City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session July 20, 2022 Work Session of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, July 20, 2022, 4:00 p.m. PRESENT Council Members - Michael D. Duman, Mayor, presiding Leroy Bennett, Vice Mayor Shelley Butler Barlow Donald Z. Goldberg Lue R. Ward, Jr. LeOtis L. Williams Erika S. Dawley, City Clerk William E. Hutchings, Jr., City Attorney Albert S. Moor, City Manager ABSENT Roger W. Fawcett (excused) Timothy J. Johnson (excused) Mayor Duman announced that Council Member Roger Fawcett and Council Member Timothy Johnson were excused from today’s Work Session. SHENTEL TELECOMMUNCATIONS OVERVIEW Deputy City Manager Kevin Hughes introduced Donald Gibson, Director of Sales, and Danny Agee, Network Planning Manager, Shentel Telecommunications. Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Gibson gave an update about the above referenced item. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Goldberg called for clarification about the process to become a Shentel customer. Mr. Gibson stated that any resident who has access to the fiber could become a Shentel customer. Council Member Goldberg asked about the establishment of a local Shentel Telecommunications Sales Office. Mr. Gibson said that Shentel Telecommunications will not have a local sales office. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Goldberg sought information about the location to receive information regarding services provided by Shentel Telecommunications. Mr. Gibson replied that the staff installing the service will address all service questions. Mayor Duman opined about the number of households that will be added with the expansion of Shentel Telecommunications’ services. Mr. Gibson reported that at this point, he cannot predict how many households will be served with the expansion of Shentel Telecommunitions’ services. Mayor Duman queried about the process for the expansion of fiber infrastructure by Shentel Telecommunications. Mr. Gibson indicated that the neighborhoods closest to the point of presence will probably get service first, and the buildout will continue from there. 1 City Council Work Session July 20, 2022 Council Member Ward called for clarification about the methodology for Shentel Telecommunications’s use of City property for the point of presence location. Mr. Gibson stated that Shentel Telecommunications will be leasing property from the City for the point of presence location. FINANCIAL UPDATE Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Finance Director Tealen Hansen submitted a report on the above referenced item. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Goldberg queried about any changes in methodology from the bond rating agencies as it relates to determining a locality’s financial health. Finance Director Hansen advised that from time to time the bond rating agencies modify their methodologies when determining a locality’s financial health. She added, at this time, the bond rating agencies will use the current guidelines when determining the City’s bond rating. 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, Sister Cities Commission, Tidewater Youth Services Commission, and Western Tidewater Water Authority. 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 Goldberg, Ward and Williams 6 NAYS: None (Council Member Fawcett and Council Member Johnson were excused.) 0 City Council convened in Closed Meeting at 4:46 p.m. The Closed Meeting concluded at 5:10 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: FEBRUARY 1, 2023 2