recipients of tonight’s proclamations. Council Member Wright opined about construction on Route 17. Council Member Wright opined about the Great Suffolk Cleanup. 6 City Council Regular Meeting April 2, 2025 Council Member Rector opined about the Suffolk Police Department receipt of the CALEA accreditation. Council Member Rector reported that he attended the following: the ForKids Art Auction; the Holland Athletic Association Season Opening; the North Constant’s Park groundbreaking; the Great Suffolk Cleanup and the Navy League Congressional Roundtable. Council Member Rector opined about the Downtown Suffolk Advisory Committee. Council Member Rector acknowledged the recipients of tonight’s proclamations. Council Member Williams opined about the recent Whaleyville Town Hall meeting. Council Member Williams reported constituent concerns from the Saratoga Civic League. Council Member Williams announced that he toured Fire Station 11. Council Member Williams stated he participated in the Great Suffolk Clean Up. Council Member Butler Barlow opined about the proposed Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating and Capital Budget. Council Member Butler Barlow opined about the North Constant’s Park groundbreaking and the Great Suffolk Cleanup. Council Member Bennett acknowledged the recipients of tonight’s proclamations. Council Member Bennett announced that he attended the unveiling of the Belleville Community Historical Marker. Council Member Bennett opined about the City’s water and sewer rates. Vice Mayor Ward extended his condolences to a family in Pughsville on the loss of a loved one. Vice Mayor Ward announced that he attended the unveiling of the Belleville Community Historical Marker. Vice Mayor Ward reported that he toured Fire Station 11. Mayor Duman announced he attended the following: the Great Suffolk Cleanup; the Dollar Tree ribbon cutting; the North Constant’s Park groundbreaking; Fire Station 11 tour and the unveiling of the Belleville Community Historical Marker. Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Wright, moved to adjourn, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Rector, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Johnson was excused.) 0 7 City Council Regular Meeting April 2, 2025 There being no further business to come before City Council, the regular meeting was adjourned at 8:11 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: JULY 2, 2025 8