City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session February 5, 2025 Work Session of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, 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 LeOtis L. Williams Ebony N. Wright Erika S. Dawley, City Clerk William E. Hutchings, Jr., City Attorney Albert S. Moor, City Manager ABSENT Council Member John Rector (excused) FISCAL YEAR 2026-2035 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND PLAN Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Finance Director Charles Meek gave a report about the above referenced item. Mayor Duman advised that Council Member Rector was excused. Referring to the presentation, Vice Mayor Ward asked about the use of funding for Holly Lawn Cemetery Improvements. Finance Director Meek advised that the funding is used for burials and general upkeep. Vice Mayor Ward opined about the feasibility of using the funding for Holly Lawn Cemetery Improvements for maintenance of a cemetery on Shoulders Hill Road. City Manager Moor explained that the Holly Lawn Cemetery Improvements are funded with monies from the Perpetual Care Fund, which is specifically designated for Holly Lawn Cemetery. Vice Mayor Ward inquired about funding for a community football team that plays at Northern Shore Elementary School. Parks and Recreation Director Mark Furlo advised that Suffolk Public Schools would be the appropriate agency to address that request. Referring to the presentation, Vice Mayor Ward queried about the location of the Downtown Parking Garage. City Manager Moor reported that at this point the location is to be determined. Referring to the presentation, Vice Mayor Ward inquired about the location of the Bridge Road/College Drive Left Turn Lane. City Manager Moor said the project will be located near the Suffolk-Portsmouth City line. 1 City Council Work Session February 5, 2025 Referring to the presentation, Council Member Bennett sought information about the developer’s contribution to the Murphy’s Mill Culvert Improvements. Deputy City Manager Kevin Hughes explained that the developer’s contribution totals $1,200,000. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Wright called for clarification of the inclusion of an improved turn lane for Bernhowe Manor in the Route 17 Roadway Widening project. City Manager Moor stated that the right turn lane for Bernhowe Manor is included in the Capital Improvement Plan’s Urban Roadway Construction Project. Public Works Director Robert Lewis added that the right turn lane in the Capital Improvement Plan’s Urban Roadway Construction Project is included in Phase 2, which is contingent upon funding. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Wright questioned the feasibility of including language that would specifically include the right turn lane for Bernhowe Manor into the Route 17 Roadway Widening. Public Works Director Lewis replied in the affirmative. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Wright requested information about funding to address safety issues at the former Driver Elementary School. City Manager Moor reported that in order to address the safety issues, the City would first need to obtain the deed to the property. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Williams asked about the inclusion of demolition costs in the funds allocated for the East Suffolk Athletic Fields. Capital Programs and Buildings Director Gerry Jones said that there will be separate funds for the demolition. Council Member Johnson inquired about the inclusion of funding for the maintenance projects at the Holland Baseball Fields. Parks and Recreation Director Mark Furlo explained that most of the maintenance projects have all been addressed. Council Member Johnson queried about the timeline for the lighting improvements at the Holland Baseball Fields. Parks and Recreation Director Furlo stated that the lighting improvements will be in the Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Year 2028. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Butler Barlow sought information about any potential impact on the community gardens at the East Suffolk Athletic Fields during the improvements. Parks and Recreation Director Furlo advised that there will be no adverse impact on the community gardens at the East Suffolk Athletic Fields as a result of the improvements in that area. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Butler Barlow called for clarification about the inclusion of village improvement initiatives in the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2035 Capital Improvement Program and Plan. Finance Director Meek explained that any funding for that purpose would have to be identified in the Operating Budget in order to be included in the proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2035 Capital Improvement Program and Plan. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Butler Barlow called for a map of the pipeline alignment for the Oakland Drainage Improvements. Public Utilities Director Paul Retel replied that staff can provide a pipeline alignment map for the stormwater in that area. 2 City Council Work Session February 5, 2025 Referring to the presentation, Council Member Wright questioned the feasibility of reviewing the current plan for the demolition of the unsafe structures at the former Driver Elementary School and complete the demolition prior to February 19th. City Manager Moor replied that it might be feasible to receive rough estimates on the demolition and bring those back prior to February 19 th, which is the public hearing for the Fiscal Year 2026-2035 Capital Improvement Program and Plan. He added that the City has not currently included the demolition of the unsafe structures at the former Driver Elementary School, because the City does not have the deed to the property. 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)(1), 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, Economic Development Authority of the City of Suffolk, 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 Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Tidewater Emergency Medical Services Council, Tidewater Youth Services Commission, Western Tidewater Community Services Board, and the Wetlands Board and the performance of the City Manager. Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Bennett, moved that City Council convene in a closed meeting for the above referenced purpose, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Rector was excused.) 0 City Council convened in Closed Meeting at 5:01 p.m. The Closed Meeting concluded at 5:27 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, Deputy City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: MAY 21, 2025 3