City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session February 15, 2023 Work Session of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, February 15, 2023, 4:00 p.m. PRESENT Council Members - Michael D. Duman, Mayor, presiding Lue R. Ward, Jr., Vice Mayor Leroy Bennett Shelly Butler Barlow Roger W. Fawcett Timothy J. Johnson John T. Rector Erika S. Dawley, City Clerk William E. Hutchings, Jr., City Attorney Albert S. Moor, II, City Manager ABSENT None (Council Member LeOtis Williams was excused.) Mayor Duman announced that Council Member Williams was excused from today’s Work Session. FISCAL YEAR 2024-2033 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM AND PLAN Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Finance Director Tealen Hansen gave a report about the above referenced item. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson called for information about the anticipated amount in the Information Technology Fund. Finance Director Hansen reported it is anticipated that the fund will have $1,500,000 for projects, and there will be approximately $2,000,000 in previous bond funding that was going to be used for the Computer-Aided Design project until the City received a federal grant. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson opined about the Neighborhood and Village Initiatives. Finance Director Hansen referred to pages 71 and 73 in the distributed Capital Improvement for the specific projects. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson opined about the Downtown Implementation Plan. Finance Director Hansen referred to page 76 in the distributed Capital Improvement for the specific projects. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Bennett queried about the funding for the Phoenix Bank Building. Finance Director Hansen stated there is $350,000 in the first year, and then $1,000,000 in the out years. Deputy City Manager Kevin Hughes provided additional information on the structural integrity of the building. 1 City Council Work Session February 15, 2023 Council Member Bennett called for the status of funding for Brady’s Marina. Finance Director Hansen explained that there is funding for a project to access the Nansemond River. City Manager Moor added that the property is purchased for Brady’s Marina, and the City is finalizing details with the adjacent property owners. Council Member Bennett opined about the Perpetual Care Fund for Holly Lawn Cemetery. Finance Director Hansen advised that the half of the funding source for maintenance at Holly Lawn Cemetery is from the Perpetual Care Fund. Council Member Bennett sought clarification about the use of General Fund monies for Holly Lawn Cemetery maintenance. Finance Director Hansen reported that the Perpetual Care Fund does not have enough money for anything outside of regular maintenance. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Rector inquired about the feasibility of miscellaneous roadway funding for the replacement of wooden curbs in the areas of Lakeside and Riverview. Public Works Director Robert Lewis advised that the majority of the funds in the proposed plan are from the Virginia Department of Transportation, which cannot be used for that type of project. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Rector asked about any potential connection between the City’s Route 460 funding and the Port of Virginia. City Manager Moor said that $1,000,000 in matching funds from the developer and the Port of Virginia would be used for funding the design of improvements to Route 460. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Rector called for information about the potential use of any unspent funds, as it relates to the city’s Open Space projects. Finance Director Hansen explained that any unspent funds are held until other projects arise. Council Member Rector inquired about the reliability of State funding due to declining gas tax revenues. Finance Director Hansen indicated that non-local source revenue funds programmed into the Capital Improvement Program and Plan are based on high confidence and are conservative projections. Vice Mayor Ward queried about funding for Fire Station Number Five. Finance Director Hansen reported the project has already been fully funded. Vice Mayor Ward opined about the funding for Northern Shore Elementary School improvements. Finance Director Hansen said the improvements are funded in the out years of the Capital Improvement Program and Plan Vice Mayor Ward requested clarification that the first year of funding for Suffolk Public Schools in the Capital Improvement Program and Plan is $22,000,000. Finance Director replied in the affirmative. Vice Mayor Ward asked about the status of the sidewalks on Townpoint Road. Finance Director Hansen said funding for that project is in Fiscal Year 2025 and Fiscal Year 2026 of the Capital Improvement Program and Plan. 2 City Council Work Session February 15, 2023 Vice Mayor Ward called for information about the impact of the increased cost of John F. Kennedy Middle School on the overall Capital Improvement Program and Plan. Finance Director Hansen explained that the increase in the cost of John F Kennedy Middle School shifted the funding of other projects. Capital Programs and Buildings Director Gerry Jones provided supplementary information about the Fire Station Five project. 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 Early Childhood Development Commission, Economic Development Authority, Historic Landmarks Commission, Local Board of Building Code Appeals, Tidewater Youth Services Commission, and the Wetlands Board. Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Bennett, moved that City Council convene in a closed meeting for the above referenced purposes, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Fawcett, Johnson, and Rector 7 NAYS: None 0 (Council Member Williams was excused.) City Council convened in Closed Meeting at 5:09 p.m. The Closed Meeting concluded at 5:17 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: AUGUST 16, 2023 3