City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session December 6, 2017 Work Session of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, December 6, 2017, 4:00 p.m. PRESENT Council Members - Linda T. Johnson, Mayor, presiding Leroy Bennett, Vice Mayor Michael D. Duman Roger W. Fawcett Donald Z. Goldberg Timothy J. Johnson Curtis R. Milteer, Sr. Lue R. Ward, Jr. Patrick G. Roberts, City Manager Helivi L. Holland, City Attorney Erika S. Dawley, City Clerk ABSENT None PRESENTATION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2017 COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT Finance Director Tealen Hansen introduced Rob Churchman, Audit Partner, Cherry Bekaert, LLP, the City’s auditors. Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Churchman offered information on the above referenced item. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Duman asked about the type of audit that Suffolk Public Schools receives. Mr. Churchman explained that the audit of Suffolk Public Schools is a component of the City’s audit. He added that it is just not a separately issued statement. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Duman opined about the audit of Suffolk Public Schools being a balance sheet test. Mr. Churchman indicated that it is a more extensive review that includes the examination of income and expenses. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Duman solicited information on any concerns about Suffolk Public Schools. Mr. Churchman reported, in the judgment of the auditors, there were no findings that would conflict with the State’s guidelines. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Duman asked whether the same State guidelines apply to both the City and Suffolk Public Schools. Mr. Churchman replied in the affirmative. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Duman inquired about the status of the City’s revenues. Referring to the distributed report, Finance Director Hansen stated that the City collected $7,200,000 over projected revenues. 1 City Council Work Session December 6, 2017 Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson called for information regarding the compliance results related to the Social Services Department. Finance Director Hansen indicated that management has implemented solutions to address the issues related to the Social Services Department. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Duman opined about the change in the net position of the Other Post-Employment Benefits trust fund. Finance Director Hansen reported that the 20% increase in the trust fund is a direct result of the trust fund’s performance and the City’s investments. DOWNTOWN INITIATIVES PLAN UPDATE Deputy City Manager D. Scott Mills introduced Jason Epley and Dan Douglas, Benchmark Planning, the City’s consultants for the downtown initiative plan. Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Douglas provided an overview on the above referenced item. Members of City Council opined about the downtown initiatives plan update. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Duman opined about the proposed new downtown festival space, as it relates to the existing TGIF Concerts at Constant’s Wharf. Mr. Douglas said that there is no foreseen conflict between the proposed new downtown festival space and the existing concert series. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Duman solicited information about the feasibility of attracting 2,000 to 3,000 visitors to the proposed new downtown festival space and the availability of parking. Mr. Douglas stated that the proposed new downtown festival space would attract that projected number of visitors and the parking would be adequate. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson inquired about the adequacy of the parking for the proposed new downtown festival space. Mr. Douglas indicated that the parking would be adequate for the proposed new downtown festival space. Vice Mayor Bennett opined about the Phoenix Bank Museum. Mr. Douglas replied that is something that could be considered in the future. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Ward queried about the source of the age demographics of potential residents to live above businesses in the downtown area. Mr. Douglas advised that information is available from the recent United States Census. Members of City Council opined about the downtown initiatives plan update. Referring to the presentation, Mayor Johnson called for clarification about the proposed residential units above businesses downtown. Mr. Douglas said that locating residential units above businesses or the new proposed library downtown are the recommendation. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Goldberg opined about the vision for the proposed new library, as it relates to improvements on East Washington Street. Mr. Douglas explained that East Washington Street has great potential that could encourage redevelopment with the appropriate improvements. Mr. Douglas suggested one of the incentives might be a proposed new library with flexible space on West Washington Street. 2 City Council Work Session December 6, 2017 Council Member Goldberg opined about the feasibility of a grocery store downtown. Mr. Douglas said that a grocery store is not feasible downtown, because there are not enough residents in the area to lure such a retailer. Vice Mayor Bennett inquired about a plan for the former Horsehoe Café. Mr. Douglas reported that the entirety of East Washington Street would be under consideration for revitalization. Members of City Council opined about the downtown initiatives plan update. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Ward asked about the area on East Washington Street that would undergo revitalization. Referring to the PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Douglas reviewed the proposed area for revitalization for the first phase. As there was no Closed Meeting, the Work Session adjourned at 6:12 p.m. Teste: _____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Linda T. Johnson, Mayor APPROVED: FEBRUARY 21, 2018 3