City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session June 1, 2022 Work Session of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, June 1, 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 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 DISPOSITION OF PUBLIC PROPERTY Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Diane Williams, Real Estate Manager for Acquisition, gave an update about the above referenced item. Public Works Director Robert Lewis gave supplemental information. Council Member Goldberg asked about the process for turning a private street over to the City. Public Works Director Lewis replied that the property owner would be required to bring the street up to State standards. He added that they could apply to have the street taken into the public system. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett questioned the potential difference in the allocation of funding for streets in the former Nansemond County and the current City of Suffolk. Public Works Director Lewis stated that issue has been a long-standing one and at this point, it cannot be determined if there was a potential difference in the funding allocation. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett queried about the status of resolving the disparate treatment of streets in the former Nansemond County and the current City of Suffolk. Public Works Director Lewis advised that the City is in the process of addressing that matter but the completion date is unknown. City Attorney Hutchings added that in addition to the devolution agreement between the City and the Virginia Department of Transportation, there are sections of the City Code need to be clarified to address that matter. Council Member Fawcett asked about the status of obtaining all of the property needed to begin the Shoulders Hill Road Improvement Project. Public Works Director Lewis replied in the affirmative. 1 City Council Work Session June 1, 2022 Vice Mayor Bennett called for clarification about the ownership of the various alleyways in the downtown area of the City. Public Works Director Lewis explained that some of the alleyways in that area are owned by the City. He added that there are others that have been platted and the City does not have any interest. He also said that those properties not deeded by the governing body of the former Nansemond County and in those instances, the City does not have an interest and it becomes a private matter. Vice Mayor Bennett opined about the City’s course of action in those cases as outlined above. Public Works Director Lewis replied that those matters are determined on a case-by-case basis. Vice Mayor Bennett queried about the status of the Wilroy Road Improvement Project. Ms. Williams reported that the project is in the property acquisition phase. Public Works Director Lewis added that the project advertised for bids this autumn or early winter Council Member Ward opined about any advantages to the residents of Pughsville as it relates to the City owned paper streets in that area. Public Works Director Lewis said that he was unaware of any advantages or disadvantages in that scenario. Council Member Ward asked about the feasibility of building out existing paper streets. Public Works Director Lewis indicated that in order to consider building out an existing paper street, it would require improvements based on the current road standards. Mayor Duman requested information about paying landowners for easements. Public Works Director Lewis reported that the City does pay landowners for easements and the amounts are based on temporary or permanent impact to the property. Mayor Duman sought additional information about the responsibility of maintenance when the City purchases an easement from a landowner. Public Works Director Lewis indicated that in those instances, the City is responsible for maintenance. SOLAR ENERGY FACILITIES UPDATE Referring to the presentation, Deputy City Manager Kevin Hughes provided a summation of the above referenced item. Council Member Goldberg opined about the potential impact on a farmer that wanted to use their property for a solar farm. Deputy City Manager Hughes stated that as long as the property zoned, the owner could submit an application for a conditional use permit. Council Member Fawcett queried the number of solar farm conditional use permit applications submitted since the previous applications considered by City Council. Deputy City Manager Hughes said that no additional solar farm conditional use permit applications have been submitted since the last applications considered by City Council. SUMMER SPECIAL EVENTS Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Tourism Development Manager Theresa Earles supplied a review of the above referenced item. 2 City Council Work Session June 1, 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, 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, Tidewater Youth Services Commission and Western Tidewater Water Authority. Council Member Fawcett, 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 5:09 p.m. The Closed Meeting concluded at 5:14 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: DECEMBER 7, 2022 3