City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session April 16, 2025 Work Session of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 4:00 p.m. PRESENT Council Members - Michael D. Duman, Mayor, presiding Lue R. Ward, Jr., Vice Mayor Shelley Butler Barlow Timothy J. Johnson John T. Rector LeOtis L. Williams Ebony N. Wright Erika S. Dawley, City Clerk William E. Hutchings, Jr., City Attorney Albert S. Moor, City Manager ABSENT Leroy Bennett (excused) Mayor Duman called the meeting to order and announced Council Member Bennett was excused. CITY FACILITIES AND PROPERTIES UPDATE Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Capital Programs and Buildings Director Gerry Jones, Parks and Recreation Director Mark Furlo, Marcos Freeman, Vice President, McPherson Design Group, and Deputy City Manager Kevin Hughes gave a report about the above-mentioned topic. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Williams inquired about the availability of parking for the proposed green space in the East Washington Street Corridor project. Parks and Recreation Director Furlo explained that the park will be primarily used after business hours and weekends, therefore, parking will be available at the Parks and Recreation Department’s Administrative Building. Council Member Williams queried about the timeline for the opening of 7th Street. Parks and Recreation Director Furlo advised 7th Street is not a part of the East Washington Street Corridor project. Council Member Williams called for information about the inclusion of a parklet at the corner of East Washington Street and Bank Street Extended. Parks and Recreation Director Furlo replied that streetscaping will be done in that area. Council Member Butler Barlow solicited information about the future of the community garden as it relates to the Freeney Avenue project. Parks and Recreation Director Furlo said that the community garden will be preserved, although the former Suffolk Schools Maintenance Building will be demolished. He further explained that the department is working with the Public Utilities Department to ensure a water source for the community garden. 1 City Council Work Session April 16, 2025 Referring to the presentation, Council Member Butler Barlow asked about any historical designations for the Planters Club. Capital Programs and Buildings Jones reported that the Planters Club does not have any state or federal historical designations. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Rector opined about the potential need to make curb and sidewalk improvements prior to the East Washington Street Corridor project. Parks and Recreation Director Furlo said that matter could be taken under advisement. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Rector inquired about the size of the trees proposed for the East Washington Street Corridor project. Parks and Recreation Director Furlo stated that the trees will be able to be pruned to avoid interference with power lines. Referring to the presentation, Vice Mayor Ward asked about the types of trees proposed for the East Washington Street Corridor project. Parks and Recreation Director Furlo replied that crabapple and Eastern redbud trees are proposed for the East Washington Street Corridor project. Referring to the presentation, Vice Mayor Ward queried about the installation of new benches for the East Washington Street Corridor project. Parks and Recreation Director Furlo advised that the existing benches will be replaced by new ones. Referring to the presentation, Vice Mayor Ward opined about the proposed murals in the East Washington Street Corridor project. Parks and Recreation Director Furlo explained that during the Parks and Recreation Department’s community engagement, citizens expressed support for public art. Vice Mayor Ward opined about the future of the Phoenix Bank Building. Capital Programs and Buildings Director Jones indicated that the City is preserving the building for future use, whether that be a public or private use. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Williams called for information about the previous uses for the Planters Club. Parks and Recreation Director Furlo said that the building was originally constructed by Amedeo Obici as a clubhouse for his employees. CLOSED MEETING City Clerk Dawley presented the Closed Meeting motion for City Council’s consideration: 1. Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 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 Downtown Advisory Committee, Early Childhood Development Commission, Economic Development Authority of the City of Suffolk, Historic Landmarks Commission, Human Services Advisory Board, Local Board of Building Code Appeals, Paul D. Camp Community College Board, Sister Cities Commission, Tidewater Youth Services Commission, Western Tidewater Community Services Board; and 2. Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711(A)(8), the consultation with legal counsel employed or retained by a public body regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel, specifically pertaining to the Suffolk – Chesapeake Boundary. 2 City Council Work Session April 16, 2025 Council Member Butler Barlow, on a motion seconded by Council Member Rector, moved that City Council convene in a closed meeting for the above-mentioned purpose, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Butler Barlow, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 7 NAYS: None (Council Member Bennett was excused.) 0 City Council convened in Closed Meeting at 5:24 p.m. The Closed Meeting concluded at 5:44 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: AUGUST 20, 2025 3