City Council Meeting Packets

City Council Regular Meeting August 20, 2014 Regular Meeting of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber on Wednesday, August 20, 2014, at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT Council Members - Linda T. Johnson, Mayor Charles F. Brown, Vice Mayor Michael D. Duman Roger W. Fawcett Jeffrey L. Gardy Curtis R. Milteer, Sr. Charles D. Parr, Sr. Lue R. Ward, Jr. Selena Cuffee-Glenn, City Manager Helivi L. Holland, City Attorney Erika S. Dawley, City Clerk ABSENT None CALL TO ORDER/INVOCATION/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Johnson called the meeting to order. Vice Mayor Brown offered the Invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT CERTIFICATION City Clerk Dawley presented a resolution certifying the Closed Meeting of August 20, 2014, pursuant to Section 2.2-3712 of the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Duman, moved that the resolution be approved, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Duman, Fawcett, Gardy, Milteer, Parr, Ward, Brown and Johnson 8 NAYS: None 0 A RESOLUTION OF CERTIFICATION OF THE CLOSED MEETING OF AUGUST 20, 2014, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.2-3712 OF THE CODE OF VIRGINIA (1950), AS AMENDED 1 City Council Regular Meeting August 20, 2014 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Council Member Gardy, on a motion seconded by Council Member Duman, moved to approve the minutes from the July 2, 2014, and the July 16, 2014, Work Sessions and Regular Meetings, by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Duman, Fawcett, Gardy, Milteer, Parr, Ward, Brown and Johnson 8 NAYS: None 0 SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Special Presentation - Presentation on the City’s AAA Credit Rating Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, David Rose, Senior Vice President, Davenport and Company, the City’s financial advisors, provided a summary of the distributed handout. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Parr asked how long it took for the bonds to sell. Mr. Rose said that the bonds were sold through a competitive sale with multiple bidders at 11 a.m.. Special Presentation - Report from the Suffolk Sister Cities Commission Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Mary Anne Persons, Suffolk Sister Cities Commission, and Rodney McEthan offered brief remarks. Special Presentation - Suffolk Relay for Life Golf Tournament Major Clyde Patterson introduced Heather Powell, Relay for Life, who offered brief remarks and joined Mayor Johnson for the check presentation. REMOVAL OF ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA Mayor Johnson asked if any members of City Council wished to remove any of the Consent Agenda items for separate action. Hearing no requests for removal of any items, Mayor Johnson advised that a motion was in order at this time to adopt the agenda as outlined. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Duman, moved to adopt the agenda as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Duman, Fawcett, Gardy, Milteer, Parr, Ward, Brown and Johnson 8 NAYS: None 0 AGENDA SPEAKERS There were no speakers under this portion of the agenda. 2 City Council Regular Meeting August 20, 2014 CONSENT AGENDA City Clerk Dawley presented the following items: Consent Agenda Item #7 – An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program funding from the Virginia Department of Transportation for the Harbour View Area Signal Improvements Project Consent Agenda Item #8 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for the Suffolk Victim/Witness Assistance Program Consent Agenda Item #9 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Aviation for the Suffolk Executive Airport Consent Agenda Item #10 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the Virginia Department of Forestry for the Long Leaf Reforestation Project for the Department of Parks and Recreation Consent Agenda Item #11 - An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services for the Fifth Judicial District Community Corrections Program Consent Agenda Item #12 - A resolution authorizing the City to maintain personal injury and property damage insurance as required by the Virginia Department of Transportation to allow the City to perform work within the property limits of the Commonwealth of Virginia Highway Systems Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Duman, moved to approve the Consent Agenda, as presented, by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Duman, Fawcett, Gardy, Milteer, Parr, Ward, Brown and Johnson 8 NAYS: None 0 PUBLIC HEARINGS There were no items under this portion of the agenda. ORDINANCES Ordinance - An ordinance to accept and appropriate funds from the Virginia Department of Transportation for the design and construction of the Shoulders Hill Road Reconstruction Project and to allocate a portion of the funds to fund other projects Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Public Works Director Eric Nielsen supplied a summary of the background information as printed in the official agenda. 3 City Council Regular Meeting August 20, 2014 Vice Mayor Brown, on a motion seconded by Council Member Gardy, moved to approve the ordinance, by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Duman, Fawcett, Gardy, Milteer, Parr, Ward, Brown and Johnson 8 NAYS: None 0 AN ORDINANCE TO ACCEPT AND APPROPRIATE FUNDS FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE SHOULDERS HILL ROAD RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT AND TO ALLOCATE A PORTION OF THE FUNDS TO FUND OTHER PROJECTS RESOLUTIONS There were no items under this portion of the agenda. STAFF REPORTS There were no items under this portion of the agenda. MOTIONS Motion - A motion to schedule a Work Session for September 3, 2014, at 4:00 p.m., unless cancelled Council Member Gardy, on motion seconded by Council Member Parr, moved to schedule a Work Session for September 3, 2014, at 4:00 p.m., unless cancelled, by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Duman, Fawcett, Gardy, Milteer, Parr, Ward, Brown and Johnson 8 NAYS: None 0 NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS There were no speakers under this portion of the agenda. NEW BUSINESS Mayor Johnson asked City Clerk Dawley if there were any New Business items for consideration. City Clerk Dawley presented the following nomination for consideration: Hampton Roads Planning District Commission – Mayor Johnson and City Manager Cuffee-Glenn. Council Member Parr, on a motion seconded by Vice Mayor Brown, moved to nominate and appoint the aforementioned individuals, by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Duman, Fawcett, Gardy, Milteer, Parr, Ward, Brown and Johnson 8 NAYS: None 0 4 City Council Regular Meeting August 20, 2014 City Clerk Dawley presented the following item for consideration: 2014 Virginia Municipal League Annual Business meeting delegates – Council Member Fawcett (voting delegate) and Council Member Milteer (alternate). Council Member Parr, on a motion seconded by Council Member Gardy, moved to nominate and appoint the aforementioned individuals, by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Duman, Fawcett, Gardy, Milteer, Parr, Ward, Brown and Johnson 8 NAYS: None 0 Council Member Fawcett asked about the status of Suffolk Public School’s pay and classification study. Finance Director Lenora Reid advised that the Request for Proposals was published on August 6, 2014, and the deadline is in September. Mayor Johnson asked about the length of time required to complete the study. Council Member Gardy, on a motion seconded by Council Member Parr, moved to direct City Manager Cuffee-Glenn to identify and utilize funds, not to exceed $196,100, within the existing Utility Fund and/or another appropriate cash funded account to cover the payment of connection and availability charges for the customers, currently connected to the City’s Village of Holland water distribution system, who have previously been served a water system identified by the Virginia Department of Health as a high fluoride system, permitting the transition of the City’s central distribution system in compliance with the Virginia Department of Health Consent Order, was approved by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Duman, Fawcett, Gardy, Milteer, Parr, Ward, Brown and Johnson 8 NAYS: None 0 ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMENTS Utilizing PowerPoint and video presentations, Media and Community Relations Manager Timothy Kelley reported on the following items: National Night Out; National Night Out Community Awards Ceremony; Suffolk Police Department Badge Pinning Ceremony; Parks and Recreation Department Teen Summit; Suffolk Humane Society Adopt-a-thon; the City’s observance of Labor Day; Friends of the Library Book Sale; recognition of the City’s participation in the American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure; tour of the Elizabeth River Crossing Project; new traffic signal at Pioneer Road and Route 58; the increase of train speed in downtown; technology training offered by the Libraries; 2014 Summer Work Success Program; the availability of mosquito dunks; and methods to report city maintenance concerns. Council Member Milteer indicated that there was truck traffic on Deer Road, which is prohibited. Council Member Duman reported he attended: National Night Out; Boy Scouts of America Breakfast; Nansemond Indian Pow Wow; TGIF Concerts; and New Teacher Welcome Breakfast. Council Member Duman opined about the City’s AAA bond rating from Standard & Poors. Council Member Duman talked about a new ambulance and the new mass transit routes. 5 City Council Regular Meeting August 20, 2014 Council Member Duman announced the upcoming Suffolk Humane Society Pet Pantry. Council Member Duman offered comments about the upcoming retirement of Commissioner of the Revenue Thomas Hazelwood. Council Member Ward reported he attended National Night Out. Council Member Ward expressed his appreciation to City Administration for assistance on Old College Drive and the installation of the sign at the former Rosenwald School in Huntersville. Council Member Ward reported he attended the following: New Teacher Welcome Breakfast; Summer Work Success Program Closing Ceremony; and the Nansemond Indian Pow Wow. Council Member Ward opined about the upcoming retirement of Commissioner of the Revenue Thomas Hazelwood. Council Member Fawcett reported he attended the following: National Night Out; Virginia Department of Transportation Route 460 town meeting; TGIF Concerts; Boy Scouts of America Breakfast; and Peanut Fest Queen Reception Council Member Fawcett thanked the Sister Cities Commission. Council Member Fawcett opined about the upcoming retirement of Commissioner of the Revenue Thomas Hazelwood. Council Member Gardy spoke about the upcoming retirement of Commissioner of the Revenue Thomas Hazelwood. Council Member Parr sought an update about the closure of the local Virginia Employment Commission office. City Manager Cuffee-Glenn replied that there is no new information, but Delegate S. Chris Jones is making inquiries on behalf of the City. Council Member Parr reported he attended the New Teacher Welcome Breakfast and the Summer Work Success Program Closing Ceremony. Council Member Parr opined about the City’s AAA bond rating by Standard & Poors. Vice Mayor Brown reported he attended the Summer Work Success Program Closing Ceremony and National Night Out. Vice Mayor Brown opined about the City’s AAA bond rating by Standard & Poors. Mayor Johnson reported she attended National Night Out. Mayor Johnson advised she will tape an episode of “On the Scene” regarding the City’s bond rating. Mayor Johnson opined about the City’s quality of life. 6 City Council Regular Meeting August 20, 2014 Mayor Johnson reported she participated in the Suffolk Fire Department’s Muscular Dystrophy Association “Fill the Boot” fundraiser. Mayor Johnson encouraged residents to participate in Suffolk’s Million Steps Challenge. Mayor Johnson reported she participated in the Virginia Department of Elections’ Mobile Voter Identification Drive and a tour of the Elizabeth River Crossing Project. Mayor Johnson opined about the following upcoming activities and projects: Home-a-rama; Taste of Suffolk; and the new Bennett’s Creek Recreation Center. Mayor Johnson welcomed all of the new teachers. Mayor Johnson advised she attended the Summer Work Success Program Closing Ceremony. Vice Mayor Brown opined about options for high school dropouts. Mayor Johnson advised that the installation of the sign for the former Rosenwald School in Huntersville is September 6th. Mayor Johnson announced the upcoming Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission meeting. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Duman, moved to adjourn, by the following vote: AYES: Council Members Duman, Fawcett, Gardy, Milteer, Parr, Ward, Brown and Johnson 8 NAYS: None 0 There being no further business to come before City Council, the regular meeting was adjourned at 9:16 p.m. Teste: ________________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, City Clerk Approved: ____________________________________________ Linda T. Johnson, Mayor APPROVED: SEPTEMBER 3, 2014 7