City Council Work Sessions

City Council Work Session September 3, 2025 Work Session of the Suffolk City Council was held in the City Council Chamber, 442 West Washington Street, on Wednesday, September 3, 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 Kevin Hughes, Interim City Manager ABSENT None ROUTE 58/SOUTHEASTERN PUBLIC SERVICE AUTHORITY Utilizing a PowerPoint presentation, Chris Wojtowicz, Area Construction Engineer, Virginia Department of Transportation, submitted a summary of the above-mentioned item. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Johnson asked about the timeline for the detours as it relates to the Southeastern Public Service Authority Flyover Route 5 Project. Mr. Wojtowicz said that the closure should be six days. Referring to the presentation, Council Member Bennett called for clarification about the days that will require 24-hour closures for the Southeastern Public Service Authority Flyover Route 58 Project. Mr. Woktowicz replied that the 24-hour closures will only be required on the weekends. Council Member Butler Barlow opined about the Virginia Department of Transportation’s plans to communicate the travel impacts of the Southeastern Public Service Authority Flyover Route 58 Project. Mr. Woktowicz explained that the Communications Division of the Virginia Department of Transportation will provide notice to citizens prior to any travel impacts through various communications methods. CLOSED MEETING 1 City Council Work Session September 3, 2025 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 Agricultural Advisory Committee, Community Policy and Management Team, Early Childhood Development Commission, Historic Landmarks Commission, Human Services Advisory Board, Local Board of Building Code Appeals, Paul D. Camp Community College Board, Southeastern Public Service Authority, Suffolk Clean Community Commission, The Planning Council and Tidewater Youth Services Commission; and 2. Pursuant to Virginia Code Section 2.2-3711 (A)(8) and (A)(29), the consultant with legal counsel employed or retained by a public body regarding specific legal matters requiring the provision of legal advice by such counsel; and, the discussion of the award of a public contract involving the expenditure of public funds, including interviews of bidders or offerors, and discussion of the terms or scope of such contract, where discussion in an open session would adversely affect the bargaining position or negotiating strategy of the public body, specifically pertaining to the Agreements between the City and the Southeastern Public Service Authority; and 3. 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 and 33*14. Council Member Rector, on a motion seconded by Council Member Butler Barlow, 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 City Council convened in Closed Meeting at 4:21 p.m. The Closed Meeting concluded at 5:40 p.m. Teste: ____________________________________________ Erika S. Dawley, MMC, City Clerk Approved: _________________________________________ Michael D. Duman, Mayor APPROVED: DECEMBER 17, 2025 2