City Council Meeting Agendas

City Council Regular Meeting April 16, 2025 Regular Meeting of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. PRESENT Council Members - Michael D. Duman, Mayor, presiding Lue R. Ward, Jr., Vice Mayor Shelley Butler Barlow Timothy J. Johnson 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 Leroy Bennett (excused) CALL TO ORDER/INVOCATION/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Duman called the meeting to order and announced Council Member Bennett 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 16, 2025, pursuant to Section 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended. Council Member Rector, on a motion seconded by Vice Mayor Ward, moved to approve the resolution, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Butler Barlow, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Bennett was excused.) 0 A RESOLUTION OF CERTIFICATION OF THE CLOSED MEETING OF APRIL 16, 2025, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.2-3712 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA (1950), AS AMENDED APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Vice Mayor Ward, moved to approve the minutes from the December 18, 2024, Work Session and Regular Meeting, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Butler Barlow, Johnson, Rector, and Williams 6 NAYS: None (Council Member Bennett was excused.) 0 ABTAIN: Council Member Wright 1 1 City Council Regular Meeting April 16, 2025 SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Special Presentation - A proclamation in recognition of “Fair Housing Month” Mayor Duman presented the proclamation to Donald Upton of the Hampton Roads Realtors Association. REMOVAL OF ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Council Member Johnson, on a motion seconded by Council Member Butler Barlow, moved to adopt the agenda, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Butler Barlow, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Bennett 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 amend Division 11 of the Code of the City of Suffolk by adding Section 2-426, to provide a Stipend Payment for Community Policy and Management Team Parent Representative Consent Agenda Item #8 - An ordinance to amend Division 11 of the Code of the City of Suffolk by adding Section 2-427 to provide a Stipend Payment for Family Assessment Planning Team Parent Representative Consent Agenda Item #9 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate additional funds from the Virginia Department of Aviation in support of the site preparation for the T-Hanger G project at the Suffolk Executive Airport Consent Agenda Item #10 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate additional State funds for Suffolk Public Schools 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 Rector, moved to adopt Consent Agenda Items #7 through #10, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Butler Barlow, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Bennett was excused.) 0 2 City Council Regular Meeting April 16, 2025 PUBLIC HEARINGS Public Hearing - An ordinance authorizing the disposition of real property identified as Tax Map and Parcel number 64A*T104 Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Deputy City Manager Kevin Hughes provided a summary of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Hearing no speakers, the public hearing was closed. Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Vice Mayor Ward, moved to approve the ordinance, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Butler Barlow, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Bennett was excused.) 0 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE DISPOSITION OF REAL PROPERTY IDENTIFIED AS TAX MAP AND PARCEL NUMBER 64A*T104 Public Hearing - An ordinance to rezone and amend the official zoning map of the City of Suffolk to change the zoning from MUD, Mixed Use Development Overlay District, to RU-24, Residential Urban- 24 (Conditional) Zoning District for property located at 7250 Harbour Towne Parkway, Zoning Map 6, Parcel 3A*2C*4, Account Number 306002947; RZN2024-014 (Conditional) Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Planning and Community Development Director Kevin Wyne gave an overview of the background information as printed in the official agenda. The following individuals spoke in support of the proposed ordinance, as presented: Grady Palmer, 999 Waterside Drive, Norfolk, Virginia, representing Ascend at Harbor Towne, applicant. Brian Rowe, 803 Cypress Chapel Road, applicant. Linda Johnson, 2748 Windjammer Road, representing self. Hearing no additional speakers, the public hearing was closed. Council Member Johnson moved to approve the ordinance, as presented. Council Member Wright opined about the precedent that City Council would be setting by approving the proposed ordinance that does not align with the Planning Commission recommendation or staff review in relation to the 2045 Comprehensive Plan. Council Member Wright inquired about the basis for the applicant’s request to reduce the number of units from the original master plan. Planning and Community Development Director Wyne advised he did not know the reason for the applicant’s request to reduce the number of units from the original master plan. 3 City Council Regular Meeting April 16, 2025 Council Member Wright queried about the feasibility of modifying the City’s policy regarding the proposed use and zoning of RU-24 Residential Urban-24 (Conditional) zoning district. Members of City Council opined about the potential perceived precedence of decisions counter to the Planning and Community Development Department staff and Planning Commission recommendations in relation to the City’s land use policies. Council Member Johnson, on a motion seconded by Council Member Rector, moved to approve the ordinance, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, and Council Members Butler Barlow, Johnson, Rector, and Williams 5 NAYS: Vice Mayor Ward and Council Member Wright 2 (Council Member Bennett was excused.) AN ORDINANCE TO REZONE AND AMEND THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF SUFFOLK TO CHANGE THE ZONING FROM MUD, MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT OVERLAY DISTRICT, TO RU-24, RESIDENTIAL URBAN-24 (CONDITIONAL) ZONING DISTRICT FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 7250 HARBOUR TOWNE PARKWAY, ZONING MAP 6, PARCEL 3A*2C*4, ACCOUNT NUMBER 306002947; RZN2024-014 (CONDITIONAL) Public Hearing - An ordinance vacating and abandoning two portions of Mulberry Street, located between Factory Street and Maple Street, Zoning Map 34G29(2), Parcel A, Parcel 9, and Parcel 8 and Zoning Map 34G25(2)35, Parcel 1, Account Numbers 354000338, 352929000, 35009000, and 351661000; STV2022-002 Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Planning and Community Development Director Wyne reviewed the background information as printed in the official agenda. J. Witt Harper, no address provided, Saunders and Ojeda, P.C., on behalf of the applicant, spoke in support of the proposed ordinance. Hearing no additional speakers, the public hearing was closed. Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Johnson, moved to approve the ordinance, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Butler Barlow, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Bennett was excused.) 0 AN ORDINANCE VACATING AND ABANDONING TWO PORTIONS OF MULBERRY STREET, LOCATED BETWEEN FACTORY STREET AND MAPLE STREET, ZONING MAP 34G29(2), PARCEL A, PARCEL 9, AND PARCEL 8 AND ZONING MAP 34G25(2)35, PARCEL 1, ACCOUNT NUMBERS 354000338, 352929000, 35009000, AND 351661000; STV2022-002 4 City Council Regular Meeting April 16, 2025 Public Hearing - An ordinance to authorize a quitclaim deed between the City of Suffolk, Birdsong Corporation, and Polk Pinewell 7, LLC, for two portions of Mulberry Street pertaining to Street Vacation Request STV2022-002 City Manager Moor announced that background information for this item was summarized during the previous presentation. Hearing no speakers, the public hearing was closed. Council Member Johnson, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, moved to approve the ordinance, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Butler Barlow, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Bennett was excused.) 0 AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORIZE A QUITCLAIM DEED BETWEEN THE CITY OF SUFFOLK, BIRDSONG CORPORATION, AND POLK PINEWELL 7, LLC, FOR TWO PORTIONS OF MULBERRY STREET PERTAINING TO STREET VACATION REQUEST STV2022-002 Public Hearing - An ordinance to amend Section 31-411(c) and Section 31-411(e)(10) of the Unified Development Ordinance of the City of Suffolk, Virginia; OTA2025-001 Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Planning and Community Development Director Wyne supplied a summation of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Hearing no speakers, the public hearing was closed. Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Wright, moved to approve the ordinance, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Butler Barlow, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Bennett was excused.) 0 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 31-411(C) AND SECTION 31-411(E)(10) OF THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SUFFOLK, VIRGINIA; OTA2025-001 Public Hearing - A public hearing to receive public comment on the Proposed Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 and related Ordinances Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Finance Director Charles Meek offered a report of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Iris Lundy, 2019 Meade Parkway, representing the Western Tidewater Free Clinic, spoke in support of the proposed Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. 5 City Council Regular Meeting April 16, 2025 Keon Lindsey, 307 Black Pine Court, representing self, spoke in support of a reduction in the real estate tax rate. William Webb, 810 Dumville Avenue, representing self, spoke in opposition to an increase in the real estate tax rate. Hearing no additional speakers, the public hearing was closed. Referring to the public hearing, Council Member Rector inquired about the assertion that the City has a $75,000,000 surplus. Finance Director Meek replied that the figure cited represents every revenue stream in the City budget, not only property tax revenue. He further explained that the funding includes capital project monies from various sources, which carries forward each year. He continued, some of the project funding is encumbered but not spent. Finance Director Meek also said that some of the funding has restrictions on how it can be spent, depending on its source. He concluded, when surpluses are calculated, both general and reserve funds are examined. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Rector asked about the uses for the Capital Reserve Fund. Finance Director Meek replied, the Capital Reserve Fund is used to pay for projects, so the City does not have sell bonds. Council Member Rector solicited information about the impact of reducing the real estate tax rate. City Manager Moor advised he did not give staff direction to prepare a budget with a real estate tax rate decrease, especially with the uncertainty regarding the availability of future federal funding. No action was required on this item by City Council at this time. Public Hearing - A resolution to adopt the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Annual Action Plan and Fiscal Year 2025-2030 Consolidated Plan for the City of Suffolk’s Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) and the Western Tidewater Home Consortium Home Investment Partnership Grant Program (HOME) Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Deidre Garrett, Community Development Grants Administrator, offered a summation of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Shane Doren, no address provided, representing South Creek Development, spoke in support of the proposed resolution, as presented. Hearing no additional speakers, the public hearing was closed. No action was required on this item 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. 6 City Council Regular Meeting April 16, 2025 STAFF REPORT There were no items under this portion of the agenda. MOTIONS Motion - A motion to schedule a City Council Work Session, for Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., unless canceled by the Mayor and the City Manager Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Wright, moved to schedule a City Council Work Session, for Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., unless canceled by the Mayor and the City Manager, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Butler Barlow, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Bennett was excused.) 0 NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS Kimberly Hughes, 124 Kings Point Drive, opined about the real estate tax assessment appeal process. Shane Alexander, 1800 White Marsh Road, opined about noise from Stratford Solar and called for a motion to suspend their conditional use permit. NEW BUSINESS Council Member Rector, on a motion seconded by Vice Mayor Ward, moved that City Manager Moor be requested to bring a report on May 7, 2025, regarding the process for and fiscal impact of the City adopting a tangible personal property tax relief program for elderly individuals and individuals with disabilities, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Butler Barlow, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Bennett was excused.) 0 ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMENTS Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Communications Assistant Director Andy Franklin provided a report on the following: the appointment of Minerva Hernandez Garcia as the Assistant Director of Libraries; the Suffolk Public Library’s receipt of three awards from the Virginia Public Library Directors Association; the Suffolk Tourism Division’s receipt of two Virgo Travel and Tourism Awards; the Suffolk Police Department Promotion Ceremony; the closure of courts one through six at the Howard Mast Tennis Courts in Lake Meade Park for resurfacing; the temporary closure of Knotts Neck Road; the temporary oversize truck restrictions for Route 17/Bridge Road; the availability of free mosquito dunks; the Suffolk Earth and Arts Festival and the availability of the Public Safety Portal. Council Member Butler Barlow opined about the Proposed Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. 7 City Council Regular Meeting April 16, 2025 Council Member Johnson opined about the Proposed Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. Council Member Wright opined about the Proposed Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2025- 2026. Council Member Rector opined about the Proposed Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2025- 2026. Council Member Rector announced that he attended the following: the Suffolk Police Department Promotion Ceremony; the Fresh Start Adult Day Program ribbon cutting; the Public Works Department Open House and the Gourmet Burger Bistro One Year Anniversary. Council Member Rector opined the Suffolk Public Library’s receipt of three awards from the Virginia Public Library Directors Association and the Suffolk Tourism Division’s receipt of two Virgo Travel and Tourism Awards. Council Member Rector acknowledged the Public Utilities Department for their assistance with a constituent issue. Council Member Rector called for an update on the noise issues at Stratford Solar Farm. Council Member Williams opined about the Proposed Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. Vice Mayor Ward acknowledged outgoing School Board Members Dr. Judith Brooks-Bucks and Phyllis Byrum. Vice Mayor Ward opined about the Proposed Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. Vice Mayor Ward opined the Suffolk Public Library’s receipt of three awards from the Virginia Public Library Directors Association and the Suffolk Tourism Division’s receipt of two Virgo Travel and Tourism Awards. Mayor Duman reported that he attended the following: the Suffolk Police Department Promotion Ceremony; the Joint Meeting of the City Council and the School Board; and the Virginia Waterways Tour. Mayor Duman called for an update on the noise issues at Stratford Solar Farm. Mayor Duman announced that he attended the following: the Constant’s Wharf Park groundbreaking; the Fresh Start Adult Day Care ribbon cutting and the Norfolk State of the City. 8 City Council Regular Meeting April 16, 2025 Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Johnson, moved to adjourn, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Butler Barlow, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Bennett was excused.) 0 There being no further business to come before City Council, the regular meeting was adjourned at 8:49 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: AUGUST 20, 2025 9