City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session August 18, 2021 Work Session of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, August 18, 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 RURAL DIGITAL OPPORTUNITY FUND UPDATE Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Eric Collins, Director, Government Affairs, Spectrum, gave an update about the above referenced item. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson called for information about the timeline for the expansion of broadband in the rural areas. Mr. Collins explained that mandates of the fund require full completion in six years, but 40% of the expansion must be complete in 3 years. He added that the contractor will begin its walkout within the next few weeks, and then the bids will issued for construction contractors. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson queried about the number of homes that will be impacted by the expansion of broadband in the rural areas. Mr. Collins said approximately 1,600 homes will be impacted by the expansion of broadband in the rural areas. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson opined about the expansion of broadband to lower density areas within the rural parts of the City. Mr. Collins replied that households that are within 1,000 feet of the identified areas will be included in the expansion of broadband to rural areas of the City. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Williams inquired about the methodology used to determine which households will be included in the expansion of broadband in rural areas. Mr. Collins referred to the map as included in the presentation and advised that the Federal Communication Commission has determined which households would be included in the expansion of broadband in the rural areas of the City. 1 City Council Work Session August 18, 2021 Referring to the presentation, Council Member Williams sought an explanation of the timeline for the expansion of broadband in the rural areas, specifically during the first three years of the project. Mr. Collins reiterated that the mandates of the fund require 40% of the expansion of broadband in rural areas of the City must be complete in 3 years. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Williams asked about the timeline for the walkout by the contractor. Mr. Collins reported that the contractor will begin their walkout within the next few weeks and then the bids will be issued seeking construction contractors. Referring to the presentation, Vice Mayor Bennett queried about the award of the grants to fund the expansion of broadband in the rural areas of the City. Mr. Collins advised that the grants have already been provided to fund the expansion of broadband in the rural areas of the City. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Utilizing a PowerPoint Presentation, City Attorney William Hutchings provided an update on the above referenced item. Assistant City Attorney Sean Dolan, Deputy City Attorney Karla Carter and Assistant City Attorney Stephanie Pough provided supplemental information. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Goldberg requested a copy of the presentation. Referring to the presentation, Mayor Duman called for a copy of the presentation. Council Member Goldberg inquired about the feasibility of discussing the information included in the presentation at the upcoming City Council Retreat. Mayor Duman stated that the agenda for the upcoming City Council Retreat has been established. He added that City Council can deliberate on the information included in this presentation at future City Council Work Sessions. DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES UPDATE Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Human Resources Director Robin Wynn submitted an overview on the above referenced item. Referring to the presentation, Mayor Duman sought information about the number of localities that are participating it the regional COVID-19 Mitigation Program. Human Resources Director Wynn stated that six localities in the region are participating in the mitigation program. 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 Agricultural Advisory Committee, Clean Community Commission, Clean Community Commission Keep Suffolk Beautiful Executive Board, 2 City Council Work Session August 18, 2021 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. Vice Mayor Bennett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Goldberg, 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 5:15 p.m. The Closed Meeting concluded at 5:20 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: FEBRUARY 2, 2022 3