City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session September 24, 2024 A Joint Work Session of the Suffolk City Council and the Suffolk School Board was held in the City Council Chamber on Tuesday, September 24, 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 (departed at 5:46 p.m.) LeOtis L. Williams (arrived at 3:40 p.m.) Erika S. Dawley, City Clerk William E. Hutchings, Jr., City Attorney Albert S. Moor, II, City Manager ABSENT Timothy J. Johnson (excused) John Rector (excused) The following members of the Suffolk School Board were present: Karen Jenkins, Chair Heather Howell, Vice Chair Dr. Dawn Marie Brittingham Dr. Judith Brooks-Buck Tyron Riddick (arrived at 3:11 p.m.) Kimberly Slingluff ABSENT Phyllis Byrum 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 Members Rector and Johnson were excused, and Chair Jenkins advised that School Board Member Byrum would not be attending. Dr. Gordon and City Manager Moor supplied additional introductory remarks. 1 City Council Work Session September 24, 2024 PROPOSED SUFFOLK PUBLIC SCHOOLS FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Suffolk Public Schools Chief Financial Officer Wendy Forsman 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. Members of City Council and School Board exchanged opinions on various projects and ideas. CITY OF SUFFOLK FINANCIAL POLICIES AND DEBT LIMITS AND REVIEW OF FY 2025- 2034 ADOPTED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN & PROPOSED FY 2026-2035 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN SCHEDULE Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Director of Finance Charles Meek offered a report about the above referenced item. Dr. Gordon offered supplementary information. RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Planning and Community Director Kevin Wyne gave a summary of the above referenced topic. Referring to the presentation School Board Member Brooks-Buck opined on the formula for calculating school generation and asked for clarification on the presentation of proffer funding. Planning and Community Development Director Wyne explained that proffer funding is allocated when the certificate of occupancy is issued. Referring to the presentation, Dr. Gordon inquired about the number of units in Cedar Point. Planning and Community Development Director Wyne advised there are 70 units planned. Referring to the presentation, Dr. Gordon inquired about the number of units in Godwin Park. Planning and Community Development Director Wyne said there will be north of 700 total units of mixed product to include age restricted components. He further explained that the development is reliant upon a transportation project that has not begun and concluded that the project is currently capped at 270 units. 2 City Council Work Session September 24, 2024 Referring to the presentation, Dr. Gordon inquired about the number of units in the Gallery at Godwin apartments. Planning and Community Development Director Wyne replied there are 288 units. Referring to the presentation, Dr. Gordon requested a list of the developments and expected units so the School Board can consider them when formulating its Capital Improvement Plan. Members of City Council and School Board shared comments on the impact of development on school operations. Referring to the presentation, Chair Jenkins asked for information about the accounting of funds received from proffers. Finance Director Charles Meek said the funding is in the City’s Capital Fund Balance. School Board Member Riddick asked whether the school division had representation at the Planning Commission and, if not, whether it would be possible for that to happen. City Manager Moor explained that school staff is invited to the city’s Friday development meetings that occur even before anything is heard at Planning Commission. Suggestions were shared about School Board representation in planning matters. MAJOR TRANSPORATION PROJECTS AND DRAFT MASTER TRANSPORTATION PLAN Utilizing a Power Point presentation, Public Works Director Robert Lewis presented information about the above referenced subject. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett asked about the omission of Crittenden Road. Public Works Director Lewis explained the project. Vice Chair Howell inquired whether the access point at the current traffic light in front of Nansemond River High School will remain after the light is removed. Public Works Director advised the access point will be removed, but the bus ramp will remain. He elaborated that parking would be expanded as a result. TRANSFER OF SUFFOLK PUBLIC SCHOOLS PROPERTY TO THE CITY City Manager Moor offered comments about the transfer of Schools’ property to the City and asked Dr. Gordon whether Schools was still using the Freeney Avenue site for fueling. Dr. Gordon asked Finance Director Wendy Forman when the last fuel tank was scheduled to come out. Director of Facilities and Planning Terry Napier answered that the fuel tank was going out to bid, but there is no timeline for completion. City Manager Moor offered additional report on Freeney Avenue and Driver properties. Council Member Fawcett departed at 5:46 p.m. Members of City Council and the School Board provided closing remarks. 3 City Council Work Session September 24, 2024 The Work Session was adjourned by the unanimous consent of the City Council and the School Board at 6:02 p.m. Teste: _____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: JANUARY 15, 2025 4