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APRIL 20, 2006 MINUTES - 1 - MINUTES VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL Virginia Beach, Virginia 20 April 2006 Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf called to order the Virginia Beach City Council's PUBLIC HEARING for the Biennial 2006-2007/FY 2006-07 Operating Budget and FY 2006-2007/2011-2012 Capital Improvement Program on Thursday, April 20, 2006, at 6:30 P.M., Bayside High School Auditorium, 4960 Haygood Road. Council Members Present: Harry E. Diezel, Robert M Dyer, Vice Mayor Louis R. Jones, Reba S. McClanan, Richard A. Maddox, Mayor Meyera E. Obernd01f, Jim Reeve, Peter W. Schmidt, Ron A. Villanueva, Rosemary Wilson and James L. Wood Council Members Absent: None April 20. 2006 - 2 - PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE BIENNIAL 2006-2007/FY 2006-07 OPERATING BUDGET AND FY 2006-2007/2011-2012 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM ITEM # 55126 The Mayor opened the April 20, 2006 Public Hearing: "The City Council hereby declares the Public Hearing OPEN on the matters of the proposed Fiscal Year 2006-07 Operating Budget, the proposed Fiscal Year 2006-07 Capital Improvement Program, the proposed issuance of General Obligation Bonds in the estimated maximum amount of $63,800,000, the proposed issuance of Storm Water Utility Revenue bonds in the estimated maximum amount of $2,510,000, and the proposed issuance of Water and Sewer Revenue Bonds in the estimated maximum amount of$18,950,465." The following registered to speak: Iva Nash, 540 Cedar Lane, Phone: 486-3146, President - Virginia Beach Education Association, 540 Cedar Lane, Phone: 486-3146, spoke in support offully funding the Virginia Beach Schools' Biennial 2006-2007/FY 2007-2008 Operating Budget and against the City staff's recommendationfor the School division to pay 'half of the S7.5-MILLION cost of BRAe. Maria Cruize, 3944 Morningview Drive, spoke in continued support of Endependence Center. People with a disability can lead a normal life with the assistance of the Independence Center. Robert Goodman, Chair - Convention Center Citizens Steering Committee, Post Office Box 3037, Norfolk, Virginia, Phone: 624-3238, spoke in support of Alternative Ire 19th Street, requiring the acquisition of properties within the 80-foot right of way. Condemnation issues should be addressed through fair compensation and should not be a barrier to the implementation of a first class connection between the Convention Center and the Oceanfront. Michael Strum inger, 1856 Gershwin, resident of Ocean Lakes, Phone: 301-2987, expressed concern relative 70% increase in real estate assessment. Mr. Struminger requested a review of the assessment process. Thomas Coghill, 804 Suifside Avenue, Phone: 422-3425 represented the Tidewater Bicycle Association, the Tom Coghill Celebration of Life Bicycle Rid, the Bicycle and Trails Advisory Committee and all the bicycle shop owners in the Tidewater area. Mr. Coghill requested Phases 2 and 3 (CIP 4-064, 4-065 City Bikeways and Trails Improvements) be included within the Budget. Said statement is hereby made a part of the record. Jimmy Capps, 940 Cardinal Road, Phone: 428-1821. owner and operator of the Breakers Resort Inn, serving on the Virginia Beach Convention Center Steering Committee and Co-Chair of the Publicity Committee, spoke in support of Alternative I re 19th Street, requiring the acquisition of properties within the 80-foot right-o.fway and the implementation of a first class connection between the Convention Center and the Oceeanfront. Laura Habr, 19th Street, Phone: 288-3861, represented CROCS and the businesses along the 19th Street Corridor. Ms. Huber urged the expenditure of the S12-MILLION for Alternative I to improve the 19th Street Corridor. Ms. Huber mailed a petition in SUPPORT signed by various businesses. George Bryant, 2320 Dodd Drive, Phone: 481-3309, thirty-eight (38)- year resident ofWolfsnare Plantation, spoke in opposition to the real estate tax rate. April 20, 2006 - 3 - PUBLIC HEAR/NG FOR THE BIENNIAL 2006-2007/FY 2006-07 OPERATING BUDGET AND FY 2006-2007/2011-2012 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM ITEM # 55126 (Continued) Judy Connors, 3958 Whispering Oaks, Phone: 464-3640, spoke in support offunding the Lynnhaven House. Ronda Morrison, 3812 Long Ship, Phone: 407-7782, President - Ocean Park Civic League, requested acquisition for open space of a portion of the parcel known as Pleasure House Point. Said statement is hereby made a part of the record. Meyer Chovitz, 4901 Ocean Front, Phone: 428-0456, spoke in support offundingfor the Lynnhaven House Marjorie Smallie, 3912 Richardson Road, Phone: 464-4818, spoke in support offullfundingfor the operation of the Lynnhaven House Ms. Smallie read correspondence from Jim Fletcher, citing support of the Witchduck Civic League.. Harriet Frenzel, 2545 Mercedes Court, Phone: 363-1310, Docent at the Lynnhaven Housefor ten (10) years. spoke in support offundingfor the Lynnhaven House Jeanne Evans, Member - Board of Directors, Lynnhaven House and on behalf of the Board and the Docents, requested consideration of $73,000 in additional operating funds for the Lynnhaven House PJ. Padrick, 5613 Lawson Hall Road, Phone: 464-6278, President - Northwest Beach Partnership, presented a Resolution in support of a full service community Recreation Center on the Williams Farm site. Said Resolution is hereby made a part of the record. Dave Sparks, 3100 Shore Drive, Phone: 217-2216, Member-Board of Directors, Lynnhaven House, spoke in support offullfundingfor the Lynnhaven House. Gayle Reske, 4121 ThoroughgoodDrive, Phone: 464-2041, Docent-LynnhavenHouse, spoke in support offullfundingfor the Lynnhaven House John D. Moss, 4109 Richardson, Phone: 363-7745, Chair - Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance, 4109 Richardson Road, Phone: 363-7745, requested the real estate tax rate be established at 82if:. Mr. Moss cited a 400% increase in public spending. Flo McDaniel, 228 73rd Street, Phone: 422-4420, Executive Director - Virginia Beach Restaurant Association. The Association supports the inclusion of funding of Alternative I to improve the 19th Street Corridor. Theresa Brown, 4809 Kempsville Greens Parkway, Phone: 495-4515, represented the Kempsville Greens Civic League, requested pond stabilization on the Kempsville Greens Golf Course. Real estate assessments in Kempsville Greens have increased almost 84%. The golf course has twelve (12) ponds, but only two (2) are threatening properties. Katherine Xefteris, 4753 Red Coat Road, thirty-four year resident, expressed concern re assessments in the Bayside area and requested a reduction in the real estate tax. Ben Krause, 1436 Five Hill Trail, Phone: 486-3721, represented the Tax Payers Alliance, and advised his real estate taxes are $11,000 per year. Mr. Krause referenced last year's budget surplus of $40-MILLION There has consistently been a $25-MILLION surplus each year since 1998. The tax rate could be reduced by approximately $.06. April 20, 2006 - 4- PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE BIENNIAL 2006-2007/FY 2006-07 OPERATING BUDGET AND FY 2006-2007/2011-2012 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM ITEM # 55126 (Continued) William P. Bailey, 4841 Rosecroft Street, Phone: 495-0637, requested real estate tax relief, public safety staffing for the Fire Department (3 firefighters per year) and one more fire station with four-man staffing. Walter Wesolowski, 5287 Club Head Road, Phone: 518-0265, resident of Cypress Point, senior citizen and retiree. Mr. Wesolowshi advised his tax assessment has increased 38.8% this year and requested a decrease in the tax rate. Robert Dean, Communications Director - Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance, 1204 Shawn Drive, Phone: 426-6606, and 45-year resident. Mr. Dean read into the record a letter from Margaret Zontini to the Virginian Pilot concerning excessive spending. Jane Hoden, 3804 Whispering Oaks Place, Phone: 363-0042, owns two (2) units in the Shoreham Square Condo Complex at 19th Street and Mediterranean. Ms. Hoden spoke in support of Alternative I re 19th Street, and the implementation of a first class connection between the Convention Center and the Oceeanfront. There being no further speakers, Mayor Oberndorf CLOSED THE PUBLIC HEARING. April 20, 2006 - 5 - ADJOURNMENT ITEM # 55127 Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf DECLARED the City Council Meeting ADJOURNED at 7:50 P.M. ~____(!~L!!~~ Beverly 0. Hooks, CMC Chief Deputy City Clerk o-:~,____ - ~dges Smith, MMC City Clerk Meyera E. Oberndorf Mayor City of Virginia Beach Virginia April 20, 2006