City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session January 20, 2021 Work Session of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, 4:00 p.m. PRESENT Council Members - Michael D. Duman, Mayor, presiding Leroy Bennett Roger W. Fawcett Donald Z. Goldberg Timothy J. Johnson Lue R. Ward, Jr. LeOtis L. Williams Albert S. Moor, Interim City Manager Helivi H. Holland, City Attorney Erika S. Dawley, City Clerk ABSENT None FISCAL YEAR 2022-2031 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM AND PLAN Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Finance Director Tealen Hansen gave an update about the above referenced item. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett called for information about any potential grant opportunities for the Suffolk Seaboard Coastline Trail. Finance Director Hansen stated that the City is continuing to seek grants for this project. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett opined about the use of the funding for the Downtown Master Plan. Interim Deputy City Manager Kevin Hughes explained that the previously allocated funding is being used for engineering and marketing services and property acquisition. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett inquired about funding the expansion of broadband services in the first year of the proposed Capital Improvements Plan. Interim City Manager Moor advised that the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funding has been extended into this year, and those monies might provide the City with an opportunity to expand broadband services into the first year of the proposed plan. He added that the City is also waiting to receive notice about its application for the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative grant. Council Member Fawcett called for an update on the status of the City’s Virginia Telecommunication Initiative grant application. Interim City Manager Moor stated that the City has not received a response regarding the status of its grant application yet. Council Member Ward opined about funding for new classrooms at Northern Shores Elementary School. Finance Director Hansen indicated that the proposed Capital Improvements Plan and Program was developed with information expected in the City and Schools facilities study, in which Suffolk Public Schools identified the Operations Facility as its priority. 1 City Council Work Session January 20, 2021 Referring to the presentation, Council Member Ward inquired about the status of the construction schedule for the College Drive Fire Station. Capital Programs and Buildings Director Gerry Jones reported that fire station is currently in the design phase, and it is anticipated that construction will be completed by the autumn of 2022. Council Member Ward solicited information about any funding for the deceleration lane for the Bernhowe Manor subdivision. Public Works Director Louis Hansen advised that the City has applied for funding from the State’s Smart Scale Program, and the project did not meet their preliminary scores for funding. Council Member Johnson opined about the status of funding for Pitchkettle Road improvements. Public Works Director Hansen and Finance Director Hansen replied that funding for those improvements were included in the previous year’s Capital Improvement Program and Plan and those improvements are fully funded. Mayor Duman sought clarification about the cost differenced from the previous estimates for the Suffolk Public Schools Operations Center. Finance Director Hansen said that the increase in the overall cost of the project as resulted in the increase in the estimates. 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, Economic Development Authority of the City of Suffolk, Fine Arts Commission, Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance, Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission, Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization, Human Services Advisory Board, Library Advisory Board, Local Board of Building Code Appeals, Southside Network Authority, Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, The Planning Council, Tidewater Emergency Medical Services Council, Wetlands Board and the Chuckatuck Borough vacancy on the City Council; and 2. 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 an EDIP proposal regarding Project Coastal. 2 City Council Work Session January 20, 2021 Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Goldberg, moved that City Council convene in a closed meeting for the above referenced purposes, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Bennett, and Council Members Fawcett, Goldberg, T. Johnson, Ward and Williams 7 NAYS: None 0 City Council convened in Closed Meeting at 5:10 p.m. The Closed Meeting concluded at 5:48 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: JULY 21, 2021 3