City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session March 20, 2019 A Joint Work Session of the Suffolk City Council and the Suffolk School Board was held in the City Council Chamber on Wednesday, March 20, 2019, at 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 The following members of the Suffolk School Board were present: Phyllis Byrum, Chairman Dr. Judith Brooks-Buck, Vice Chairman Karen L. Jenkins Lorita W. Mayo David P. Mitnick Tyron D. Riddick Sherri D. Story Also present from School Administration: Dr. Deran Whitney, School Superintendent Wendell Waller, School Board Attorney Cynthia Chavis, Clerk of the School Board ABSENT None JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE SCHOOL BOARD Mayor Johnson and Ms. Byrum offered introductory remarks. Dr. Whitney advised that the presentation would include information about the approved Suffolk Public School Budget for Fiscal Year 2019-2010 and current and future capital improvement planning and projects. Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Ms. Wendy Forseman, Finance Director, Suffolk Public Schools, offered information on the approved Suffolk Public School Budget for Fiscal Year 2019-2020. 1 City Council Work Session March 20, 2019 Referring to the presentation, Council Member Goldberg called for clarification about the payment for the Pruden Center. Dr. Whitney advised that Isle of Wight County was formerly a partner with Suffolk Public Schools in the Pruden Center. Isle of Wight County has since withdrawn from the partnership, therefore, Suffolk Public Schools was required to fulfill their financial obligation and this is the second year of that obligation. Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Mr. F. Terry Napier, Facilities and Planning Director, Suffolk Public Schools, provided a report regarding current and future capital improvement planning and projects. Dr. Whitney and City Manager Roberts offered supplementary information about the formation of a work group comprised of staff from both agencies to address future capital projects, specifically as it they relates to the calculation of school capacity. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Goldberg queried about the impact of additional classrooms at Northern Shores Elementary School, as it relates to parking. Mr. Napier reported that there is additional room at the site to expand the parking area, but those improvements would require additional funding. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Ward inquired about the consideration of future growth as it relates to the addition of classrooms at Northern Shores Elementary School. Mr. Napier explained that either of the plans for the addition of classrooms at Northern Shores Elementary School factored in anticipated growth. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Ward opined about the reasoning behind consideration of two plans for the addition of classrooms at Northern Shores Elementary School. Mayor Johnson reiterated the information that Dr. Whitney and City Manager Roberts provided about the need to form a joint work group between both agencies to added future capital projects, specifically as it relates to the calculation of school capacity. She added that as future housing starts are unknown at this time, it is unclear which of the two proposed plans would preferred. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Ward asked if both of the two plans for the addition of classrooms at Northern Shores Elementary School would eliminate the need for portable classrooms. Dr. Whitney and Mr. Napier both replied in the affirmative. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Ward asked if both of the two plans for the addition of classrooms at Northern Shores Elementary School would eliminate the need for portable classrooms. Mr. Napier reiterated that under the current student projections, both plans would eliminate the need for portable classrooms. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Duman called for information about the inclusion of parking lot, cafeteria and bathroom improvements with the addition of classrooms at Northern Shores Elementary School. Mr. Napier stated that the project includes improvements to the parking lot, the cafeteria and the bathrooms. He added that the addition project does not include improvements to Repass Beach Road. 2 City Council Work Session March 20, 2019 Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson requested an explanation about the plans for the Excel Academy program and remedial academic services throughout Suffolk Public Schools. Dr. Whitney explained that the Suffolk School Board has not made a decision to regarding the original plan to establish the Excel Academy program at Driver Elementary School. He added that to address the needs of students who require remedial academic services system wide is being considered at an existing middle school. Dr. LaToya Harrison, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, provided supplementary information about this matter. Ms. Story asked about any guidelines established by the Virginia Department of Education regarding the order for classroom construction. Mr. Napier said that the Virginia Department of Education does not have any such guidelines. Members of the School Board and City Council opined about current and future needs and programing for Suffolk Public Schools and future joint work sessions. Mayor Johnson called for information about the feasibility of installing fencing around the mobile units at Northern Shores Elementary School to address security. Mr. Napier explained that while that this matter has been considered. He added that while this would keep intruders out of the mobile units, it would hinder the students’ ability to exit the mobile units in the event of an emergency. City Council recessed at 5:30 p.m. and reconvened at 5:43 p.m. CITY ASSESSOR ANNUAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, City Assessor Jean Jackson gave a synopsis about the above referenced item. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Goldberg called for clarification about the percentage of the assessed value of all parcels citywide. City Assessor Jackson stated that the assessed value of all parcels citywide has increased by 2.09%. She added that that percentage includes all new construction as of January 1, 2019. Council Member Goldberg queried about response time to citizens’ inquires. City Assessor Jackson indicated that her department generally can respond to routine citizens’ inquires within two days. She added that more complex issues may require more time to address. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett inquired about the timeline for the final reassessment report. City Assessor Jackson explained that the final reassessment report will be completed by the June 30th deadline, after the Board of Equalization completes all of its hearings. Council Member Johnson opined about the change in assessed values from January 1, 2018 to March 31, 2018, as compared to the preliminary reassessment that was submitted to City Council in March, 2018. City Assessor Jackson said that there was a significant change in the assessed values from last year’s preliminary reassessment to the final reassessment report. She added that change resulted in $154,000,000 more in values, not tax revenue. 3 City Council Work Session March 20, 2019 Referring to the presentation, Council Member Duman solicited clarification about the inclusion of new construction in the data regarding the number of transfers. City Manager Assessor Jackson stated that the data regarding the number of transfers does not include new construction as those projects were not complete by January 1st. Council Member Goldberg opined that the increase in the assessed value of all parcels citywide last year was approximately 1.99%. City Assessor Jackson replied in the affirmative. City Clerk Dawley presented the Closed Meeting motion for City Council’s consideration: 1. Pursuant to Virginia Code Sections 2.2-3711(A)(8) and (A)(1), the consultation with legal counsel employed by a public body regarding specific legal matters requiring the legal advice of such counsel, and the discussion, consideration, or interviews of prospective candidates for appointment and the assignment, appointment, and performance of specific public officers or appointees of the City, specifically the appointments as shown on the attached list for vacancies or term expirations for Early Childhood Development Commission, Senior Services of Southeast Virginia, Tidewater Youth Services Commission, and Wetlands Board. 2. Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711(A)(29)and (A)(8), the discussion of the award of a public contract involving the expenditure of public funds, including interviews of bidders or offerors, and discussion of the terms or scope of such contract, where discussion in an open session would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body; and consultation with legal counsel employed or retained by a public body regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel, specifically concerning a proposal by the Chuckatuck Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Duman, moved that City Council convene in a closed meeting for the above referenced purpose, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor L. Johnson, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Duman, Fawcett, Goldberg, T. Johnson, Milteer and Ward 8 NAYS: None 0 City Council convened in Closed Meeting at 6:03 p.m. The Closed Meeting concluded at 6:55 p.m. Teste: _____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Linda T. Johnson, Mayor APPROVED: MAY 1, 2019 4