City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session September 15, 2021 Work Session of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, September 15, 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 PLAN OF FINANCE UPDATE – VIRGINIA RESOURCES AUTHORITY REFUNDING OPPORTUNITIES Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, David Rose, Senior Vice President, Davenport and Company, the City’s financial advisors, gave an update about the above referenced item. Council Member Fawcett called for information about the recent telephone calls with the bond rating agencies. Mr. Rose explained that all three bond rating agencies gave the City positive feedback, and the City has maintained its triple A bond rating. Referring to the presentation, Mayor Duman queried about the source of the debt. Mr. Rose and City Manager Moor reported that the debt is related to the Utility Fund. CENTRAL LIBRARY PROJECT UPDATE Capital Programs and Buildings Director Gerry Jones introduced Chuck Wray, Principal, Quinn Evans, the City’s library design firm. Utilizing a PowerPoint Presentation, Mr. Wray provided a report on the above referenced item. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Goldberg asked for information about the cost per square foot of the sample library. Mr. Wray said that the sample library included in the presentation was the North East Branch Library in Cecil County, Maryland, and it cost $350.00 per square foot. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Goldberg inquired about the size of the North East Branch Library in Cecil County, Maryland. Mr. Wray stated that the library in Cecil County, Maryland is 43,000 square feet. 1 City Council Work Session September 15, 2021 Referring to the presentation, Council Member Goldberg sought clarification of a stormwater retention pond included in the North East Branch Library. Mr. Wray explained that the water feature was not a stormwater retention pond but was installed to mitigate sound in the area. Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Wray resumed the update on the Central Library Project. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Goldberg asked about the cost for the new Central Library. Mr. Wray said that it is estimated that the new Central Library will cost $400.00 per square foot. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett inquired about the inclusion of an elevator for access to the second floor in the new Central Library. Mr. Wray replied in the affirmative. Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Wray resumed the update on the Central Library Project. Capital Programs and Buildings Director Jones offered supplementary information. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Williams requested information about the future use of the current Central Library site once the new Central Library is completed. Capital Programs and Buildings Director Jones and City Manager Moor explained that at this point, no decisions have be made about the future use of the current Central Library site once the new Central Library is completed. SUFFOLK EXECUTIVE AIRPORT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATE Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Interim Economic Development Director Gregory Byrd supplied a synopsis on the above referenced item. Council Member Williams asked about the access to the aviation school at the Suffolk Executive Airport to the public. Interim Economic Development Director Byrd stated that he could reach out the owners of the aviation school to address that question. Mayor Duman announced that Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update has been postponed to a future date. 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, 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, Sister Cities 2 City Council Work Session September 15, 2021 Commission, Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, The Planning Council, Wetlands Board and Virginia Municipal League Annual Conference Business Meeting and Urban Section Meeting Voting Delegate and Alternate. Council Member Williams, 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 5:27 p.m. The Closed Meeting concluded at 5:33 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: MARCH 16, 2022 3