City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session June 5, 2019 Work Session of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, June 5, 2019, 5:00 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 SOUTHEASTERN PUBLIC SERVICE AUTHORITY OVERVIEW AND HIGHLIGHTS City Manager Roberts introduced Lisel DeVary, Executive Director, Southeastern Public Service Authority. Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Ms. DeVary gave an update about the above referenced item. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Duman called for clarification about the total number of tons accepted at the Regional Landfill and the total number of tons of municipal waste generated by all of the member localities. Ms. DeVary explained that 325,000 tons of waste goes into the Regional Landfill, and it includes the ash from Wheelabrator Portsmouth. She added that 445,000 tons is the amount of municipal waste received by the Authority from its member localities. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Duman opined about the amount of tonnage that is subject to a host fee that is received by the City of Suffolk. Ms. DeVary stated that the municipal waste equates to 102,000 tons, construction debris equates to 15,000 tons and remaining tonnage is comprised of miscellaneous amounts of waste that are subject to the host fee. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Duman queried about the acceptance of commercial waste. Ms. DeVary reported that commercial waste is accepted at a cost of $51.00 per ton effective July 1, 2019 and the City receives a host fee for that waste if it is disposed of in the Regional Landfill. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Duman asked about the current host fee. Ms. DeVary is currently $4.00 per ton and will increase by 2% by July 1, 2019. She added that payments are made to the City of Suffolk every quarter based on the amount of tonnage from the prior three months, and those most recent dates are January 25, 2018, through March 30, 2019, for a total of $650,000. She added that the host fee is adjusted annually on July 1st. 1 City Council Work Session June 5, 2019 Vice Mayor Bennett sought an explanation about the Authority’s efforts to address odors as they relate to landfill leachate. Ms. DeVary replied that the leachate was not the cause of the previous odor issues at the landfill. She added that there were some capital improvements made in Cell 6 that addressed the methane levels thus resolving the issue. Council Member Fawcett queried about the transport cost associated with leachate removal. Ms. DeVary indicated that service is performed in house at a cost of .04 per gallon. Council Member Johnson opined about the Authority’s ability to effectively address the landfill leachate levels. Ms. DeVary reiterated that the Authority has taken the necessary measures to address the previously elevated landfill leachate levels. 2019 LEGISLATIVE CODE UPDATE Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, City Attorney Helivi Holland, Deputy City Attorney William Hutchings, and Assistant City Attorneys Karla Carter, Sean Dolan and Mina Sandwich offered a report on the above referenced item. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Duman asked for clarification about localities’ abilities to accept proffers not directly attributable to the specific project under consideration, as it relates to House Bill 2342/Senate Bill 1373. City Attorney Holland replied in the affirmative. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Duman opined about an applicant’s ability to submit proffers in more areas, as it relates to the House Bill 2342/Senate Bill 1373. City Attorney Holland replied in the affirmative. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Duman queried about the ability to limit the waiver of building permit fees and other local fees associated with the construction, renovation or rehabilitation of housing by a private sector entity that is pursuing an affordable housing development to specific areas of the city, as it relates to House Bill 2229. City Attorney Holland said that she was not aware if the legislation specified a particular location in a locality for the waiver of such fees and staff will research the matter further. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Duman asked for clarification of gambling defined in Senate Bill 1738. City Attorney Holland advised that the legislative history gives local law enforcement and the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney better enforcement mechanisms. Referring to the presentation regarding proffers, Mayor Johnson requested information about the provision about retroactive applications included in House Bill 2342/Senate Bill 1373. Assistant City Attorney Carter said that the provision gives applicants who are have a project in development as of July 1, 2019, the option to follow the previous law or the current law. SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMS Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Parks and Recreation Director Mark Furlo provided a summation about the above referenced item. 2 City Council Work Session June 5, 2019 Council Member Ward inquired about the cost associated with the summer youth programs. Parks and Recreation Director Furlo indicated that the programs vary in cost as some have fees and others are free. Mayor Johnson announced there was no motion for a Closed Meeting, therefore, the Work Session adjourned at 6:20 p.m. City Council would reconvene for its Regular Meeting at 7:00 p.m. Teste: _____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Linda T. Johnson, Mayor APPROVED: JULY 17, 2019 3