City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session July 16, 2025 Work Session of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, 4:00 p.m. PRESENT Council Members - Michael D. Duman, Mayor, presiding Lue R. Ward, Jr., Vice Mayor (arrived at 4:24 p.m.) 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 Mayor Duman announced that Vice Mayor Ward was delayed. SOUTHSIDE NETWORK AUTHORITY UPDATE TO CITY COUNCIL Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Marcellus Nixon, Executive Director, Southside Network Authority, submitted a summary of the above-mentioned item. Referring to the presentation, City Manager Moor asked about the construction timeline for the Regional Connectivity Ring. Mr. Nixon reported that the ring is 75% complete. Council Member Bennett called for clarification about the installation of match sticks in various areas of the City. Mr. Nixon said that some of the match sticks are a part of the Regional Connectivity Ring and the GloFiber’s upgrades. Council Member Johnson inquired about the timeline for the completion of the Regional Connectivity Ring. Mr. Nixon advised that the ring’s infrastructure is almost complete and the fiber cables will be pulled through soon. Mayor Duman queried about the construction timeline and budget of the Regional Connectivity Ring. Mr. Nixon stated that the construction timeline is on schedule and currently under budget. Mayor Duman opined about fees that will be generated by tapping into the Reginal Connectivity Ring. Mr. Nixon said that all member localities will benefit from the revenue generated by the connections to the ring. 1 City Council Work Session July 16, 2025 Mayor Duman sought information about the process for revenue sharing among the member localities of the Southside Network Authority. Mr. Nixon replied that all member localities of the Southside Network Authority will receive equal revenue shares. VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OVERVIEW Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Andrea Slye, Agriculture and Natural Resources Horticulture Extension Agent, Virginia Cooperative Extension, offered a report on the above-mentioned item. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Williams solicited information about the Pesticide Application License Recertification and Certification Classes. Ms. Slye said that there would be a class on this topic next month. She added that her department has more information on this topic in her office and online. Council Member Bennett queried about the availability of information about grubworms and moles. Ms. Slye replied that her department does offer information on grubworms and moles. 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, Local Board of Building Code Appeals, Paul D. Camp Community College Board, Sister Cities Commission, Southside Network Authority, Southeastern Public Service Authority, Suffolk Clean Community Commission, The Planning Council, Tidewater Youth Services Commission, Western Tidewater Regional Jail Authority Board, and the Western Tidewater Water Authority; and 2. Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711(A)(3), the discussion or consideration of the acquisition of real property for a public purpose, or of the disposition of publicly held real property, where discussion in an open meeting would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body; specifically, Tax Map Parcel 33*14C, 33*14, and 34G17(A)*39 Council Member Butler Barlow, on a motion seconded by Council Member Wiliams, moved that City Council convene in a closed meeting for the above-mentioned purposes, 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 2 City Council Work Session July 16, 2025 City Council convened in Closed Meeting at 4:38 p.m. The Closed Meeting concluded at 5:09 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: NOVEMBER 19, 2025 3