City Council Meeting Agendas

City Council Work Session April 9, 2025 A Joint Work Session of the Suffolk City Council and the Suffolk School Board was held in the City Council Chamber on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. PRESENT Council Members - Michael D. Duman, Mayor, presiding Lue R. Ward, Jr., Vice Mayor Leroy Bennett Shelley Butler Barlow John T. Rector (departed at 8:12 p.m.) LeOtis L. Williams Ebony N. Wright Erika S. Dawley, City Clerk William E. Hutchings, Jr., City Attorney Albert S. Moor, City Manager ABSENT None The following members of the Suffolk School Board were present: Heather Howell, Chair Sean P. McGee, Vice Chair Dr. Dawn Marie Brittingham Valerie Fields Karen Jenkins Tyron Riddick (departed before the end of the meeting) Kimberly Slingluff ABSENT None Also present from School Administration: Dr. John B. Gordon III, School Superintendent Wendell Waller, School Board Attorney Tarshia Gardner, Clerk of the School Board ABSENT None JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE SCHOOL BOARD Mayor Duman and Chair Howell offered introductory remarks. Dr. Gordon and City Manager Moor supplied additional introductory remarks. 1 City Council Work Session April 9, 2025 PROPOSED SUFFOLK PUBLIC SCHOOLS FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Dr. Gordon and Wendy Forsman, Chief Financial Officer, Suffolk Public Schools, provided a summary of the above referenced item. Referring to the presentation, Vice Mayor Ward inquired about the number of staff needed for pre- kindergarten classes. Dr. Gordon stated that all of the elementary schools have pre-kindergarten classes, but Suffolk Public Schools is unable to meet the needs of all of the students. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Butler Barlow queried about any contingency funding in the event that State and Federal funds are reduced. Dr. Gordon said that Suffolk Public Schools does not have a contingency fund to address the loss of $9,600,000 in grants. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson asked about bus service. Dr. Gordon explained that Suffolk Public Schools must work with the timelines established by bus manufacturers. He added that there is also a shortage of bus drivers, in addition to having a shortage of buses. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Wright sought clarification about the inclusion of the State grant funding in the proposed Suffolk Public Schools Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating and Capital Budget. Ms. Forsman replied that the State grant funding is included in the proposed Suffolk Public Schools Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating and Capital Budget. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Wright opined about the correlation between student attendance and accreditation. Dr. Gordon advised that they have contingency plans to address a variety of scenarios. Referring to the presentation, Mayor Duman questioned if the Literacy Act is an unfunded mandate. Ms. Forsman replied in the affirmative. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Wright called for additional information about the gap between the 11 School Resources Officers requested by Suffolk Public Schools and the four School Resource Officers proposed by the City. Mayor Duman indicated that the Suffolk Police Department and Suffolk Sheriff’s Department will be working with Suffolk Public Schools to address that matter. Referring to the presentation, Ms. Jenkins inquired about preserving school positions in relation to the expiration of funds provided by the American Rescue Plan Act. Dr. Gordon said that the system is attempting to absorb as many positions as possible. Referring to the presentation, Ms. Slingluff asked about receiving funding for additional Student Resource Officers. City Manager Moor advised the City and Schools are examining the issue. PROPOSED CITY FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Finance Director Charles Meek gave a synopsis of the above referenced item. City Manager Moor gave supplementary information. 2 City Council Work Session April 9, 2025 Referring to the presentation, Ms. Jenkins inquired about the amount in City’s rainy day fund and the purpose of the rainy-day fund. Finance Director Meek reported that the Unassigned Fund Balance has approximately $100,000,000 for weather emergencies and unexpected economic downturns. He added that the Capital Reserve Fund is designed for City surpluses at the end of the year for one time uses. Mr. McGee inquired about the feasibility of the City funding School Resource Officers for the Suffolk Public Schools’ extracurricular activities. Finance Director Meek stated that no monies have been identified to address that matter. Mr. Riddick opined about Suffolk Public Schools seeking grants for School Resources Officers. Dr. Gordon explained that Suffolk Public Schools received a State grants for school construction. He added, the State did not approve Suffolk Public School’s School Resource Officer grant application, as those funds were designated for more rural areas. Referring to the presentation, Ms. Howell asked about the number of new public safety employees included in the proposed City Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Operating and Capital Budget. Finance Director Meek said that nine positions in the Suffolk Police Department, including four School Resources Officers - two positions in the Suffolk Sheriff’s Office and eleven positions in the Suffolk Fire Department. Members of City Council and School Board Members exchanged comments with City and Schools’ staff on the likelihood and feasibility of getting funding for additional School Resource Officers. ELEPHANT FORKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RELOCATION City Manager Moor offered a report about the above referenced item. JOINT USE OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS’ RECREATION FACILITIES Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Parks and Recreation Director Mark Furlo submitted data about the above referenced topic. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Bennett queried about the feasibility of recommending tennis be added to the joint use agreement. Parks and Recreation Director Furlo replied in the affirmative. Vice Mayor Ward solicited information about the possibility of the City’s use of the park at Northern Shores Elementary School. Mayor Duman advised that in order for the City to use that facility, a joint use agreement must be in place. Vice Mayor Ward opined about installing a swimming pool at one of the high schools. Dr. Gordon advised that the installation of a swimming pool at a local high school is matter of the City providing the funding to do so. Council Member Bennett called about feasibility of using John F. Kennedy Middle School for athletic events. Parks and Recreation Director Furlo reported that staff has looked at youth sports organizations and the schools in their vicinity. 3 City Council Work Session April 9, 2025 Ms. Howell solicited information about the repair and liability of the joint use facilities. Parks and Recreation Director Furlo explained that the joint use agreement outlines the use and liability. NEW RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT Utilizing a Power Point presentation, Planning and Community Development Kevin Wyne presented information about the above referenced subject. Dr. Gordon provided supplementary information. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Wright inquired about the availability of data addressing the remaining capacity at each school facility. Dr. Gordon advised the data changes annually. Referring to the presentation, Ms. Jenkins asked for the location of the Oak Terrance subdivision. Planning and Community Development Director Wyne stated that the Oak Terrance subdivision will be located off Portsmouth Boulevard, and Mack Benn, Jr. Elementary School serves that area. Referring to the presentation, Ms. Jenkins requested the name of the neighborhood on East Washington Street. Planning and Community Development Director Wyne replied that the neighborhood is called Reid’s Place. Referring to the presentation, Ms. Jenkins called for clarification about the inclusion of the information about Reid’s Place in the presentation. Planning and Community Development Director Wyne explained that not all projects are included in the report. Referring to the presentation, Mr. McGee opined about the impact on the capacity at the middle school and the high school served by the Glenwood subdivision. Planning and Community Development Director Wyne reported that the number of students would increase from 23 to 40 students at John F. Kenndy Middle School and the number of students would increase from 41 to 63 at Lakeland High School as a result of the Glenwood subdivision. Ms. Howell asked about the feasibility of including stipulations requiring an applicant to develop a subdivision on a specific timeline. City Attorney Hutchings advised that type of requirement is not legal. He added that rezonings cannot require a timeline, and the zoning runs with the land. Members of City Council and the School Board opined about new residential development. Members of City Council and the School Board provided closing remarks. The Work Session was adjourned by the unanimous consent of the City Council and the School Board at 8:34 p.m. Teste: _____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: JULY 16, 2025 4 City Council Work Session April 9, 2025 5