City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session June 18, 2025 Work Session of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, June 18, 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 PLAN OF FINANCE FOR THE 2025 BOND ISSUANCES Mr. David Rose, Senior Vice President and Manager of Public Finance, introduced Mr. Austin Sacks, Assistant Vice President, Davenport and Company, the City’s financial advisors. Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Sacks submitted a summary of the above-mentioned item. Referring to the presentation, Mayor Duman called for clarification about the first year and half of the 20-year bond is interest only. Mr. Rose explained that this approach will avoid using the principal until the City gets closer to building the projects, and it will lighten the burden of the City’s overall debt. SUFFOLK/CHESAPEAKE BOUNDARY UPDATE Deputy City Manager Kevin Hughes introduced Deputy City Manager Brian Solis, City of Chesapeake. Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Mr. Solis gave an overview of the above-mentioned item. Council Member Butler Barlow queried about the possibility of residents thinking that they live one city but actually live in another. Deputy City Manager Hughes advised that both Suffolk and Chesapeake have been diligent in identifying all concerns of this nature and will continue to be mindful as the process continues. Council Member Bennett opined about the need to relocate any homes from one locality to the other locality. Deputy City Manager Hughes explained that while the United States Census line will cut through some homes, it will not impact operational services. Council Member Rector asked about the process to reconcile back taxes as a result in the boundary update. City Attorney Hutchins said that mater will be determined by Chesapeake’s City Assessor. 1 City Council Work Session June 18, 2025 Vice Mayor Ward opined about the boundary update’s potential impact on public schools. Deputy City Manager Hughes replied that both localities are hopeful that the boundary update will not have any impact on public schools. 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, the Western Tidewater Water Authority and the Western Tidewater Water Authority. Council Member Williams, 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 Bennett, Butler Barlow, Johnson, Rector, Williams and Wright 8 NAYS: None 0 City Council convened in Closed Meeting at 4:36 p.m. The Closed Meeting concluded at 4:50 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: NOVEMBER 5, 2025 2