City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session April 10, 2024 A Joint Work Session of the Suffolk City Council and the Suffolk School Board was held in the City Council Chamber on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at 3:00 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 Erika S. Dawley, City Clerk William E. Hutchings, Jr., City Attorney Albert S. Moor, II, City Manager ABSENT LeOtis L. Williams (excused) The following members of the Suffolk School Board were present: Karen Jenkins, Chair Heather Howell, Vice Chair (departed at 5:33 p.m.) Dr. Dawn Marie Brittingham Dr. Judith Brooks-Buck Phyllis Byrum Tyron Riddick (departed at 6:40 p.m.) Kimberly Slingluff ABSENT None Also present from School Administration: Dr. John B. Gordon III, School Superintendent Wendell Waller, School Board Attorney Tarshia Gardner, Clerk of the School Board ABSENT None JOINT MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE SCHOOL BOARD Mayor Duman and Chair Jenkins offered introductory remarks. Mayor Duman announced that Council Member Williams was excused. Dr. Gordon and City Manager Moor supplied additional introductory remarks. 1 City Council Work Session April 10, 2024 PROPOSED SUFFOLK PUBLIC SCHOOLS FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Wendy Forsman, Chief Financial Officer, Suffolk Public Schools, provided a summary of the above referenced item. PROPOSED CITY FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Finance Director Charles Meek gave a synopsis of the above referenced item. Dr. Brooks-Buck called for clarification about the City’s funding for the repairs at Northern Shores Elementary School. City Manager Moor stated that the City has identified an existing $3,500,000 for repairs at Northern Shores Elementary School. Council Member Fawcett opined about sinkhole repairs. Dr. Gordon explained that sinkholes are ongoing issues at various schools and occur after large amounts of rain. Referring to the presentation, Chair Jenkins queried about potential water and sewer rate increases, as it relates to the City’s budget priority to maintain service levels without a tax rate increase. City Manager Moor explained that the aforementioned budget priority does not refer to water and sewer rates. SUFFOLK PUBLIC SCHOOLS OPERATION FACILITY RELOCATION – TRANSFER OF SUFFOLK PUBLIC SCHOOLS PROPERTY TO THE CITY Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, City Manager Moor offered a report about the above referenced item. Dr. Gordon offered supplementary information. Members of City Council and the School Board opined about the potential transfer of Driver Elementary School from Suffolk Public Schools to the City. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Butler Barlow sought information about the consideration of options for the relocation of the Suffolk Public Schools Administration Building. City Manager Moor explained that a variety of locations have been considered, but none have been feasible. Dr. Gordon added that a new location of the Suffolk Public Schools Administration Building would need to be finalized prior to transferring Driver Elementary School to the City. Referring to the presentation, Ms. Byrum sought information about the feasibility of relocating the Suffolk Public School Administration Building to the current Suffolk Public Schools Operations Center. Dr. Gordon replied the land behind the current Operations Center might be an option. ENFORCEMENT CAMERA REVENUE – FUNDED SCHOOL SAFETY PROJECTS Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, City Manager Moor submitted data about the above referenced topic. 2 City Council Work Session April 10, 2024 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OPTIONS – ELEPHANTS FORK AND KILBY SHORES Utilizing a Power Point presentation, City Manager Moor presented information about the above referenced subject. Dr. Gordon presented supplementary information. Members of City Council and the School Board opined about options for school rehabilitation and replacement. Vice Chair Howell departed at 5:40 p.m. The Work Session recessed at 5:40 p.m. and reconvened at 5:51 p.m. RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Planning and Community Development Director Kevin Wyne provided an overview regarding the above referenced topic. Members of City Council and the School Board opined about residential development. Dr. Brittingham asked about the timeline for the implementation of proffers as it relates to residential development. Planning and Community Development Director Wyne explained that there has to be a capital project identified in order to accept a proffer, which is a voluntary contribution. Dr. Brittingham called for clarification about the implementation of proffers, as they relate to schools. City Manager Moor stated that proffers can only be implemented for a future school, which must be identified in the Capital Improvement Plan. Council Member Butler Barlow opined about non-committed residential development as it relates to student generation formulas. Planning and Community Development Director Wyne replied that non- committed residential development is not included in student generation formulas. Mr. Riddick queried about the role of Suffolk Public Schools in the development of the 2045 Comprehensive Plan. Planning and Community Development Director Wyne said that the City has had public outreach opportunities and there is a representative from Suffolk Public Schools that serves on the 2045 Comprehensive Plan Committee. MAJOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Public Works Assistant Director Darryl Lewis gave a synopsis of the above referenced topic. Referring to the presentation, Dr. Gordon inquired about the timeline for the completion of the Shoulder’s Hill Road widening project. Public Works Assistant Director Lewis advised that the project is anticipated to be completed in the Spring of 2029. Council Member Johnson asked about the timeline for the completion of the Turlington Road project. Public Works Assistant Director Lewis reported that the project should be completed later this year. 3 City Council Work Session April 10, 2024 Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett opined about the Shoulder’s Hill Road widening, specifically the direction of the widening. Public Works Assistant Director Lewis stated that the improvements would be a north to south widening. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett requested information about the feasibility of including a right turn lane into Bernhowe Manor, as it relates to the Shoulder’s Hill Road widening. Public Works Assistant Director Lewis indicated that he could research the viability of that matter. Vice Mayor Ward opined about the design of Route 17 and Townpoint Road widening. Public Works Assistant Director Lewis indicated that he could research the matter. School Board Member Riddick departed at 6:40 p.m. Members of City Council and the School Board provided closing remarks. The Work Session was adjourned by the unanimous consent of the City Council and the School Board at 6:55 p.m. Teste: _____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: JULY 2, 2024 4