City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session October 16, 2024 Work Session of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, October 16, 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 II, City Manager ABSENT None 2045 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE: CHANGES AND MASTER TRANSPORTATION PLAN Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Principal Planner W. Keith Cannady and Kirsten Tynch, Senior Project Manager, VHB, the City’s Comprehensive Plan transportation consultant, gave a report on the above referenced item. Council Member Johnson asked about the feasibility of providing the Master Transportation Plan to the public, as it relates to the 2045 Comprehensive Plan. Public Works Director Robert Lewis explained that the Master Transportation Plan is separate from the 2045 Comprehensive Plan. He added that Chapter 4 of the 2045 Comprehensive Plan addresses the matter of transportation, which will be available to the public. Council Member Johnson opined about the timeline of the availability of the Master Transportation Plan, as it relates to the 2045 Comprehensive Plan. Public Works Director Lewis stated that the issue of transportation is largely included in Chapter 4 of the 2045 Comprehensive Plan. Council Member Butler Barlow called for clarification about the role of VHB in the creation of the Master Transportation Plan. Ms. Tynch advised that her company, VHB, is the City’s Comprehensive Plan transportation consultant. Council Member Butler Barlow opined about the inclusion of the traffic surveys in the 2045 Comprehensive Plan that were performed during the coronavirus pandemic. Public Works Director Lewis reported that some data was collected during the coronavirus pandemic, and some data was collected after the coronavirus pandemic. 1 City Council Work Session October 16, 2024 CITY OF SUFFOLK WATER SERVICE LINE PROGRAM UPDATE Utilizing the PowerPoint presentation, Public Utilities Director Paul Retel submitted an overview of the above referenced item. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett called for clarification about the City’s responsibility as it relates to the replacement of a privately owned water line. Public Utilities Director Retel explained about the City would not have to replace privately owned water lines. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Fawcett asked about the availability of the information about the City’s water service lines program on the City’s webpage. Public Utilities Director Retel replied in the affirmative. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Bennett queried about the methodology that will be used to determine which City water service lines will be updated. Public Utilities Director Retel advised that the City would examine the age of specific subdivisions and the construction standards of that time to determine the timeline for the replacement of City water service lines. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson inquired about the timeline for completion of the water service line program. Public Utilities Director Retel said that the water service line program must be completed by 2037. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson opined about the possibility of funding the water service line program with grants. Public Utilities Director Retel replied that the City will seek grants to fund the water service line program. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson solicited clarification about the staffing for the water service line program. Public Utilities Director Retel reported that there is sufficient staffing in place for the water service line program. Council Member Johnson inquired about any potential impact of the water service line program on the City’s Capital Improvement Plan. Public Utilities Director Retel explained that staff is going attempt to start the water service line program in compact areas downtown in order to gauge the financial impact on the Capital Improvement Plan. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Rector asked about the dissemination of the information to citizens about the water service line program. Public Utilities Director Retel advised that staff has prepared language to address citizens’ inquiries about the water service line program. Council Member Rector queried about the timeline when the use of lead in solder for water pipes ended. Public Utilities Director Retel stated that he estimated that the use of lead in solder for water pipes ended approximately in 1982. Council Member Rector sought clarification about the methodology that a resident would use to determine if there is lead in their water pipes. Public Utilities Director Retel said that a resident would need to hire a plumber to survey their home for the presence of lead in their pipes. 2 City Council Work Session October 16, 2024 GO VIRGINIA WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PLAN OVERVIEW Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Senior Development Business Manager Terry Smith provided a synopsis of the above referenced item. Council Member Rector asked if the Go Virginia Workforce Development Plan will be working with the Hampton Roads Workforce Council. Ms. Smith replied that the Hampton Roads Workforce Council is on the advisory board for the Go Virginia Workforce Development Plan. Mayor Duman opined about the number of jobs created in Suffolk from 2018 through 2023. Ms. Smith reported that 3,500 jobs were created in Suffolk from 2018 through 2023. Referring to the presentation, Mayor Duman called about the frequency of the grants referenced in the Go Virgina Workforce Development Plan. Ms. Smith said that the grants are annual, and the amounts will fluctuate. 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 Early Childhood Development Commission, Downtown Advisory Committee, Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, Historic Landmarks Commission, Human Services Advisory Board, Local Board of Building Code Appeals, Paul D. Camp Community College Board, Sister Cities Commission, Southside Network Authority, Suffolk Clean Community Commission, Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Tidewater Youth Services Commission, and the Western Tidewater Regional Jail Board; and 2. Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711(A)(29), the discussion of the award of a public contract involving the expenditure of public funds, including interviews of bidders or offerors, and discussion of the terms or scope of such contract, where discussion in an open session would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body; specifically the Agreement for Use and Support of a Solid Waste Disposal System with Southeastern Public Service Authority of Virginia. 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 vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Fawcett, Johnson, Rector and Williams 8 NAYS: None 0 3 City Council Work Session October 16, 2024 City Council convened in Closed Meeting at 5:25 p.m. The Closed Meeting concluded at 5:32 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: MARCH 5, 2025 4