MARCH 6, 1980 MINUTES
M I N U T E S
SPECIAL @l,-@@ETING
VIRCINIA BEACII CITY COUNCIL
Virginia Beach, Virginia
6 @larch 1980
A Special Ileeting of the Council of the City of Virginia Beach,
Virginia, was called to order by Mayor Patrick L. @tanding, in
the City Council Chambers, in the Administration Building, on
Thursday, 6 March 1980, at six o'clock in the evening for the
purpose of confirming and ratifying the Declaration of Emergencv
that was instituted on Sunday, 2 March 1980.
Council Members Present:
George R. Ferrell, Barbara M. Henley, Clarence
A. Holland, Vice Mayor J. ',Ienry McCoy, Jr.,
Donald W. tlerrick, Meyera E. Oberndorf, J.
Curtis Payne, Roger L. Riggs, and Mayor
Patrick L. Standing
Council Members Absent:
John A. Baum, and F. Reid Ervin
ITEM #14820
The City Clerk read the following letter from the City Manager:
"As prescribed by Section 2-9 of the Code of
the City of Virginia Beach, I request that
Council have a Special Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
on Thursday, March 6, 1980, in the Council
Chambers of the City Hall Building,
Municipal Center.
The purpose of this meeting is to have the
Vir@.inia Beach City Council confirm and
ratify the Declaration of Emergency that
was instituted on Sunday, iqarch 2, 1980.
The State Code and the City Code indicate
that City Council must ratify this declaration
within five (5) days of its initiation.
Ratification of this declaration insures that
Virginia Beach will be eligible for any
possible emergency assistance funds and also
establishes the City's municipal immunity from
liability arising from the emergency situation."
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ITEM #14821
Mayor Standing indicated the Council owes so many people gratitude
and thanks for what they did during the emergencv, not only those
employes of the City of Virginia Beach, but private citizens. The
Four Wheel Drive Association who helped throughout the emergency;
the State Ilighway Department; the Governor in declaring the
emergency; and, people in all walks of life who just stayed
at their respective jobs through the emergency, particularly,
those people who worked Emergency Services; in the hospitals,
regardless of whether they could get home or not, they stayed
at their job and helped.
Mayor Standing further indicated he wanted to take this opportunity
to let those people know this Council appreciates everything they
did, and he is sure there are too many people and too many
or@.anizations for him to recognize. However, he did believe
Council should recognize all those who did help.
Councilman Ferrell indicated he felt the same way as the Mayor,
and he was pleased with the way City Ernployees, in particular,
and all people cooperated.
Councilman Ferrell requested, through the Mayor, that a Resolution
be adopted by Council commending City Employees, and indicated
by having a Citizens Band Radio he was able to listen to the
City Employees during this emergency and some Employees had not
been home in two (2) days; and, he is amazed at the dedication
,.our" City Employees have.
Councilman Ferrell requested City Attorney Bimson to draw up
a Resolution commending the City Employees who worked during
the emergency.
Councilman Payne indicated hopefully this will. not occur again;
however, if it does would the City have enough four-wheel drive
vehicles?
The City Manager indicated the Four-Wheel Drive Association,
plus hundreds of people that coordinated their efforts throu@.h
the Four-Wheel Drive Association, is what made the Virginia
Beach Police Department a viable organization. The City was
virtually paralyzed Monday (3 March 1980). The City had four
Four-Vlheel Drive vehicles, of which two (2) were in snow banks.
The City Manager further indicated the City does have enough
Four-Wheel T)rive vehicles, if there is not another"'Hundred
YearStorm"; however, it is something the City Manager would
iike to study and research.
Councilman Payne indicated he received a telephone call from a
Farmer requesting assistance. Councilman Payne reached C. Oral
Lambert, Director of Public Works, and his crews cleared three
(3) roads and another in front of Red Mill Farms.
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The City Manager indicated the Agriculture community turned out
with larger tractors and were pulling the City's scrapers out of
snow banks. The Marine Corps,utilizing Amtracks, which are
enormous troop carrying ve,ticles, aided the City with emergency
medical supplies. Without ttie vehicles there is a possibility
there may have been fatalities in Vir@inia Beach during the
emergency.
Councilman Ferrell indicated he wanted to "take his hat off" to
those City Employees who worked during ttie emergency.
Vice Hayor McCoy indicated he received five (5) telephone calls:
three (3) thanking the City; one (1) for information; and, one
(1) with a complaint.
ITEM #14822
Upon motion by Councilman Holland, seconded by Councilman Ferrell,
Citv Council voted to ADOP-1 the following Resolution confirming
and ratifying the Declaration of Emergency that was instituted
by the City Manager on Sunday, 2 March 1980:
A RESOLUTION COIIFIRMING THE
DECLARATION OF A LOCAL
EMERGENCY BY THE CITY OF
VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 44-146.21 of ttle code
of Virginia, as amended, and Section 2-141 of the Code of the
City of Virginia Beach, Virginia, a local emer-,ency was declared
by the City Manager/Director of Emergency Services on 2 March 1980
at 7:30 p.m.; and,
WHEREAS, due to the heavy snow and wind storms, the
City of Virginia Beach was faced with dangerous snow conditions;
and,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COTJNCIL OF THE CITY
OF VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA, that pursuant to Section 44-146.21
of the Code of Virginia, as amended, and Section 2-141 of the
Code of the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia, the emergency
declared by the Citv Manager/DirecLor of Emergency Services
is hereby confirmed and ratified:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the declared emergency is
hereby ended at 6:00 p.m. 6 March 1980.
This Resolution shall take effect immediately.
Adopted by the Council of the City of Vir@.inia Beach,
Virginia, on the Sixth day of March 1980
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Council Members Voting Aye:
George R. Ferrell, Barbara M. Henley, Clarence
A. Holland, Vice Mayor J. Henry McCoy, Jr.,
Donald W. Merrick, Meyera E. Oberndorf, J.
Curtis Payne, Roger L. Riggs, and Mayor
Patrick L. Standing
Council Members Voting Nay,
None
Council Members Absent:
,John A. Baum, and F. Reid Ervin
ITEM #14823
@Mayor Standing indicated Council did miss the Informal Briefing
Session of 3 March 1980 due to the snow, and requested the 10 m@arch
Meeting be held L'arly as there are several matters to be
discussed.
The City Manager indicated the Meeting has been scheduled for
10:30 a.m., Monday 10 March 1980, (Executive Session).
ITEm #14824
Upon motion by Councilman Payne, seconded by Councilman Ilolland,
and by ACCLAMATION, City Council adjourned at 6:12 p.m.
Diane M. Hickman, Deputy City Clerk
Ru h Id -r@k 14ayor PaLrick L, Standi
g@
City of Virginia Beach,
Vi rg ini a
Special Meeting - 6 March 1980
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