First meeting in new city hall
Published 10:30 pm Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Media and Community Relations Manager Tim Kelley shows City Manager Selena Cuffee-Glenn, left, and Mayor Linda T. Johnson how to use the technology in the new council chambers before Wednesday’s work session.
There’s been no ribbon-cutting, but the opening of the city’s new city hall feels official following Wednesday’s first council meeting there.
A few technological bobbles, including television screens that went out during a work session presentation — one of which never came back on — occurred, but the meeting otherwise seemed to go smoothly.
“This stuff is all new up here,” Mayor Linda T. Johnson said at the end of the work session, explaining why the council members’ microphones were cutting off in the middle of them speaking.
At the end of the regular meeting, some of the council members praised the new building.
“It’s a very impressive facility compared to the old facility, that had over 60 years of life,” Councilman Roger Fawcett said. “It’s going to be fantastic once everything comes to full power here.”
Councilman Lue Ward called for a round of applause. Councilman Mike Duman thanked city employees that have been working on the project for the last four years.
“It is money wisely spent,” Duman said. “All the way around, we’re getting a good return on our investment, and the citizens are getting a good return on their investment.”
Mayor Linda T. Johnson said there was “nothing opulent” about the building and added she was “extremely proud” the project was delivered on time and on budget.
City departments are continuing to move into the building.
On Monday, the downtown offices of Planning and Community Development, Treasurer and Commissioner of the Revenue will be closed to the public as staff in those offices complete the moves that will be occurring over the weekend. All three offices will reopen to the public in the new building, 442 W. Washington St., on Tuesday.
The Planning Department will conduct no inspections or issuance of building permits on Monday.
Citizens needing services of the treasurer and commissioner of the revenue can visit their satellite offices in the North Suffolk Library, 2000 Bennetts Creek Park Road.
Citizens also can email staff at citytreasurer@suffolkva.us or comrev@suffolkva.us and use the drop box currently in front of the old municipal building at 441 Market St.
