City Council Meeting Agendas

City Council Regular Meeting September 3, 2025 Regular Meeting of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, September 3, 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 John T. Rector LeOtis L. Williams Ebony N. Wright Erika S. Dawley, City Clerk William E. Hutchings, Jr., City Attorney Kevin Hughes, Interim City Manager ABSENT None CALL TO ORDER/INVOCATION/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Duman called the meeting to order. 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 September 3, 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 Rector, moved to approve the resolution, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 8 NAYS: None 0 A RESOLUTION OF CERTIFICATION OF THE CLOSED MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 3, 2025, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.2-3712 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA (1950), AS AMENDED 1 City Council Regular Meeting September 3, 2025 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Council Member Johnson, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, moved to approve the minutes from the May 7, 2025, Work Session and Regular Meeting, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 8 NAYS: None 0 SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Special Presentation – A proclamation in recognition of “Forensic Science Week” Mayor Duman presented the above-mentioned proclamation to Police Chief James Buie, who offered remarks. Special Presentation – A proclamation in recognition of “Hunger Action Month” Mayor Duman presented the above-mentioned proclamation to Jermey Rodden, Director of Community Engagement, Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia and Eastern Shore, who offered remarks. Special Presentation – Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Dr. Thomas Yanuzzi, Executive Director, Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, submitted a summary of the above-mentioned item. Special Presentation – Update of Fall Events Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Tourism Manager Theresa Earles gave a report on the above- mentioned item. REMOVAL OF ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Interim City Manager Hughes announced that a motion would be required to add the following resolution to the agenda for consideration - a resolution authorizing the filing of a Federal Aviation Administration grant application and authorizing the City Manager to execute a grant agreement for an update to the Airport Master Plan Project 3-51-0050-035-2025 Council Member Johnson, on a motion seconded by Council Member Bennett, moved to amend the agenda to add the aforementioned resolution and adopt the remainder of the agenda, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 8 NAYS: None 0 2 City Council Regular Meeting September 3, 2025 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 - A resolution authorizing the filing of a Federal Aviation Administration grant application and authorizing the City Manager to execute a grant agreement for an Airport Infrastructure Project 3-21-005-034-25 Consent Agenda Item #8 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the Suffolk Parks and Trails Alliance to purchase three park benches Consent Agenda Item #9 - A resolution approving of the City of Suffolk’s participation in the proposed settlements of opioid-related claims against Alvogen, Amneal, Apotex, Hikema, Indivior, Mylan, Sun and Zydus, and directing the City Attorney and/or the City’s outside counsel to execute the documents necessary to effectuate the City’s participation in the settlements Consent Agenda Item #10 - A resolution approving of the City of Suffolk’s participation in the proposed direct settlements of opioid-related claims against the Sackler Family, and directing the City Attorney and/or the City’s outside counsel to execute the documents necessary to effectuate the City’s participation in the settlements Referring to Consent Agenda Items #7 through #10, Interim City Manager Hughes submitted a review of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Council Member Wright, on a motion seconded by Council Member Bennett, moved to adopt Consent Agenda Items #7 through #10, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 8 NAYS: None 0 PUBLIC HEARINGS Public Hearing – A public hearing to receive public comment on the Seaboard West segment of the Suffolk Seaboard Coastline Trail Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Christina Fisher, Principal Planner, Department of Parks and Recreation, provided a synopsis of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Pamela Brandy, 5016 Pearl Street, Chesapeake, Virginia, opined about the City of Chesapeake and the City of Suffolk boundary line. Hearing no additional speakers, the public hearing was closed. There was no action required on this matter. 3 City Council Regular Meeting September 3, 2025 ORDINANCES There were no items under this portion of the agenda. RESOLUTIONS Resolution – A resolution authorizing the filing of a Federal Aviation Administration grant application and authorizing the City Manager to execute a grant administration for an Airport Master Plan Project 3- 21-0050-035-2025 Referring to the distributed handout, Interim City Manager Hughes supplied a summation of the background information as printed in the proposed resolution. Council Member Williams, 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 Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 8 NAYS: None 0 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, September 17, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., unless cancelled, by the Mayor and the City Manager Council Member Rector, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, moved to schedule a City Council Work Session, for Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., unless cancelled, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 8 NAYS: None 0 NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS Tyler Wancowicz, 402 Collier Crescent, representing the Paw Print Project, spoke in support of strong animal protection laws. Pamela Brandy, 5016 Pearl Street, representing the Pughsville Civic League, opined about the City of Chesapeake and City of Suffolk boundary lines. Dr. Shawn Green, 3301 Nansemond Parkway, representing Nansemond River High School, spoke in support of funding for the expansion of Nansemond River High School. 4 City Council Regular Meeting September 3, 2025 Wayne White, 4216 Coltrane Avenue, representing the Pughsville Civic League, opined about various infrastructural improvements in Pughsville. Carolyn White, 4216 Coltrane Avenue, representing Pughsville Civic League, opined about integrity. NEW BUSINESS City Clerk Dawley presented the following nominations for appointment to the respective bodies: Agricultural Advisory Committee – Michael Ellis (Farm Service Agency Local Administrative Area Whaleyville/Cypress representative), effective September 18, 2025; Michael Faulk (Farm Service Agency Local Administrative Area Holy Neck representative), effective September 18, 2025; Bryan Harris (Direct Marketing Farming representative), effective September 18, 2025 and W. Michael Lane (Forest Industry representative), effective September 18, 2025; Community Policy and Management Team – Sheridan Meriweather (Private Provider Organization or Association of Providers representative); and Southeastern Public Service Authority (ex officio alternate) – Public Works Director Gregg Benton. 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 vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 8 NAYS: None 0 ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMENTS Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Multi-media Analyst Brandon Gonzalez provided a report on the following: the appointment of Interim Deputy City Manager Gerry Jones; the ribbon cuttings for Attend Homecare, Stillwater Tea, Suffolk Christian Academy Lower School and the STEM Academy at Booker T. Washington Elementary School; Wilroy Road Closures; the Suffolk Police Department’s VIN Etching Program; the Suffolk Parks and Recreation Department’s 757 Protégé Program and the upcoming Taste of Suffolk Downtown Street Festival. Council Member Butler Barlow opined about the Special Presentation from the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts. Council Member Bennett acknowledged the appointment of Interim Deputy City Manager Jones. Council Member Bennett opined about the ribbon cutting at the STEM Academy at Booker T. Washington Elementary School. Council Member Bennett opined about the importance of public notice regarding the Wilroy Road Closures. Council Member Johnson acknowledged the appointment of Interim Deputy City Manager Jones and Public Works Director Gregg Benton. Council Member Johnson opined about upcoming special events in the City. 5 City Council Regular Meeting September 3, 2025 Council Member Wright opined about the Hunger Action Month proclamation and the Special Presentation from the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts. Council Member Wright acknowledged the appointment of Interim Deputy City Manager Jones and Public Works Director Benton. Council Member Rector opined about the Taste of Suffolk Downtown Street Festival. Council Membre Rector announced that he attended the Plein Air Festival and the ribbon cutting for the STEM Academy at Booker T. Washington Elementary School. Council Member Williams reported that he attended the ribbon cutting for the STEM Academy at Booker T. Washington Elementary School. Council Member Williams acknowledged the appointment of Interim City Deputy Manager Jones and Public Works Director Benton. Vice Mayor Ward acknowledged the appointment of Public Works Director Benton. Vice Mayor Ward opined about Suffolk Fire and Rescue Station #11. Vice Mayor Ward opined about the City of Chesapeake and City of Suffolk boundary lines and sidewalks in the Pughsville area. Vice Mayor Ward opined about the 98th birthday of Pastor Naomi Chambers. Vice Mayor Ward acknowledged the appointment of Interim Deputy City Manager Jones. Mayor Duman opined about the appointment of Interim Deputy City Manager Jones and Public Works Director Benton. Mayor Duman reported that he attended the following: the ribbon cutting at the STEM Academy at Booker T. Washington Elementary School; the ribbon cutting for Attend Homecare and the ribbon cutting for Stillwater Teahouse. Mayor Duman opined about the Non-Agenda Speaker topics. Mayor Duman acknowledged City Administration for their assistance with constituent issues. Council Member Wright, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, moved to adjourn, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 8 NAYS: None 0 6 City Council Regular Meeting September 3, 2025 There being no further business to come before City Council, the regular meeting was adjourned at 8:26 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: DECEMBER 17, 2025 7