City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session March 20, 2024 Work Session of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 4:00 p.m. PRESENT Council Members - Michael D. Duman, Mayor, presiding Lue R. Ward, Jr., Vice Mayor Leroy Bennett Shelley 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, City Manager ABSENT None Mayor Duman announced that Chris Kyle, Shentel Glofiber, is late. He added that the order of the Work Session topics will be switched. ROUTE 460 IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT FUNDING Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Finance Director Charles Meek and David Rose, Vice President, Davenport and Company, the City’s financial advisors, offered a report on the above referenced item. City Manager Moor provided supplementary information. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson sought information on the potential financial impact on the City, should the City fail to receive state and federal funding. City Manager Moor explained that the City is trying to demonstrate that the City can complete the project so the City can get assistance from the Transportation Partnership Opportunity Fund. He added that if the City is unsuccessful, then some of the funding will have to be absorbed. Council Member Johnson called for clarification about the impact of the taxes generated by the Port 460 warehouse project and the debt service for the Route 460 Improvements Project. City Manager Moor was not sure at this point that the taxes generated by the Port 460 warehouse project would fund the debt service for the Route 460 Improvements Project. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett opined about the projected debt affordability, as it relates to the Route 460 Improvements Project. Mr. Rose reviewed the information included in the presentation regarding the projected debt affordability, as it relates to the Route 460 Improvements Project. 1 City Council Work Session March 20, 2024 Referring to the presentation, Council Member Rector queried about the inclusion of potential project cost increases out to 2029 as it relates to the Route 460 Improvements Project. City Manager Moor explained that the projections are conservative. Council Member Rector called for clarification about any connection between the development of the Port 460 warehouse project and Route 460 Improvements Project. Deputy City Manager Kevin Hughes reported that the construction of the Port 460 warehouse project is completely separate from the Route 460 Improvements Project. SHENTEL GLOFIBER UPDATE Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Chris Kyle, Vice President – Industry Affairs and Regulatory, Shentel Glofiber, gave a report about the above referenced item. Mayor Duman asked about the methodology available to residents to determine if they are in the Shentel Glofiber service area. Mr. Kyle explained that residents could enter their home address into the company website to see if they are in the service area. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Bennett requested a hard copy of the service area maps. Mr. Kyle replied in the affirmative. Council Member Rector queried about the feasibility of using Shentel Glofiber for internet services and another company for cable services. Mr. Kyle replied in the affirmative. 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, 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)(7), consultation with legal counsel and briefings by staff members or consultants pertaining to actual or probable litigation, where such consultation or briefing in open meeting would adversely affect the negotiating or litigating posture of the public body; 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 regarding the enforcement of encroachments into the City’s Right of Way. 2 City Council Work Session March 20, 2024 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 5:05 p.m. The Closed Meeting concluded at 5:38 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: MAY 15, 2024 3