City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session November 15, 2023 Work Session of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, November 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 LeOtis L. Williams (arrived at 4:56 p.m.) Erika S. Dawley, City Clerk William E. Hutchings, Jr., City Attorney Albert S. Moor, II, City Manager ABSENT None Mayor Duman announced that Council Member Williams was delayed. RURAL BROADBAND INITIATIVES UPDATE Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Eric Collins, Spectrum Communications, submitted information about the above referenced item. Information Technology Director Charles Kiriakou supplied supplemental information. Council Member Butler Barlow asked about the availability of information about the initiative for residents without internet. Information Technology Director Kiriakou advised that residents without internet could contact his department by telephone. Council Member Butler Barlow asked if information about the initiative by would be distributed by mail. Mr. Collins reported that Spectrum would not be mailing out any information about the initiative. He added that during the first phase of the initiative Spectrum provided door hangers. Council Member Johnson called for information about the number of new homes that would impacted by the initiative. Mr. Collin that approximately 2,400 additional homes would be impacted by the initiative. Council Member Bennett queried about the availability of discounts for senior citizens. Mr. Collins replied that the Affordable Connectivity Program helps ensure that households can afford the broadband, and it is available to households with children and senior citizens. 1 City Council Work Session November 15, 2023 2045 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE – COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CENTRAL GROWTH AREA Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Planning and Community Development Director Kevin Wyne gave a report about the above referenced item. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Rector asked whether the rezoning that City Council approved on Lake Kilby Road recently would have been a candidate for a City initiated rezoning in a high growth area, such as the ones identified in the presentation. Planning and Community Development Director Wyne indicated that he could not speculate on specific scenarios. Council Member Rector asked if the City had a Residential Urban-24 Zoning District. Planning and Community Development Director Wyne replied that zoning designation exists in the mixed-use core. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Rector queried about the feasibility of narrowing the Matoaka Road site, as it relates to a smaller number of homes. Planning and Community Development Director Wyne explained that staff’s recommendations are only related to density, but site conditions might require other considerations. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Bennett requested clarification about the availability of this information to the public. Planning and Community Development Wyne stated that today’s Work Session is the first opportunity for the public to receive this information. He added that after today’s Work Session, staff will prepare a draft based on City Council’s input for public review, and it will be posted on the City’s webpage. He concluded that there will also be public meetings before a final update is presented to City Council for consideration. Council Member Butler Barlow asked if affordable housing is a part of the proposed plan. Planning and Community Development Director Wyne reported that there is a chapter about affordable housing in the proposed 2045 Comprehensive Plan. Council Member Rector opined about the inclusion of villages in the 2045 Comprehensive Plan update. Planning and Community Development Director Wyne said villages will be part of the update. 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, Fine Arts Commission, Human Services Advisory Board, Library Advisory Board, Local Board of Building Code Appeals, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Sister Cities Commission, Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, and the Tidewater Youth Services Commission. 2 City Council Work Session November 15, 2023 2. Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711(A)(3), 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, specifically, Tax Map number 10*46. 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 purposes, 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 4:56 p.m. The Closed Meeting concluded at 5:53 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: FEBRUARY 7, 2024 3