City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session March 17, 2021 Work Session of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, March 17, 2021, 4:00 p.m. PRESENT Council Members - Michael D. Duman, Mayor, presiding Leroy Bennett, Vice Mayor Shelley Butler Barlow Roger W. Fawcett Donald Z. Goldberg Timothy J. Johnson Lue R. Ward, Jr. LeOtis L. Williams Erika S. Dawley, City Clerk William E. Hutchings, Jr., Interim City Attorney Albert S. Moor, Interim City Manager ABSENT None CITY ASSESSOR’S ANNUAL REPORT Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, City Assessor Holt Butt gave an update about the above referenced item. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Goldberg opined about the impact of the non-taxable property on the City’s overall financial standing. City Assessor Butt reported that the City is not largely financially impacted by non-taxable property. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Goldberg queried about the participation rate in the senior citizen tax relief program. City Assessor Butt advised that there is an average level of participation in the senior citizen tax relief program, and the participation in the disabled veteran’s tax relief program is increasing. Referring to the presentation, Mayor Duman called for clarification about the type of transfers that occurred over the past year. City Assessor Butt explained that the transfers over the past year include both new and existing properties. Mayor Duman asked if the report includes assessment of Amazon. City Assessor Butt reported that the report does not include that data but will be included after July 1st. STORMWATER UTILITY FUND UPDATE Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Public Works Director Louis Hansen and Finance Director Tealen Hansen supplied a summation about the above referenced item. 1 City Council Work Session March 17, 2021 Referring to the presentation, Council Member Goldberg asked about the cause of the flooding on Wilson Street. Public Works Director Hansen advised that the age of the infrastructure, railroad upgrades and development have caused the flooding in that area. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson opined about the feasibility of developers paying more stormwater fees for infrastructural improvements. Public Works Director Hansen stated that the stormwater utility fund is required to address the stormwater requirements. He added that that the City needs more revenue to address the increasing drainage for aging infrastructure in established neighborhoods. 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 Agriculture Advisory Committee, Early Childhood Development Commission, Economic Development Authority the City of Suffolk, Human Services Advisory Board, Local Board of Building Code Appeals, Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, The Planning Council, Western Tidewater Water Authority, Wetlands Board; and the Chuckatuck Borough vacancy on the City Council; and 2. Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711(A)(7), consultation with legal counsel and briefings by staff members or consultants pertaining to actual or probable litigation, where such consultation or briefing in open meeting would adversely affect the negotiating or litigating posture of the public body, specifically the matter of Chuckatuck Volunteer Fire Department v. the City of Suffolk; and 3. Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711(A)(8), 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 the role of City Council in Public School funding Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Johnson, 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 Butler Barlow Fawcett, Goldberg, Johnson, Ward and Williams 8 NAYS: None 0 2 City Council Work Session March 17, 2021 City Council convened in Closed Meeting at 4:56 p.m. The Closed Meeting concluded at 5:58 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 3