City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session June 21, 2023 Work Session of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, June 21, 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 LeOtis L. Williams Erika S. Dawley, City Clerk William E. Hutchings, Jr., City Attorney Albert S. Moor, II, City Manager ABSENT None LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, City Attorney Hutchings, Assistant City Attorneys Sean Dolan, Rebecca Powers, Stephanie Pough and Deputy City Attorney Thomas Mueller submitted a summary of the above referenced item. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson called for additional information about HB1674, regarding comprehensive plans and freight corridors. Assistant City Attorney Dolan said that the language is broad and addresses the location where freight corridors can be located vis-a-vis the comprehensive plan. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson sought clarification about the City’s role in designating freight corridors according to HB1674. Assistant City Attorney Dolan explained that the Planning and Community Development Department would address the granular details of designating freight corridors. He added that the legislation is broad but does not mandate that freight routes be designated. Referring to the presentation, Vice Mayor Ward queried about the process of receiving funding for African American cemeteries and graves as outlined in HB2244. City Attorney Hutchings replied that the State’s Department of Historic Resources is handing that matter, and staff can research the process and provide the information. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Bennett opined about availability of funding for any African American cemeteries and graves for all persons interred in such a cemetery prior to January 1, 1948, as referenced in HB2244. Assistant City Attorney Dolan stated that the group of markers which can be included in determining the funding is expanded. 1 City Council Work Session June 21, 2023 Referring to the presentation, Council Member Butler Barlow called for clarification about whether resilience, as used in SB1187, refers to stormwater, climate change and/or other resilience. Assistant City Attorney Dolan replied that the terms used to focus on resiliency are significant multi-hazard threats, which is broad. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett asked for additional information SB956. Deputy City Attorney Mueller advised that the legislation would allow a majority of business owners to petition to create a business improvement and recruitment district. He concluded that this would require a public hearing to institute a fee that would be used to improve that specific district. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett inquired about the amount of the assessments for a business improvement and recruitment district, as referenced in SB956. City Attorney Hutchings said that the assessments for these districts would be similar to the City’s existing special taxing districts. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett opined about the formula that would be used to determine the assessment for a business improvement and recruitment district, as referenced in SB956. City Attorney Hutchings reported that the formula used to determine the assessment for a business improvement and recruitment district would be determined by City Council. VIRGINIA CODE SECTION 58.1-3219.14 EXEMPTION FROM TAXES ON PROPERTY OF SURVIVING SPOUSES OF CERTAIN PERSONS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Senior Administrative Analyst Randah Gaitan submitted a synopsis of the above referenced item. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Bennett asked about the decline in the numbers of elderly and disabled veteran tax exemptions. Ms. Gaitan replied that she was not aware of the reasons. Council Member Rector opined about the percentage of elderly and disabled veteran tax exemptions, as it relates to the City’s entire tax base. Ms. Gaitan advised she was not aware of that information. City Manager Moor reported that it is about six cents on the tax rate. Council Member Rector queried about the impact of a tax exemption on personal property for surviving spouses of certain persons killed in the line of duty would have on the City’s Operating Budget. Ms. Gaitan said that matter has not been determined yet. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Bennett called for clarification regarding the reimbursement of taxes on property for surviving spouses of certain persons killed in the line of duty prior to January 1, 2017. Ms. Gaitan explained that qualifying spouses, whose spouses died before January 1, 2017, would receive reimbursement of taxes on up to ten acres of land and the average assessed value of residential dwellings from when the legislation was enacted by the General Assembly. 2 City Council Work Session June 21, 2023 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 Community Policy and Management Team, Early Childhood Development Commission, Economic Development Authority, Fine Arts Commission, Historic Landmarks Commission, Human Services Advisory Board, Library Advisory Board, Local Board of Building Code Appeals, Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, Planning Commission, Sister Cities Commission, Suffolk Clean Community Commission, Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Tidewater Emergency Medical Services Council and the Tidewater Youth Services Commission Council Member Fawcett, on a motion seconded by Council Member Rector, 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 Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Fawcett, Johnson, Rector and Williams 8 NAYS: None 0 City Council convened in Closed Meeting at 4:53 p.m. The Closed Meeting concluded at 5:13 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: NOVEMBER 1, 2023 3