City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session June 4, 2025 Work Session of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, June 4, 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 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 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, City Attorney William Hutchings, Assistant City Attorneys Rebecca Powers, Patrick Macaluso and Michael Patterson submitted a summary of the above referenced item. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson sought clarification about House Bill 2630 regarding the replacement of trees during the development process in localities. Assistant City Attorney Powers said that the legislation allows the City to pass an ordinance to establish tree canopy funds so that developers can pay into it if they are unable to replace trees on a project. Referring to the presentation, Mayor Duman asked about House Bill 2630 regarding any potential requirements for tree canopy as it relates to the replacement of trees during the development process. City Attorney Hutchings replied that those requirements might be considered during the site plan process. Planning and Community Development Assistant Director Margaret Pittenger added that the City does have such requirements during the site plan process, and this legislation would allow localities to establish an ordinance for funding. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Bennett sought clarification about House Bill 2153 regarding affordable housing development by nonprofit organizations, as it relates to church properties. Assistant City Attorney Powers stated that the legislation directs the Department of Housing and Community Development to provide guidance to localities. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Bennett sought clarification about House Bill 2153 regarding affordable housing development by nonprofit organizations, as it relates to tiny homes. Assistant City Attorney Powers stated that the legislation provides definitions and allows localities to include that language in their comprehensive plans. 1 City Council Work Session June 4, 2025 Referring to the presentation, Council Member Williams called for more information about the definition of blighted or derelict property as it relates to Senate Bill 1476. Assistant City Attorney Powers explained that this legislation allows for the appointment of a special commissioner by the Clerk of the Circuit Court so that the locality can get property by means other than a tax sale and require the purchaser of the property to clean it up in two years. Council Member Williams asked if the City has a land bank. City Attorney Hutchings replied in the negative. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Williams opined about the use of raised seals as it relates to House Bill 1889 regarding electronic notarial acts. Assistant City Attorney Macaluso stated that the legislation refers to electronic notarization and protects a locality when it receives documents that have been notarized electronically. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Rector queried about the feasibility of a locality to designate more than one 501(c)(3) to accept properties as it related to Senate Bill 1476 regarding the sale of certain vacant and blighted or derelict properties. Assistant City Attorney Powers replied that the legislation does not appear to provide any sort of leeway for the two-year requirement, and she can research the matter of multiple non-profit organizations designated to accept properties. Referring to the presentation, Mayor Duman solicited information about the need for a City Code amendment for tiny homes relating to House Bill 2153 since the City already permits accessory dwellings. City Attorney Hutchings advised that the legislation only pertains to the Comprehensive Plan, not changes to the City Code. Referring to the presentation, Mayor Duman sought clarification about the relationship between House Bill 1868 regarding real property tax exemption for surviving spouses of members of the armed forces who have died in the line of duty and the City’s real property tax exemption for surviving spouses of public safety employees. City Attorney Hutchings reported that the legislation tweaked the definition to clarify that death in the line of duty includes suicide. Referring to the presentation, Mayor Duman called for clarity regarding the relationship between House Bill 1868 regarding real property tax exemption for surviving spouses of members of the armed forces who have died in the line of duty and first responders that have died in the line of duty. City Attorney Hutchings said that he could research this matter. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Williams asked about the feasibility of a nonprofit selling a formerly blighted or derelict property once the property has been repaired as referenced in House Bill 1476. Assistant City Attorney Powers reviewed the legislation and explained that it does not include any specific language to address that scenario. City Attorney Hutchings added that the nonprofit can manage the sale of the property to a developer and then the developer could sell the property. Council Member Butler Barlow opined about the feasibility of the Economic Development Authority acting as a land bank. City Attorney Hutchings advised that the Economic Development Authority’s charter does not allow it. DOWNTOWN TRAIN STATION UPDATE 2 City Council Work Session June 4, 2025 Public Works Director Robert Lewis introduced Dr. Robert Case, Chief Transportation Engineer, Hampton Roads Planning District Commission. Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Dr. Case gave an overview of the above-mentioned item. Mayor Duman queried about any potential funding at the state or federal levels for a downtown train station. Dr. Case advised that he was not aware of any potential funding at the state or federal levels. Mayor Duman sought information about the City’s next steps regarding a potential downtown train station. Dr. Case explained that after July 1, 2025, there is funding available for a financial feasibility study and then a more detailed site study. He added that both of these studies are requirements and emphasized no funding will be available until both of these studies are completed. Council Member Rector opined about considering locations outside of the downtown area for a train station. Dr. Case said that option is feasible. Public Works Director Lewis added that most of the sentiment received by the City has identified the preferred location for the train station being in the downtown area. 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 Community Policy and Management Team, Early Childhood Development Commission, Fine Arts Commission, Historic Landmarks Commission, Human Services Advisory Board, Library Advisory Board, Local Board of Building Code Appeals, Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, Paul D. Camp Community College Board, Planning Commission, Sister Cities Commission, Suffolk Clean Community Commission, Suffolk Clean Community Commission Keep Suffolk Beautiful Executive Board, Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, The Planning Council, Tidewater Youth Services Commission, Western Tidewater Community Services Board, and the Western Tidewater Water Authority. Council Member Williams, on a motion seconded by Council Member Johnson, 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 Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 8 NAYS: None 0 3 City Council Work Session June 4, 2025 City Council convened in Closed Meeting at 5:09 p.m. The Closed Meeting concluded at 5:27 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: OCTOBER 1, 2025 4