City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session May 21, 2025 Work Session of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 4:00 p.m. PRESENT Council Members - Michael D. Duman, Mayor, presiding Lue R. Ward, Jr., Vice Mayor Leroy Bennett (arrived at 4:19 p.m.) 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 None 2025 GENERAL ASSEMBLY SESSION OVERVIEW Mayor Duman announced that Council Member Bennett will be delayed. Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Mindy Carlin, Access Point, the City’s legislative consultant, gave a report about the above-referenced topic. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Rector sought clarification about the fines generated by speed cameras in the legislation considered by the General Assembly. Ms. Carlin said that the legislation regarding speed cameras passed but was vetoed by Governor Youngkin. Subsequently, the operations pertaining to speed cameras remains the same. Referring to presentation, Council Member Rector opined about the failure of legislation associated with enhanced retirement benefits for E-911 local dispatchers. Ms. Carlin replied that the General Assembly expressed concerns about the financial impact of enhancement of retirement benefits for other E-911 dispatchers. Referring to the presentation, Mayor Duman asked about any consideration of expanding legislation related to speed cameras and traffic fatalities. Ms. Carlin stated that there was some discussion in the General Assembly about expanding legislation related to speed cameras and traffic fatalities. Referring to the presentation, Vice Mayor Ward queried about the process of receiving funding for African American cemeteries. City Manager Moor advised that localities are required to submit an application to the State to obtain the funding in accordance with guidelines. Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Senator Emily Jordan and Delegate Nadarius Clark gave supplementary information about the above-referenced topic. 1 City Council Work Session May 21, 2025 Council Member Johnson, on a motion seconded by Council Member Wright, moved that the topic on the Work Session Agenda, 2025 Summer Events, be moved under the Special Presentations portion of the Regular Agenda by the following vote: AYES: Mayor Duman, Vice Mayor Ward, and Council Members Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 8 NAYS: None 0 The Work Session adjourned at 5:17 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 2