City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session November 20, 2019 Work Session of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, November 20, 2019, 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 2020 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Rob Catron, Managing Partner, Alcalde and Fay, Virginia, LLC, the City’s legislative consultant, provided a review of the above referenced item. Council Member Fawcett called for State funding for the Kings Highway Bridge. Referring to the distributed handout, Council Member Duman requested the following amendment to the proposed Legislative Agenda to include the following language as it relates to the Western Tidewater Regional Jail’s request for an increase in the partial exemption from the federal overhead recovery policy to allow it to keep the full federal per diem it receives for the first 110 federal inmates house at the facility – “the Western Tidewater Jail is requesting that the existing exemption of 76 inmates remain the same and that the State retain the per diem for inmates starting at the 76th inmate until occupancy reaches 130 federal inmates, at which time the full per diem rate would revert back to Western Tidewater Regional Jail at 131 federal inmates.” Mayor Johnson asked about the new Chair of the Virginia House of Delegates Appropriations Committee. Mr. Catron reported that Delegate Luke E. Torian, Prince William County, is the new Chair of the committee. Council Member Goldberg inquired about the process that would ensure that the State would fund the Kings Highway Bridge. Mayor Johnson explained that the City would need to gain the support from the Virginia Department of Transportation and regional transportation leaders. City Manager Roberts added that the Capital Improvement Plan Subcommittee has recommended that the City pre-designate dollars for the Kings Highway Bridge in the Capital Improvement Plan to better define the project. 1 City Council Work Session November 20, 2019 Referring to the presentation, Council Member Ward queried about the General Assembly’s action regarding Air B&B’s request regarding short term rental legislation. Mr. Canton stated that Air B&B hired a lobbyist to ask the State to create a statewide exemption to any zoning considerations for short term rentals. He added that localities opposed these efforts, and the General Assembly reaffirmed local authority to regulate these types of short term rentals. Mayor Johnson called for the need to amend the proposed Legislative Agenda to include language regarding the King’s Highway Bridge. Mr. Canton replied that all transportation projects go through the Commonwealth Transportation Board, but the City can move this project to the legislative priorities in the proposed Legislative Agenda. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett inquired about the status of the funding for the Commonwealth Rail Lane Safety relocation. Mr. Catron deferred to City Manager Roberts. City Manager Roberts said that the project has been under consideration by the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission, and it is seen as a regional long range project in connection with the widening of Interstate 664. He concluded that recently the project has become more viable, and he would recommend that the language about the project in the proposed Legislative Agenda remain as presented. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Goldberg, moved to amend the proposed Legislative Agenda to include language requesting that the State identify a funding source for the Kings Highway Bridge, 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 Council Member Duman, on a motion seconded by Council Member Fawcett, moved to amend the proposed Legislative Agenda to include the following language – “the Western Tidewater Jail is requesting that the existing exemption of 76 inmates remain the same and that the State retain the per diem for inmates starting at the 76th inmate until occupancy reaches 130 federal inmates, at which time the full per diem rate would revert back to Western Tidewater Regional Jail at 131 federal inmates”, 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 PRESENTATION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2019 COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Finance Director Tealen Hansen and Rob Churchman, Partner, Cherry Bekaert, the City’s auditors, supplied a summary about the above referenced item. 2 City Council Work Session November 20, 2019 Referring to the presentation, Council Member Duman opined about the potential impact on the City’s financial situation as it relates to the Governmental Accounting Standards Board Statement’s Number 87 regarding leases. Mr. Churchman advised the statement impacts the City’s long term financial statements. Finance Director Hansen added that staff will look at the leases on a case by case basis to determine if there is any financial impact. SUFFOLK EXECUTIVE AIRPORT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATE Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Economic Development Director Kevin Hughes gave a report on the above referenced items. 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 Agricultural Advisory Committee, Early Childhood Development Commission, Fine Arts Commission, Human Services Advisory Board, Local Board of Building Code Appeals, Tidewater Youth Services Commission and Wetlands Board; and 2. Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711(A)(3), the discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real property for a public purpose, or of the disposition of publicly held real property, where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body specifically Tax Map 44*62; Tax Map Parcel 34B*47, Lot 47 Lincoln Avenue; and, Tax Map Parcel 34G12(A)*4, 319 Newport Street; and 3. Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711(A)(5) and (7), the discussion of a prospective business or industry or the expansion of an existing business or industry where no previous announcement has been made of the business’ or industry’s interest in locating or expanding its facilities in the community; 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 Economic Development Incentive Program proposals regarding Project Sweet Pea and Project Patriot; and 4. Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711(A)(1), 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 Appointee evaluations. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Duman, 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 3 City Council Work Session November 20, 2019 City Council convened in Closed Meeting at 5:15 p.m. The Closed Meeting concluded at 6:56 p.m. Teste: _____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Linda T. Johnson, Mayor APPROVED: DECEMBER 18, 2019 4