City Council retreat this week
Published 9:38 pm Monday, September 26, 2011
“Progress” will be the theme during the upcoming City Council retreat, set for Wednesday through Friday.
The annual retreat allows City Council members to discuss certain topics in depth. Among the items set for discussion are redistricting, solid waste management, the city’s credit rating, public transit projects and economic development.
But the three days won’t be all work and no play — the leaders will take time out on Thursday to attend the Queen’s Luncheon, one of the prelude events to Peanut Fest.
Other items of interest include an overview of Suffolk Public Schools by Superintendent Deran Whitney, an update on ordinances pertaining to signs and flags, and an update on the renovation of Obici House.
The tentative schedule is listed below. The retreat will be held at the Health and Human Services building, 135 Hall Ave., and is open to the public.
Wednesday
Noon to 2 p.m. — Working lunch
- Welcome and agenda review
- Video
- Financial accomplishments
- Economic development accomplishments/2011 growth report
- Public safety accomplishments
- Office on Youth 2011 update
2 to 2:15 p.m. — Break
2:15 to 3:15 p.m. — Transportation
- Public transit update and recommendations
- Major projects update — Nansemond Parkway and Holland Road
- Status of proposed projects — Route 460, Patriot’s Crossing, passenger and freight rail projects
3:15 to 3:30 p.m. — Break
3:30 to 4:30 p.m. — Suffolk Executive Airport update
- Marketing study
- Building and facilities upgrades
- Business development and retention
4:30 to 4:45 p.m. — Day 1 wrap-up
4:45 to 5 p.m. — Break
5 to 6 p.m. — Working dinner
- Council/manager form of government
Thursday
8:30 to 8:50 a.m. — Working breakfast
8:50 to 9 a.m. — Break
9 to 10:30 a.m. — ‘The Road to AAA’
- Financial policies and bond rating update
- Budget forecasting
- Budget and statistical digest
10:30 to 10:45 a.m. — Break
10:45 to 11:45 a.m. — Suffolk Public Schools overview by Dr. Deran Whitney, superintendent
11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Attend Queen’s Luncheon
2 to 3 p.m. — Planning
- Comprehensive Plan updates
- Cash proffer and road impact fee study update
- Regulation of temporary signs and banners
- Sewage disposal alternatives for villages
3 to 3:15 p.m. — Break
3:15 to 4:30 p.m. — 911/Municipal Center master plan
- Process update and overview
- Schedule
- Road and utility improvements
- Records management overview
- Other project components
4:30 to 4:45 p.m. — Break
4:45 to 5:45 p.m. — Development and redevelopment
- Blight abatement and redevelopment in downtown and other areas
- North Main Street redevelopment/Kimberly Bridge/Constance and Main Street expansion
- Policies to encourage ongoing infill redevelopment
- Other development initiatives
5:45 to 6 p.m. — Break
6 to 7:15 p.m. — Working dinner — Parks and Recreation
- Parks and facilities planning process overview
- Boating access on rivers and tributaries
- Obici House renovation and Planters Club
- Updates on additional parks initiatives
- Day 2 wrap-up
Friday
8:30 to 8:50 a.m. — Working breakfast
8:50 to 9 a.m. — Break
9 to 10 a.m. — Solid waste management and SPSA
- Refuse enterprise fund update
- SCS report overview
- Consultant report: Long-term strategies for solid waste management
10 to 10:15 a.m. — Break
10:15 to 11 a.m. — Legislative Agenda
- New legislation and monitor items
- Other
11 a.m. to noon — Redistricting update
Noon to 12:15 p.m. — Break
12:15 to 1 p.m. — Working lunch
- Retreat recap
- Where do we go from here?
- Other open items