City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session February 7, 2024 Work Session of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, 4:00 p.m. PRESENT Council Members - Michael D. Duman, Mayor, presiding Lue R. Ward, Jr., Vice Mayor Leroy Bennett Shelley Butler Barlow Timothy J. Johnson John T. Rector LeOtis L. Williams Erika S. Dawley, City Clerk William E. Hutchings, Jr., City Attorney Albert S. Moor, City Manager ABSENT None (Council Member Roger Fawcett was excused.) Mayor Duman announced that Council Member Fawcett was excused from today’s Work Session. FISCAL YEAR 2025-2034 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM AND PLAN Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Interim Budget Director Charles Meek gave a report about the above referenced item. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Williams requested a copy of the pie charts included in the presentation. Interim Budget Director Meek replied that information could be provided. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson called for a review of the Suffolk Bypass Ramps at Pitchkettle Road. Interim Budget Director Meek stated that there is $20,000,000 of State and Federal funding in sixth year of the proposed Fiscal Year 2025-2034 Capital Improvements Program and Plan, which is a placeholder to leverage future funding. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson sought an explanation for the proposed amendment to the proposed Fiscal Year 2025-2034 Capital Improvements Program and Plan as it relates to the replacement of Mahan Street Water System Upgrade with Cedar Lakes Water System Improvements in Fiscal Year 2025 and 2026. City Manager Moor reported that the Cedar Lake Water System is deteriorating rapidly; therefore, this amendment is needed. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Bennett opined about the need for additional funding from the railroad companies to improve railroad crossing improvements. Public Works Director Robert Lewis said that the City continues to seek funding from the railroad companies as well as State and Federal agencies. 1 City Council Work Session February 7, 2024 Council Member Bennett called for information about the funding for the Phoenix Bank Building. Interim Budget Director Meek stated that there is $300,000 in Fiscal Year 2024-2025 and $250,000 in Fiscal Year 2025-2026. Council Member Butler Barlow asked about the Glasscock Property as it relates to the Fiscal Year 2025- 2034 Capital Improvements Plan. Parks and Recreation Director Mark Furlo replied that the Glasscock Property will be included in the next Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update. Vice Mayor Ward inquired about the number of parking places at Pughsville Park. Parks and Recreation Director Furlo said that he could research that matter and follow up accordingly. Referring to the presentation, Vice Mayor Ward sought clarification about the funding timeline for the Bennett’s Creek Recreation Center Gym. Parks and Recreation Director Furlo indicated that the funding for the Bennett’s Creek Recreation Center Gym is in the sixth year of the proposed Fiscal Year 2025- 2034 Capital Improvements Program and Plan. Vice Mayor Ward solicited information about transportation to the Bennett’s Creek Recreation Center from Pughsville and Huntersville. Parks and Recreation Director Furlo reported that the Parks and Recreation Department offered bus transportation from these areas, and no one has signed up. Vice Mayor Ward queried about the methodology used by the Parks and Recreation Department to publicize the bus transportation from Pughsville and Huntersville to the Bennett’s Creek Recreation Center. Parks and Recreation Director Furlo explained that staff attended civic league meetings and hosted special events at the Bennett’s Creek Recreation Center and Pughsville Park. Vice Mayor Ward opined about sending the information to Suffolk Public Schools regarding bus transportation from Pughsville and Huntersville to the Bennett’s Creek Recreation Center. Parks and Recreation Director Furlo said that the Parks and Recreation Department disseminates information through Peachjar, which is the Suffolk Public Schools’ platform that connects schools, parents, and community organizations. Council Member Williams asked about the cost for the repair of the Phoenix Bank Building. Capital Programs and Buildings Director Gerry Jones advised that the first phase of repair of the Phoenix Bank Building is stabilization. He added there have been several concepts for the future use of the building. He concluded that in order to finalize the cost for building’s repair can be established once the building’s use has been determined. Council Member Bennett called for information about the cost for the repair of the Phoenix Bank Building. He concluded that in order to finalize the cost for building’s repair, the building’s use needs to be been determined and decided whether it is public use or a public-private partnership. Council Member Williams opined about advertising public-private opportunities as it relates to the Phoenix Bank Building. Capital Programs and Buildings Director Jones replied that the City has repeatedly sought public-private partnership opportunities for the Phoenix Bank Building and has not received any interest. Deputy City Manager Kevin Hughes added that the City has sought Request for Proposals in 2021 for public-private partnerships for the Phoenix Bank Building with flexible terms. He concluded that the City received no responses. 2 City Council Work Session February 7, 2024 Council Member Williams queried about the feasibility of stabilizing the Phoenix Bank Building with the $550,000 included in the proposed Fiscal Year 2025-2034 Capital Improvements Program and Plan. Capital Programs and Buildings Director Jones reported that it is feasible to stabilize the building with that amount of funding. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Bennett asked whether $550,000 will be adequate to stabilize Phoenix Bank Building. Capital Programs and Buildings Director Jones surmised the amount should be adequate. Vice Mayor Ward asked about the possibility of adding on the Phoenix Bank Building. Deputy City Manager Hughes explained that the eventual use of the building needs to be determined before improvements beyond stabilizing the structure are made. He concluded that the currently proposed funds do not address anything other than stabilizing the building. 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 of the City of Suffolk, Fine Arts Commission, Human Services Advisory Board, Local Board of Building Code Appeals, Sister Cities Commission, Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Tidewater Youth Services Commission, Western Tidewater Community Services Board, and the Wetlands Board. 2. Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711(A)(5) and (8), the discussion of a prospective business or industry or the expansion of an existing business or industry where no previous announcement has been made of the business’ or industry’s interest in locating or expanding its facilities in the community; and consultation with legal counsel employed or retained by a public body regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel, specifically concerning an EDIP proposal regarding Project Tyler. Council Member Butler Barlow, on a motion seconded by Council Member Williams, 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, Johnson, Rector, and Williams 7 NAYS: None 0 (Council Member Fawcett was excused.) 3 City Council Work Session February 7, 2024 City Council convened in Closed Meeting at 5:19 p.m. The Closed Meeting concluded at 5:53 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: APRIL 3, 2024 4