APRIL 24, 1991 MINUTES
M I N U T E S
VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL
Virglriia Beacii, Vlrginia
April 24, 1991
Vice Mayor Robert E. Fentress called to order the PUBLIC HEARING of the
VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL for the FY 1991-1992 OPERATING BUDGET at Green Run
High School, on Wednesday, April 24, 1991, at 7:00 P.M.
Council Members Present:
John A. Baum, Robert W. Clyburn, Vice Mayor Robert E.
Fentress, Harold Heischober, Louis R. Jones, Paul J.
Lanteigne, Reba S. McClanan, Nancy K. Parker and
William D. Sessoms, Jr.
Council Members Absent:
Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf (RECUPERATING FROM MAJOR SURGERY)
James W. Brazier, Jr.
- 2 -
Item I-A.I. ITEM # 34365
Vice Mayor Robert E. Fentress DECLARED A PUBLIC HEARING:
FY 1991-1992 OPERATING BUDGET
The following spoke expressing their concerns relative various issues:
Cheryll Tokac, 1904 Eastborne Drive, Phone: 721-2773, President of the Virginia
Beach Education Association Mrs. Tokac spoke in SUPPORT of the 1991-92
Operating Budget approved by the Virginia Beach School Board. VBEA requested
an increase in the contribution for health insurance. End-of-year funds,
either from unanticipated revenue or lower than budgeted expenses, should
also be used for mid-year increases in salary and hospitalization benefits,
and an early retirement program for those eligible. Mrs. Tokac distributed a
copy of her statement. Said statement is hereby made a part of the record.
Carl Marshall, 524 Surfside Avenue, Phone: 627-6900 (work), represented the
Sugar Plum Bakery. Based on the grant provided, the Bakery has been able to
expand both on site and off-site training services for the disabled. The
proposed FY 1991-1992 Operating Budget funding is $10,000. Mr. Marshall urged
reinstating funds previously granted.
Steven Kurrle, 208 Farmington Road, Phone: 463-7531, Vice President of
Policeman's Benevolent Association. Mr. Kurrle spoke in OPPOSITION to the
proposed Budget, specifically relative not granting merit and cost of living
pay increases to employees.
Jack Carvil, 528 Edwin Drive, Phone: 857-6061, Member of Library Board. Mr.
Carvil requested $40,000 be allocated to the Library Department's Budget to
finance the Staff needed to allow the Kempsville Library to remain open on
Thursday morning.
Mary Ellen Baldwin, 145 Dupree Avenue, Norfolk, Phone: 587-8844, represented
The Sanctuary of Tidewater. Mrs. Baldwin advised the Sanctuary is a shelter
for pregnant girls and the only facility of its kind existing in Southeastern
Virginia.
Peter Prizzo, Executive Director - The Sanctuary of Tidewater. Mr. Prizzo
advised the City utilized 25% of their facilities and is contributing a little
less than 4% of its total Operating Budget. Mr. Prizzo is requesting full
funding in the amount of $12,929.
Robert Engesser, 5290 Vestry Drive, represented himself. Mr. Engesser requested
the Budget be reduced by ten (10%) percent as the budget did contain waste.
Maureen Olivieri, 881 Winwood Road, Phone: 428-0123, represented the Seaton
House. Seaton House is the only shelter for teenage runaways in Southeastern
Virginia. Mrs. Olivieri requested reinstatement of contract for services with
the City's Juvenile Court Services Unit in the amount of $10,000.
Michael Inman, 2840 South Lynnhaven Road, Phone: 486-7055, represented Seaton
House. Mr. Inman requested reinstatement of contract for services with the
City's Juvenile Court Services Unit in the amount of $10,000.
Robert Manzione, 2025 Falling Sun Lane, Phone: 426-2280, President of the
Virginia Beach Municipal Employee Association. This Association represents
over 700 City employees. The Virginia Beach Municipal Employee Association
OPPOSES the FY 1991-92 OPERATING BUDGET. The Association desires merit and
cost-of-living pay increases for employees, is against the extra 'half hour
workday and the employees absorbing 100% of the increase in health insurance.
Rob Jones, 4904 Preakness Way, Phone: 467-6992, teacher at Independence Junior
High School. Mr. Jones advised the City spends $948 per pupil on education
less than the State average and urged the City invest in the City's future --
their children.
- 3 -
Item I-A.l. ITEM # 34365 (Continued)
Michael Hamar, 1597 Baypoint Drive, Phone: 473-5321 (0)/481-9214 (H), Co-
Chairman of Parents for Quality Education. Mr. Hamar distributed his
statement, which is hereby made a part of the record. PQE does not support
the proposed FY 1991-92 OPERATING BUDGET in total. PQE cannot endorse the
Administration, Attendance and Health and the Operations and Maintenance
categories of the proposed School Budget and requested the City Council
reject these proposed budgets until all unnecessary administrative positions
have been eliminated and further operational and maintenance cost reductions
are realized. The PQE requested all other categories of the proposed 1991-92
School Board Budget be approved and an increase in the real estate tax rate
to the extent necessary to fund the increase in the instructional category.
Joe Gywnn, 4916 Gulfstream Circle, Phone: 495-1600, represented Citizens for
Better Education. Citizens for Better Education OPPOSES the real estate tax
increase and funding for the school's counseling program. The Citizens for
Better Education requested the City Council reexamine the School Budget.
Shawn Hendrick, 827 Avatar Drive, Phone: 426-2698, resident of Ocean Lakes.
Mrs. Hendrick requested consolidation of City and School Divisions (i.e.
maintenance, security). Mrs. Hendrick requested reexamination of City provided
vehicles. Mrs. Hendrick was in OPPOSITION to the proposal of not providing
merit and cost-of-living pay increases to employees as well as reduction of
Fire Department staff.
John Ford, 648 Kings Grant Road, Phone: 340-6264, represented the Sugar Plum
Bakery. Mr. Ford urged at least one 'half of the funds previously granted be
reinstated. This Bakery is one of the few facilities in the nation making
handicapped individuals wage-earning citizens. Other than City funds, no other
government funds are provided.
Edward Redfern, for Richard H. Powell, 1053 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Phone:
491-2846, represented Virginia Beach Christian Outreach. This facility has
provided assistance to 545 single men and women during the past sixteen
months. For the second year, this facility was turned down for the grant
program. Mr. Redfern requested the City evaluate priorities for recommending
grants to agencies.
Wray Boswell, 1701 Lolly Circle, Phone: 468-2846, represented the Fraternal
Order of Police. The Fraternal Order of Police requested merit pay increases
to encourage junior officers, which constitute the lower end of the pay scale.
The FOP requested City Council provide a mechanism for the City to pay for
health insurance increases and reconsider all cuts in the Law Enforcement
(Police, Commonwealth Attorney, Sheriff) budget.
Franne Whitney Nelson, 204 27th Street, Suite D, Phone: 491-0823, represented
Hospice Care. Even though, the Hospice Grant was cut, considering condition of
economy, she wanted to express appreciation.
Ray LeSesne, 5235 Thornbury, Phone: 497-8008, represented himself. Mr.
LeSesne was concerned relative the increase in debt services and OPPOSED to
the use of the $80-MILLION Road Bonds. With the reduction in Planning items,
there should also be a reduction in staff of the Planning Department. Mr.
LeSesne believed the Budget Office to be overstaffed and suggested
consolidation of City and School departments. Mr. LeSesne was in OPPOSITION
to the real estate tax increase.
Janet Turlington, 4494 Blackwater Road, Phone: 421-0106, City Employee. Mrs.
Turlington spoke in OPPOSITION to not providing merit and cost-of-living
increases to employees, the extra 'half hour workday and the City's Health
Insurance. Mrs. Turlington has been forced to change doctors frequently
because of the City's variable Health Insurance plans.
John Moss, 4021 Glen Road, Phone: 498-0318, represented himself. Mr. Moss
OPPOSED the real estate tax increase and requested reduction in the Executive
Pay Plan and car allowance. Mr. Moss believed the Department relative
Information Technology should be contracted out, which is the standard in
private industry. The City should investigate reducing management not
eliminating first line people.
- 4 -
Item I-A.I. ITEM # 34365 (Continued)
Michael Cromwell 3837 Lampl Avenue, Phone; 486-3939, a Virginia Beach
Cromwell requested reevaluation of priorities and support of
firefighter. Mr. esource -- their employees.
a cost of living increase of the City's valuable r
Barbara Principe, 5152 Hemlock Avenue, Phone: 495-1474, teac@er at Green Run
High School. Mrs. Principe spoke in support of a merit/cost-of-living pay
increase and increase in benefits to City Employees. Mrs. Principe suggested
the Sales Tax be raised rather than the real estate tax.
Sheldon Corner, 325 Susan Constant Drive, Phone: 428-1731, President of North
Virginia Beach Civic League. Mr. Corner expressed concerns relative the
elimination by the City of the Weights and Measures Program. The State will be
performing the function.
There being no further speakers, the Vice Mayor CLOSED the PUBLIC HEARING.
5
Item
ADJOURNMENT ITEM # 34366
Upon motion by Councilman Baum, and BY CONSENSUS, CitY Council ADJOURNED the
PUBLIC HEARING at 8:28 P.M-
Vice Mayor
R th Hodg S.',th, CMC
City Clerk
City ot Virginia Beach
Virginia