City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session July 17, 2019 A Joint Work Session of the Suffolk City Council and the Suffolk School Board was held in the City Council Chamber on Wednesday, July 17, 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 Sherri D. Story Also present from School Administration: Dr. LaToya Harrison, Interim School Superintendent Wendell Waller, School Board Attorney Cynthia Chavis, Clerk of the School Board ABSENT Tyron Riddick JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE SCHOOL BOARD Mayor Johnson and Ms. Byrum offered introductory remarks. Utilizing the distributed handout, Ms. Byrum provided an overview of the Suffolk Public Schools 2018-2019 highlights. Dr. Harrison gave supplementary comments. Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, City Manager Roberts offered information on the proposed school facilities study. 1 City Council Work Session July 17, 2019 Referring to the presentation, Mr. Mitnick called for clarification about the potential impact of the proposed study on the upcoming Capital Improvement Plan. City Manager Roberts explained that within the next 30 to 90 days City and School Administrations must develop the next Capital Improvement Plan with the information that is currently available. He added that proposed study would probably not be complete until next spring; therefore, it would have little impact on the next Capital Improvement Plan. Referring to the presentation, Mr. Mitnick requested a copy of the presentation. City Manager Roberts said that copies of the presentation are available. Referring to the presentation, Mayor Johnson sought a review of the timeline for the proposed study. City Manager Roberts stated that staff will prepare a request for proposals to receive bids from vendors to conduct the proposed study. He added that process generally takes 30 to 45 days and that by late fall, a vendor should be selected and a plan could be presented to both City Council and the School Board by the next spring. Referring to the distributed handout, Council Member Ward inquired about the schools that failed to receive State accreditation. Dr. Harrison reported that Booker T. Washington Elementary School and Mack Benn Elementary School both received partial accreditation status from the State. Members of the School Board and City Council opined about proposed study. Mayor Johnson announced that there are two remaining items on the Work Session agenda: Item #2 - Presentation pertaining to the Creation of No Wake Zones and Item #3 – Fiscal Impact of Real Estate Tax Exemptions for Surviving Spouses of Certain Emergency Service Providers. She added that for the sake of time, a motion would be appropriate to move Item #3 from the Work Session to the Regular Agenda under Staff Reports. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Duman, moved to amend the Work Session Agenda to move Item #3 – Fiscal Impact of Real Estate Tax Exemption for Surviving Spouses of Certain Emergency Service Providers to the Regular Meeting Agenda under Staff Reports, by the following vote: AYES: Mayor L. Johnson, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Duman, Fawcett, Goldberg, T. Johnson, Milteer and Ward 8 NAYS: None 0 NO WAKE ZONES ALONG NAVIGABLE WATERWAYS Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Deputy City Manager D. Scott Mills gave a synopsis about the above referenced item. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett called for clarification about signage for the No Wake Zone on the Nansemond River, near Bennett’s Creek and north of the James River. 2 City Council Work Session July 17, 2019 Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett opined about aircraft, as it relates to the No Wake Zone, near Decoys Restaurant. Deputy City Manager Mills said that matter can be addressed under the definitions of the City Code requirements for No Wake Zones. He added that he thought that there was a sign for the No Wake Zone on the Nansemond River, near Bennett’s Creek, north of the James River. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Duman queried about the timeline for action on No Wake Zones. Deputy City Manager Mills replied that at the August 21, 2019, City Council meeting, staff will present an ordinance regarding No Wake Zones and an application process for a No Wake Zones. Vice Mayor Bennett opined about docks in new housing developments and potential future applications for No Wake Zones. Deputy City Manager Mills indicated that there will be at least two applications from new housing developments in the future. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett inquired about the penalties for violations in a No Wake Zones. Deputy City Manager Mill said that a violation in a No Wake Zone is a Class Four misdemeanor. Referring to the presentation, Mayor Johnson asked about enforcement in No Wake Zones. Deputy City Manager Mills explained that locally established No Wake Zones are enforced by local law enforcement, and No Wake Zones established by Game and Inland Fisheries Department or Coast Guard can be enforced by anyone. 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, Fine Arts Commission, Historic Landmarks Commission, Human Services Advisory Board, Library Advisory Board, Local Board of Building Code Appeals, Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, Planning Commission, Planning Council, Senior Services of Southeast Virginia, Sister Cities Commission, Suffolk Clean Community Commission, Suffolk Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board of Commissioners, Tidewater Emergency Medical Services, Tidewater Youth Services Commission, and Wetlands Board; and 2. Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711(A)(1), the assignment, appointment, and performance of specific public officers or appointees of the City, specifically the performance evaluation of the City Manager. 3 City Council Work Session July 17, 2019 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 5:25 p.m. The Closed Meeting concluded at 6:25 p.m. Teste: _____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Linda T. Johnson, Mayor APPROVED: AUGUST 21, 2019 4