City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session May 4, 2022 Work Session of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, 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 (arrived at 4:13 p.m.) 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 RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OVERVIEW: PAPER STREETS Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Planning and Community Development Assistant Director Kevin Wyne gave an update about the above referenced item. Council Member Fawcett asked Planning and Community Development Assistant Director Wyne if he knew of are any reasons why houses were built on paper streets. Planning and Community Development Assistant Director Wyne replied in the negative. Council Member Fawcett questioned Planning and Community Development Assistant Director Wyne whether he knew of any houses built on a paper streets. Planning and Community Development Director Wyne stated that he was not aware of any houses built on paper streets. City Manager Moor added two houses have been constructed on paper streets in error, but clarified it is not the City’s policy to permit houses to be built on paper streets. Council Member Fawcett solicited information about the remedy regarding the two houses that were built on paper streets. City Manager Moor said those two houses were grandfathered in. Council Member Goldberg queried about the creation of paper streets. Planning and Community Development Assistant Director Wyne advised that paper streets are created through a variety of methods, depending on the type of parcel. Council Member Goldberg inquired about the width requirements for paper streets upon their initial creation. Planning and Community Development Assistant Director Wyne replied that he could not speak to the width requirements for paper streets upon their initial creation. City Attorney Hutchings added that many of the paper streets were created over 100 years ago and not all of the rights of way were given to the City. 1 City Council Work Session May 4, 2022 Vice Mayor Bennett sought information about the City’s ability to identify a paper street prior to the construction of a home. Planning and Community Development Assistant Director Wyne stated that the City now has the ability to notify staff about the existence of a paper street when an application is submitted to construct a house. Vice Mayor Bennett opined about enforcement of the City’s regulations regarding paper streets in an equitable manner. Planning and Community Development Assistant Director Wyne replied in the affirmative. Vice Mayor Bennett asked if property owners need a survey within 90 days to receive a permit to construct a fence. Planning and Community Development Assistant Director Wyne reported that a survey seal is usually valid for six months. Council Member Butler Barlow called for clarification about the creation of new paper streets versus the existence of the older paper streets. Planning and Community Development Assistant Director Wyne explained that generally new paper streets are created when property gets a new plat, which the builder must construct. He added that other than ingress/egress easements those are the only types of paper streets that are platted. Council Member Butler Barlow queried about the street standards and City services for existing houses on paper streets. Planning and Community Development Assistant Director Wyne said that the existing houses on paper streets are grandfathered in as it relates to street standards. He added that in order to receive City services, the homeowners would need to use the nearest public street. Council Member Butler Barlow opined about the feasibility of an individual owning property on a paper street building a house, should they have neighbors with a house on a public street. Planning and Community Development Assistant Director Wyne indicated that the individual owning property on a paper street would not be able to build a house in that scenario, because they would not have the required frontage on a public street. Council Member Butler Barlow opined about the feasibility of an individual owning property on a paper street building a house, should they have neighbors with a house on a private street. Planning and Community Development Assistant Director Wyne stated that the individual owning property on a paper street would need easements from the surrounding property owner for access. Council Member Johnson requested information about the number of houses on paper streets. Planning and Community Development Assistant Director Wyne replied he was not aware of the specific number of houses on paper streets. Council Member Johnson sought information about the feasibility of the City offering financial assistance to individuals with houses on paper streets. Planning and Community Development Assistant Director Wyne said that the City Council would need to allocate funding to assist individuals with houses on paper streets upgrade their parcels to meet current standards. Council Member Johnson opined about the vacation of all City owned paper streets. Planning and Community Development Assistant Director Wyne advised that the City Council has the authority to address that matter through street vacation. 2 City Council Work Session May 4, 2022 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 the Clean Community Commission, Community Policy and Management Team, Early Childhood Development Commission, Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, Human Services Advisory Board, Local Board of Building Code Appeals, Paul D. Camp Community College Board, Sister Cities Commission, Southeastern Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program, Tidewater Youth Services Commission and Western Tidewater Water Authority; and 2. Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711(A)(3) and (A)(8) the discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real property for a public purpose, or of the disposition of publicly held real property, where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body; 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 regarding Tax Map Parcel 10*46; 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 regarding legal issues related to minor subdivision approvals. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Butler Barlow, 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 4:54 p.m. The Closed Meeting concluded at 5:57 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: NOVEMBER 2, 2022 3