City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session September 4, 2019 Work Session of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, 5:30 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 Mayor Johnson announced that City Manager Roberts had an additional item for the Work Session. City Manager Roberts introduced Deputy Fire Chief Brian Spicer, who utilized a PowerPoint presentation and gave an update on the status of Hurricane Dorian. FIRE DEPARTMENT’S COMMERCIAL BUILDING INSPECTION OVERVIEW Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Fire Chief Michael Barakey gave an update about the above referenced item. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Duman asked if the businesses that receive an annual inspection from the Social Services Department are required to have inspections by the Fire Department. Fire Chief Barakey replied in the affirmative. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Duman called for clarification about any state mandate that would require a business outside of those inspected by the Social Services Department to have an annual inspection by the Fire Department. Fire Chief Barakey explained that while there is no such state mandate requiring an annual inspection by the Fire Department, it is responsibility of a locality to ensure that business owners maintain facilities that are safe for the public. Referring to the presentation, Mayor Johnson inquired about the number of fire inspections that are a result of state mandates. Fire Chief Barakey replied that approximately 200 fire inspections are result of state mandates. Fire Marshal Charles Chapin added that there are required annual inspections of fire protection systems performed by private fire suppression companies. He concluded that once those inspections are completed, the Suffolk Fire Department receives reports of any issues of concern and will then ensure that the businesses are in compliance. 1 City Council Work Session September 4, 2019 Vice Mayor Bennett queried about any requirement for older buildings to install fire suppression systems. Fire Chief Barakey replied in the negative. Fire Marshal Chapin added that the Statewide Building Code and the State Fire Code work together to address any type of retrofit of an existing building would be protected if the use of the building changed. Referring to the presentation, Vice Mayor Bennett called for a copy of the presentation. HAMPTON ROADS REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY RING Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Information Technology Ken Beam offered a report on the above referenced items. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson sought information about the funding for the regional connectivity ring. Information Technology Director Beam explained that the project is in the design phase, and then the request for proposals will be prepared. He added that the funding would need to be determined. City Manager Roberts also offered that the funding for the design phase has been divided among the five member localities. He concluded that a funding mechanism for the construction of the project will be determined by the authority in the coming months. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson called for an explanation about the relationship between the regional connectivity ring and citywide broadband services. City Manager Roberts stated that the initial goal is to connect a number of targeted public facilities to broadband service in order to share data among all five cities. He concluded that the ultimate goal would be to attract private companies to invest in future expansion of broadband service. City Manager Roberts reviewed the process regarding appointments to the authorities used by the other member localities. CLOSED MEETING 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, Human Services Advisory Board, Local Board of Building Code Appeals, Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, Planning Council, Sister Cities Commission, Southside Network Authority, Suffolk Clean Community Commission, Tidewater Emergency Medical Services, Tidewater Youth Services Commission, and Wetlands Board. 2 City Council Work Session September 4, 2019 Council Member Milteer, on a motion seconded by Vice Mayor Bennett, moved that City Council convene in a closed meeting for the above referenced purposes, 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 6:14 p.m. The Closed Meeting concluded at 6:21 p.m. Teste: _____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Linda T. Johnson, Mayor APPROVED: OCTOBER 2, 2019 3