City Council Meeting Agendas

City Council Regular Meeting September 17, 2025 Regular Meeting of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, September 17, 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 M. 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 17, 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 Bennett, 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 17, 2025, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.2-3712 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA (1950), AS AMENDED 1 City Council Regular Meeting September 17, 2025 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Vice Mayor Ward, on a motion seconded by Council Member Johnson, moved to approve the minutes from the May 21, 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 – 2025 Suffolk Peanut Festival Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Tourism Manager Theresa Earles and Billy Cooper, Co-Chair, Suffolk Peanut Festival, offered remarks about the above-mentioned item. Mayor Duman queried about volunteer opportunities for Suffolk Peanut Festival. Tourism Manager Earles said that individuals interested in volunteering at the Suffolk Peanut Festival can contact Suffolk Festivals. 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 Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 8 NAYS: None 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 the Federal Aviation Administration for the T-Hanger G project at the Suffolk Executive Airport Consent Agenda Item #9 - An ordinance to appropriate funds from the Stormwater Unrestricted Fund Balance to fund Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Stormwater Capital Projects Referring to Consent Agenda Items #7 through #9, Interim City Manager Hughes submitted a review of the background information as printed in the official agenda. 2 City Council Regular Meeting September 17, 2025 Council Member Bennett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Butler Barlow, 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, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 8 NAYS: None 0 PUBLIC HEARINGS Public Hearing - An ordinance to grant a Conditional Use Permit to establish an Accessory Dwelling Unit, Detached, on property located at 4236 Rivercliff Crescent, Zoning Map 19G(2), Parcel 34; Account Number 303276160; CUP2025-006 Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Planning and Community Development Director Kevin Wyne provided a summary of the background information as printed in the official agenda. Gerald Mason, 4236 Rivercliff Crescent, applicant and property owner, spoke in support of the proposed ordinance, as presented. Hearing no additional speakers, the public hearing was closed. Council Member Wright, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, moved to approve the ordinance, with conditions, 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 AN ORDINANCE TO GRANT A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT TO ESTABLISH AN ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT, DETACHED, ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 4236 RIVERCLIFF CRESCENT, ZONING MAP 19G(2), PARCEL 34; ACCOUNT NUMBER 303276160; CUP2025-006 ORDINANCES There were no items under this portion of the agenda. RESOLUTIONS Resolution - A resolution of the City Council of the City of Suffolk, Virginia, supporting income set- asides above 100% of the area median income for the Peanut Crossing-Phase II Project, and making the determination required by Section 15.2-2201 of the Code of Virginia Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Economic Development Director Janet Days offered a summary of the background information as printed in the official agenda. 3 City Council Regular Meeting September 17, 2025 Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Wright, 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 THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SUFFOLK, VIRGINIA, SUPPORTING INCOME SET-ASIDES ABOVE 100% OF THE AREA MEDIAN INCOME FOR THE PEANUT CROSSING-PHASE II PROJECT, AND MAKING THE DETERMINATION REQUIRED BY SECTION 15.2-2201 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA Resolution - A resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a First Amendment to the Agreement for Use and Support of a Solid Waste Disposal System and to Amend Resolution Number 16-R-021 Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Interim City Manager Hughes submitted a summation of the above referenced item. Referring to the presentation, Mayor Duman asked for a summary about using one can for recyclables and landfill refuse. Interim City Manager Hughes explained that under a single can system, both recyclables and landfill refuse would be deposited into the same can and separated at the refuse facility. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Bennett inquired whether the measure has a provision to enable a locality to leave the authority. Interim City Manager Hughes said not that he was aware. He concluded waste disposal works on economies of scale, and it would be cost prohibitive for the City to provide the service on its own. Council Member Rector, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, 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 AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT FOR USE AND SUPPORT OF A SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL SYSTEM AND TO AMEND RESOLUTION NUMBER 16-R-021 STAFF REPORT Staff Report - Significant Land Use Application Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Planning and Community Development Director Wyne offered a report on the background information as printed in the official agenda. 4 City Council Regular Meeting September 17, 2025 Staff Report - Lead Water Service Line Field Verification Update Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Public Utilities Director Paul Retel offered a report on the background information as printed in the official agenda. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Rector asked whether the pipe next to the meter could indicate the amount of lead that has comprised the water line. Public Utilities Director Retel advised that while that is a possibility, there are other ways to determine the amount of lead in a given water line. Council Member Rector inquired about the potential solutions if water lines need to be replaced. Public Utilities Director Retel said the corrections would be undertaken after the field verification. Council Member Rector asked whether it was possible for lead solder on a water line to leach into the water. Public Works Director Retel answered in the affirmative but not enough to require replacement of a water line. MOTIONS Motion - A motion to schedule a City Council Retreat for 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 9 - Friday, October 10, 2025, at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Butler Barlow, moved to schedule a City Council Retreat for 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 9 - Friday, October 10, 2025, at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, 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 Motion - A motion to schedule a City Council Work Session, for Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., unless canceled by the Mayor and the Interim City Manager Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Rector, moved to schedule a City Council Work Session, for Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., unless canceled by the Mayor and the Interim City Manager, 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 Travis McKinney, 2804 Lake Cahoon Drive, representing self, opined about free speech at public events. 5 City Council Regular Meeting September 17, 2025 NEW BUSINESS City Clerk Dawley presented the nomination of Shelly Stewart for appointment to the Human Services Advisory Board. Council Member Rector, on a motion seconded by Council Member Johnson, moved to nominate and appoint the aforementioned individual to the above-mentioned body, 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 and a video, Communications Director Jennifer Moore provided a report on the following: ribbon cutting for the Harbour View Nail Spa and Suffolk Fire Station #11; the Finance Department’s receipt of the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Finance Reporting and Outstanding Achievement in Popular Annual Finance Report awards from the Government Finance Officers Association; the Communications Department’s receipt of the City-County Communications and Marketing Association 2025 Award of Excellence; the Beginning Farm Finance and Conservation Seminar; the Keep Suffolk Beautiful Nansemond River Cleanup; the Taste of Suffolk recap and the availability of the Public Safety Portal. Council Member Wright acknowledged Public Utilities Director Retel for his assistance with a constituent issue. Council Member Williams reported various infrastructural concerns in the Whaleyville Borough. Council Member Williams called for an update on the Factory Street paving. Council Member Butler Barlow acknowledged the Communications Department for their assistance with a public service announcement regarding farm equipment safety. Council Member Butler Barlow opined about the Beginning Farm Finance and Conservation Seminar. Council Member Bennett reported drainage issues at the Holland Landfill on Nansemond Parkway. Council Member Bennett queried about the timeline for the stoplight on Wilroy Road in the Shingle Creek area. Public Utilities Director Retel advised that the stoplight should be installed by October 20th or October 21st. Council Member Bennett opined about the new traffic pattern at Nansemond Parkway and Sleepy Hole Road. Council Member Bennett announced that he attended the Taste of Suffolk. Council Member Bennett reported illegal dumping behind the Food Lion on Portsmouth Boulevard. 6 City Council Regular Meeting September 17, 2025 Council Member Bennett extended his condolences to Planning Commissioner Anita Hicks on the passing of her mother. Council Member Johnson announced that he attended the Taste of Suffolk. Council Member Johnson reported that he will attending the Rotary Club of Suffolk’s First Citizen Award event honoring Joyce Trump. Vice Mayor Bennett announced that he attended the ribbon cutting for Suffolk Fire Station #11. Mayor Duman reported that he attended the following: the ribbon cutting for Harbour View Nail Salon; the National Night Out Appreciation Reception; the proclamation presentation for Constitution Week; the 2025 Plein Air Wet Paint Sale and Soiree and the 93rd birthday celebration of Pastor Naomi Chambers. 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, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 8 NAYS: None 0 There being no further business to come before City Council, the regular meeting was adjourned at 7:34 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, Deputy City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor\ APPROVED: JANUARY 7, 2026 7