City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session July 21, 2021 Work Session of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, July 21, 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., City Attorney Albert S. Moor, City Manager ABSENT None AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT UPDATE Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Finance Director Tealen Hansen and Interim Deputy City Manager Kevin Hughes gave an update about the above referenced item. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Butler Barlow called for information about the timeline for the start of any projects this calendar year. City Manager Moor explained that there would be some engineering services and property acquisition during this calendar year. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett queried about the timeline for the issuance of contracts for the identified projects. City Manager Moor said that City Administration would issue the contracts for the identified projects as soon as possible. Referring to the presentation, Mayor Duman opined about the funding for the non-profit partners. City Manager Moor replied that the funding for the non-profit partners would be distributed over 5 years. SIGN ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENTS UPDATE Utilizing a PowerPoint Presentation, Interim Planning and Community Development Director Robert Goumas provided an update on the above referenced item. Referring to the presentation, Mayor Duman opined about businesses and temporary signs in the sign ordinance text amendments update. Interim Planning and Community Development Director Goumas explained that a business can display an unlimited number of temporary signs, but the signs must comply with the size regulations. 1 City Council Work Session July 21, 2021 Council Member Williams solicited information about the requirement for political signs. Interim Planning and Community Development Director Goumas replied that political signs can be displayed 60 days before the election and must be removed 15 days after the election. Referring to the presentation, Vice Mayor Bennett called for clarification about the proposed amendments as they relate to electronic message boards. Interim Planning and Community Development Director Goumas stated that under the current sign ordinance, an electronic sign can change once every 60 minutes and under the proposed sign ordinance, an electronic sign can change once every 60 seconds. Council Member Ward opined about placement of political signs. Interim Planning and Community Development Director Goumas indicated that a political sign can only be placed on private property, not in the City right of way. 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 Clean Community Commission, Clean Community Commission Keep Suffolk Beautiful Executive Board, Community Policy and Management Team, Early Childhood Development Commission, Economic Development Authority the City of Suffolk, Fine Arts Commission, Historic Landmarks Commission, Human Services Advisory Board, Library Advisory Board, Local Board of Building Code Appeals, Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, Paul D. Camp Community College Board, Sister Cities Commission, Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, The Planning Council, and Wetlands Board. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Vice Mayor Bennett, moved that City Council convene in a closed meeting for the above referenced purpose, 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 City Council convened in Closed Meeting at 4:55 p.m. The Closed Meeting concluded at 5:03 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: JANUARY 19, 2022 2