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Home My WebLink AboutAPRIL 22, 2010 MINUTES-1- MINUTES VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL Virginia Beach, Virginia April 22, 2010 Mayor William D. Sessoms, Jr. called to order the Virginia Beach City Council's SPECIAL FORMAL SESSION, At Tallwood High School, on Thursday ,April 22, 2010, at 6:00 P.M. Council Members Present.• Rita Sweet Bellitto, William R. "Bill " DeSteph, Harry E. Diezel, Robert M. Dyer, Barbara M. Henley, Vice Mayor Louis R. Jones, Mayor William D. Sessoms, Jr., John E. Uhrin, Rosemary Wilson and James L. Wood Council Members Absent: Glenn R. Davis [Attending Conference in Washington, D.C.J April 22, 2010 -2- MAYOR'S CALL FOR FORMAL SESSION ITEM # 59838 Mayor Sessoms read the Mayor's Call for Special Formal Session: Apri120, 2010 "THE HONORABLE MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL In accordance with the Virginia Beach City Code Section 2-21, and by the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Virginia Beach, I hereby call for a SPECIAL FORMAL SESSION of the VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL at Tallwood High School, on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at 6:00 P.M. for the following purpose: Public Hearing: FY 2010-2011 MANAGEMENT RESOURCE PLAN Sincerely, William D. Sessoms, Jr. Mayor " April 22, 2010 4 - .,.~. .. ~~ X 0 ~~ s;, ~ '~ v Cit of Vir irZia Y ~ Beach v 2 Z 2 e~99'Fs ~ 0~v r O N F OUR NAS~~ VBgov.cam WILLIAM D. SESSOMS, JR. MUNICIPAL CENTER MAYOR BUILDING 1 2407 COURTHOUSE DRIVE VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23456-9000 (757)385-4581 Apri120, Z~.10 FAX (757)385-5699 wsessomsC~3vbgov.com THE HONORABLE MEMBERS OF CITY CO UNCIL In accordance with the Virginia Beach City Code Section 2-21, and by the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Virginia Beach, I hereby call for a SPECIAL FORMAL SESSION of the VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL at Tallwood High School, on Thursday, Apri122, 2010, at 6:00 P.M. for the following purpose: Public Hearing: FY 2010-2011 MANAGEMENT RESOURCE PLAN Sincereely, ~~~ ~/C/ William D. Sessoms, jr. Mayor cc.' Mayor and Members of City Council fames K. Spore, City Manager Mark D. Stiles, City Attorney Lyndon S, Remias, City Auditor Ruth Hodges Fraser, MMC, City Clerk Susan D. Walston, Deputy City Manager Robert S. Herbert, Deputy City Manager David L. Hansen, Deputy City Manager Catheryn WhiteseQ Director ofManagement Services Mary Hancock, Media and Communications Administrator Matt CernigGaro, Director ofMultimedia Services 4 ~ - X 0 . ,~. ~ s:, v r City of Virginia Beach __ ~= z 2 ` yo 0~G ~99'~s O N5 F BUR NA11~ VBgov.com WILLIAM D. SESSOMS, JR. MUNICIPAL CENTER MAYOR BUILDING 1 2401 COURTHOUSE DRIVE VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23456-9000 (757)385-4581 Apri120, Z~I~ FAX (757)385-5699 wsessomsC vbgov.com THE HONORABLE MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL In accordance with the Virginia Beach Ciry Code Section 2-21, and by the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Virginia Beach, I hereby call for a SPECIAL FORMAL SESSION of the VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL at Tallwood High School on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at 6:00 P.M. for the following purpose: Public Hearing: FY 2010-2011 MANAGEMENT RESOURCE PLAN Sincerely, C~ William D. Sessoms, jr. Mayor Virginia Beach City Council Received Notice Rita Sweet Bellitto Glenn R. Davis William R. "Bill " DeSteph Harry E. Diezel Robert M. Dyer Barbara B. Henley Vice Mayor Louis R. Jones John E. Uhrin Rosemary Wilson James L. Wood -3- ITEM # 59839 Mayor Sessoms advised the Speakers will be limited to three-minutes time limit. In order to be fair to all, the Mayor must hold firm to this time limit. The following registered to speak: Mike Aschkenas, 2805 West Point Court, Phone: 463-6914, Board Member -Virginia Beach Project Lifesaver, a non profit SOl (c-3) organization which places arm, wrist, ankle bands on persons with Alzheimer's, autism as well as other mental disabilities. If these individuals wander off, Project Lifesafer is able to find them very quickly. The program is operated by the Police Department with an average funding time of thirty (30) minutes. Search and rescue usually takes between eight (8) and nine (9) hours to rescue these individuals. Six (6) to eight (8) Police Officers are utilized as opposed to Search and Rescue's twenty (20) or more. Project Lifesaver has a 100% success rate in well over frfty (SO) searches in the City of Virginia Beach. This service is provided approximately 130 persons. There are 400 children in the School system with autism. There are S, 000 persons in Virginia Beach with Alzeheimers (60% have a tendency to wander). A pilot program has been established to furnish the transmitters, batteries and battery testers, at no charge, to individuals in need. A grant was requested from the Community Organization Grants. Unfortunately, this has been cut from the budget. Mr. Aschkenas asked City Council to please consider placing some of this back into the COG Grant. Lisbet Dula, 6300 East Virginia Beach /Boulevard, Phone: 351-1573, represented Endependence Center (did not answer call) Kerry Hughes, 2552 Springhaven Drive, Phone: 563-8789, (did not answer call) Terry Jenkins, 1016 Camino Real South, Phone: 301-2382, Volunteer with a variety of non profit Organizations and faith-based efforts. Dr. Jenkins spoke to the needs of people who are served by the Department of Human Services and expressed concern re proposed budgetary reductions. The Department of Human Services is a safety net for Beach residents who need help as a result of illness, poverty, disability, violence and abuse. Individuals served are the most vulnerable persons in the community and include children who have been abused and are in Foster Care, adults with mental illness and developmental disabilities, homeless families, neglected elderly and emotionally disturbed children. There are no other options these individuals have that are not provided for by the Department. Human Services has already lost $I.S-MILLION in State funding and with the proposed $1.9-MILLION reduction in City dollars, the impact will be devastating. The Department currently has a waiting list of 1, 000 individuals for services which cannot be provided due to budgetary restrictions. With the loss of City funding, those numbers are going to drastically increase after July First. Non profit organizations and faith-based groups in Virginia Beach are doing the best they can, but cannot afford the casualties that will come with these budgetary reductions. Donna Reeb, 1801 Camelot Drive, Phone: 893-761 S, represented Endependence Center as a client and advocate. Ms. Reed was married for twenty-nine years. Since last August, she finds herself with no where to go. The Center has arranged for resources for housing and investigation of her circumstances. Endependence Center has given her many applications and assisted with the completion. The Center needs the funding to keep the programs going. At forty-seven years old, she finds herself lost. The Endependence Center has allowed her to find the resources available in the community. April 22, 2010 -4- ITEM # 59839 (Continued) Wanda Tatum, 5216 Breezewood Arch, Phone: 467-8509, resident of a Virginia Beach Condominium Association. Condo owners do not receive trash pickup from the City, but must pay private contractors for the service. Trash collection is paid out of our real estate taxes. There should be a separate fee for trash collection instead of being a part of our real estate tax. That way, only the residents who receive this service pay for it. The City of Portsmouth handles it correctly by having a trash collection fee and so should the City of Virginia Beach. This is unjust to Condominium owners. Ms. Tatum requested this process be stopped immediately. She is retired, on a frxed income and cannot afford to pay twice for trash collection Adam Hall, 2400 Bough Court 23454, Phone: 426-3868, Volunteer with the Teen Advisory Group of the Princess Anne Library. This Group volunteers at programs other volunteers give. Children are assisted with crafts. Adam has heard the library will be closed earlier during the week and on Sundays. This would hurt the Volunteers as the programs are conducted during this time. The students who do not have computers at home would also be hurt by being unable to work later. Mr. Hall urged the times be sustained. Herb Browne, 5300 A Lakeside Avenue 23451 Phone: 284-7531, President -Friends of Virginia Beach Police Mounted Patrol. The Friends are a small, not for profit organization that raises funds throughout the year to support the Mission of the Mounted Patrol. Mr. Browne requested the FY2011 proposed Budget be reviewed. This Budget reduces by SO% those mounted Officers currently serving citizens, business owners and tourists in Virginia Beach. This proposed reduction will decrease the Police Department Budget by $525, 000, with great cost to safety, security and crowd control. With seven (7) fewer mounted Officers, the unit will not provide nightly coverage at the Oceanfront during the Summer, will not patrol Town Center and will limit patrols to problem neighbors and high school football games. The remaining seven (7) Officers will not be able to handle multiple occurring events and will respond to only fifty percent (SO%) of current crowd control events a year. The Mounted Patrol arrests and summons will be reduced to 350 in 2011, down from 700 in 2010. Kathryn Gage, 1611 Maize Court Phone: 202-1156, represented the Endependence Center. The Center assisted her with two (2) apartments. Without them, there would be no assistance for her. Tom Langley, referenced the City Town Hall Meetings in response to the on-line survey, supported a real estate rate adjustment in lieu of further reduced services by a "two to one "margin. The City Manager provided a sensible budget that balances revenue adjustments and service reductions. Mr. Langley applauded his efforts in that regard. Second is pensions. Mr. Langley is a lifelong Virginia Beach resident and the owner of a Civil Engineering firm in Virginia Beach. His firm is smaller now than a year ago. There have been layoffs and salary reductions. Mr. Langley is working without a salary at the present time. His company has positioned itself to survive. They have reduced their pensions by stopping the employee match to the 401(k). His firm serves on Mayor Sessoms' Pension Committee. He learned in detail the benefit program and the pension program. An overwhelming Majority of private businesses have evolved away from the Defined Benefit program in favor of the Defined Contribution program (like the 401 (k) program. The Defined Benefit Programs have proven to be unsustainable. Pension costs have crippled new businesses and are currently crippling many states and cities. In the FY2011 Budget, the City's Pension costs will exceed $SO-MILLION. It has doubled in the past six (6) years. The City pays both the employer's and the employees' contribution to the pension plan. Virginia is just one of a couple of states that pays the employee portion. Is it reasonable to do so in order to be competitive where private enterprise is no longer a valid excuse. The Bureau of Labor Statistics for the Hampton Roads Region compared the cost, the wages for the public sector versus the private sector and found that the public sector is paid higher than the private sector. When benefits are added, it is even a better package. There is one option left and that is to require all new employees to pay their own employee contribution. Apri122, 2010 -5- ITEM # 59839 (Continued) Reid Greenmun, 2405 Cl~Cutter Drive, Phone: 615-4533, Vice Chairman -Virginia Beach Taxpayer's Alliance. Mr. Greenmun was accompanied by his daughter. Mr. Greenmum referenced the `pocket" brochure FY 2010-1 Proposed Resource Management Plan This is very easy to understand. Mr. Geenmum spent about an hour reviewing the brochure and found more than enough funds to make up the $40-MILLION shortfall in the Operating Budget. He suggested the Departments of Economic Development and Convention and Visitor Development (combine them into one (1) department) and then cut this in `half. The City is not receiving its return on investment from the Millions `pumping" into these entities. The Mayor said he would endorse a Referendum re Light Rail; however, $1 S-MILLION has been expended on Light Rail and other funds continue to be expended with no word of a Referendum. Mr. Greenmum suggested forgoing the Light Rail, as the City cannot afford it. Mr. Greenmun displayed what the City's tax rate would be if City Council had not voted every year since 2001 to raise the tax rate after it was automatically lowered because of the state law to avoid residents from being taxed out of their homes. The tax rate would be 52 cents for $100 of assessed value. At the present time, it is eighty-nine cents. The City Manager proposed to raise it an additional 3 cents to 92 cents. That would mean there is over $100-MILLION in debt service contained in the Resource Management Plan (Town Center, projects that do not bring in any return on investment). Mr. Greenmun recommended a Moratorium on these types of investment projects and to review the Capital Improvement Budget. Think about my daughter, who will be "stuck" paying for these items. Craig Hudgins, Virginia Beach Taxpayer's Alliance, promotes private sector job growth and the opportunity for families to keep more of the money they earn through a reduction of City government and more effective government. Over the next ten (10) speakers, Virginia Tax Payer's Alliance will communicate their opposition to the City Manager's Budget recommendations built on tax and fee increases, false choices and fear. The Virginia Beach Taxpayer's Alliance endorses the alternative recommendation of Councilman Bill DeSteph. It appears there is an inverse relationship between salaries of the leadership and the ability to "make do with what you have ". Councilman DeSteph donates his salary and represents Virginia Beach for `free ". He has suggested providing central services without a tax increase. Mr. Spore cannot get the job done without higher taxes and fees. The Mayor is joined by Council Lady Henley to keep on spending by raising taxes and fees and borrowing. VBTA supports reducing the financial stress on Beach families by freezing the real estate tax at 89 cents and lower the taxes for thee (3) years. John Kuchta, Virginia Beach Taxpayer's Alliance, small businessman, homeowner. Mr. Kuchta referenced City Council is considering the Hampton Roads Transportation Authority. City Council, with the exception of Council Members Henley and McClanan, voted for the Authority. This was subsequently denied by the Virginia State Supreme Court. Mr. Kuchta believes the worse is ahead of us. Mr. Kuchta referenced the Mayor's recent "State of the City "speech. He stated it is d~cult to understand why the Mayor and City Manager are recommending budgets far out of alignment with reality. The Mayor's whole focus is on inputs. Not once did the Mayor address the outcomes that local government should be measured against. Taxpayers have suffered over a decade with City governments spending on taxes that has increased double, and sometimes triple, the growth and family income. The Virginia Beach Taxpayer's Alliance recommends adopting an outcome based approach centered on local government, living within its means. Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance proposes outcomes by which local government is held accountable for being effective and efficient. Apri122, 2010 -6- ITEM # 59839 (Continued) Sandy Linkous, Virginia Beach Taxpayer's Alliance, now is the appropriate time to revisit a few facts to remind City Council and fellow residents the financial road the City Manager and City Council, with the exception of Councilman DeSteph, built that has gotten the City into the current situation. Lack of preparation is not an excuse for poor performance. It is refreshing to learn that nine (9) Council Members have publicly disassociated with the flawed City Manager's recommendation and the Mayor's and City Council Lady Henley's equally flawed recommendation. Nine (9) of you are correct. It is not the time to increase taxes and fees when people and businesses are struggling to make ends meet. Councilman DeSteph is the only proven physical conservative on City Council. Bud Keen, Virginia Beach Taxpayer's Alliance, long time resident of the City. Virginia Beach Taxpayer's Alliance wants to remind the public of the Mayor's and City Manager's rhetoric distortion. They advocate the future to subsidize their leadership before assisting financially struggling businesses and families at risk within the City. The Mayor and City Manager have already waived the "red "flag that if taxes are not raised unacceptable risks will have to be taken in public safety. Public Safety is the primary responsibility of our local government, followed by essential expenses for public education. Therefore, the first thing the City Council should be funding is the Police, Fire and Rescue services to the appropriate level of acceptable risk. It could never be that taxes have to be raised to increase Public Safety. Virginia Beach Taxpayer's Alliance does not believe the School Board's Budget is as lean as it could be nor does it fully exploit technology to deliver academy quality educational opportunities, without physically transporting students. VBTA does not believe the Virginia Beach School Board has maximized the opportunity to reduce its infrastructure footprint and dispose of excess properties. VBTA does believe that resources should be realigned from the City to the School Board to accelerate school construction on a `pay as you go "basis. Wally Erb, Virginia Beach Taxpayer's Alliance reminded the City Council of governing principles and elements that the City Council should adopt in building a common sense budget. The VBTA wishes the City Council to reject the Mayor's and City Manager's recommended budgets. No new taxes or fees, increased to existing tax rates and fee structures, next year spending significantly less than this year's spending, no new net limit issued in FY 2010- 2011 Operating Budget, which also includes the Virginia Beach Development Authority. Police Officers on the street, Fire Fighters on the trucks and Teachers in the classrooms are the only positions exempt from consideration of living within this revenue stream. Until the Public's Referendum has been conducted on light rail, there must be no direct or indirect expenditures to include land acquisition on the light rail or obligations by way of agreements of any kind to future, direct, or indirect expenditures. Barriers must be reduced to bring more jobs to Virginia Beach. Petey Browder, Virginia Beach Taxpayer's Alliance, advised this physical environment has gone under a structural change. City Council must adept its spending, borrowing and taxing behaviors for the better. VBTA is only asking City Council to make the same tough choices as Beach families have to balance their budgets. There are many opportunities to reduce the expenses of local government. The decisions you have made in the past to take on excessive debt and the decisions you have made recently on how to spend the City's cash revenue is why you find yourselves at odds between residents and the City. Phasing out the BPOL tax and eliminating the machinery and tool tax will create immediate private sector jobs in Virginia Beach. April 22, 2010 ~- ITEM# 59839 (Continued) Robert Dean, Communications Director -Virginia Beach Taxpayer's Alliance, 49 year resident of Virginia Beach. The VBTA wants to recap the "state " of the Virginia Beach resident. No pay raise last year. No raise this year. Employees might even have their hours reduced as well. Employer has stopped contributing to their 401 (k) Retirement Plan. A member of their family has been laid off for the last twelve (12) months, no increase in their Social Security check this year or next year. No increase in their company retirement. There is a one in four chance of being upside down in their house, which is mortgage being more than the current value of their home. They are likely financially less secure than last year and just "a paycheck away "from being behind on their bills. Tax relief should be the "talk of the town ". Mr. Dean left Bumper Stickers: "Raise my tax, Lose my vote . Rick Kowalewitch, Virginia Beach Taxpayer's Alliance, advised the unanswered question is why we, the Public, find ourselves here tonight. The Chesapeake City Council advised their City Manager, to Provide a balanced Budget without increasing taxes or fees. Why would our Mayor, our City Manager and some City Council Members, who ran on a conservative platform, advocate, without physical discipline, under the current economic crisis of all levels of Government. Virginia Beach should follow Chesapeake's example. A recent article from Harvard Business School entitled "Ruthlessly Realistic" provides a valuable insight into failures to recognize reality. Leslie Jones, Virginia Beach Taxpayer's Alliance, resident since 1961, displayed a dollar on a placard. VBTA suspects the Mayor, City Council and City Manager are not accustomed to the frankness of the VBTA's constructive criticism and their judge of assessments of their annual Budgets. The Mayor and City Council failed to recognize and do the obvious: "Tell the City Manager upfront to deliver a no tax, fee increase budget recommendation. "The Mayor and City Council should have followed the City of Chesapeake. Sustainable prosperity and rising living standards happen when the public purse is kept small and the private purse large. Let us honor the wisdom and sacrifices of our Founding Fathers. The simple lessons are best. Ms. Jones quoted James Madison and Thomas Jefferson : "He who governs least, governs best. "and "I predict the future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the Government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. I think myself that we have more machinery of government than is necessary, too many parasites living on the labor of the industrious. " John Moss, Chairman -Virginia Beach Taxpayer's Alliance VBTA for eight (8) years has appeared at this Budgetary Public Hearing. The future predicted by VBTA was coming, has arrived. The consequences of City Council's ill advised choices during the times of plenty as VBTA predicted are being painfully felt. VBTA has stressed the need to create private sector jobs, financed by private sector spending. VBTA is closing with our pro job, pro business and pro family agenda. The game changer to create public sector jobs and boost our economy is reducing taxes and fees on business and reducing public spending. Specifically, City Council needs to phase out the BPOL tax and machinery and tool tax for the next four (4) years. City Council needs to freeze spending for the next three (3) years and specifically the City Council must direct the City Manager to generate 2% labor productivity each year to generate 2% total compensation savings with those savings reinvested in compensating employees. Specfically, the City Council must, for the next three (3) years issue "no more debt ". All capital spending must be on a `pay as you go "basis to create budgetary jlexibility. April 22, 2010 -8- ITEM # 59839 (Continued) Jimmy Frost, 2240 Windom Place, spoke relative the seizure of 96 animals by Animal Control in 2004 from a friend of his. The off cers made the acquisition that proper care was not provided for the animals. and then proceeded to take them to an animal shelter (which is in itself in violation of State Law). Under the provisions of State Law, the State can fine the City of Virginia Beach up to $1, 000 every day for each existing violation (which could equate to $1.4-MILLION over the two years to build a new Animal Shelter. The Animal Shelter is again being placed "on hold ". Erma Pete Brauer, 3200 Westwood Crest, Portsmouth, Phone: 484-5189, expressed appreciation to her group -Virginia Association of the Blind. Ms. Brauer understood the City was planning to cut the book readers and requested this not be done. Her sanity was saved last year. Without the readers, she did not think she could make it through the Winter. She has no family here - only friends and must rely on them for her transportation, et cetera. Larry Livingston, 4768 Hermitage Road, Phone: 460-3115, represented Virginia Beach Emergency Response Team. The Mayor indicated the Fire Department would be running the VBCERT program. A dedicated individual, Cookie Ketcham, is running the team. The current budget is $S0, 000 a year, which is not very much. She commands approximately 700 volunteers. Those 700 volunteers last year put in about 35, 000 to 38, 000 hours. The City Manager is willing to do away with her and replace her with a highly trained Fireman, who will be receiving overtime. Do not cut Public Safety. Doug Duggan, 5241 Johnstown Lane, Phone: 467-6607, Training Specialist -Virginia Beach Community Response Team (VBCERT). Mr. Duggan spoke on behalf of Cookie Ketcham, Director and Coordinator. She is very active in the program. CERT cannot run without her in this position as full time. A part time Volunteer and Coordinator would not be successful. She teaches six to seven classes per year, averaging fifteen to twenty people per class. The City needs to look at her position of $S0, 000 and reinstate her, maintain her position for next year. Besides handling her salary, she secures a lot of money through FEMA grants, which run the program. Cookie reports to West Virginia quarterly for meetings. A part time Fireman would never handle the position. John Roberts, 1464 PearTree Arch, Phone: 409-9610, CERT, spoke on behalf of Cookie Ketcham. Mr. Robert has been involved twenty-six years as a Disaster Instructor. This course, provided by the City, is uniquely beyond the Red Cross training. On April 13, 2010, an earthquake occurred in Bluefield, Virginia. Dr. Gray presented his updated predictions, fifteen (1 S) main storms, five (S) major hurricanes, and eight (8) non-major hurricanes. There is also the probability of a hurricane of significant increase hitting Virginia Beach this Season. This CERT program helps the public and businesses to develop their own disaster preparedness. Mr. Roberts requested reconsideration of cutting this position. A paid Fireman would not provide the dedication of Cookie. Mike Barrett, represented Virginia Beach Visions, and advised the Budget presented by the City Manager actually cuts $80.3-MILLION this year. This is an extraordinary frgure and will have significant effect on services. If past City Councils had been told, as you are being told, to act today to just "cut" and not invest, it is quite clear to the those of us in the business community that instead of having the lowest tax rate in the region, the City would start off today with the highest tax rate in the region. Past City Councils understood and knew it was up to the City of Virginia to adopt financial strategies that would promote the interest in the commercial tax base. The result is the largest City in the Commonwealth with the lowest tax rate in Hampton Roads. Virginia Beach Visions is very interested in the continuation of these excellent fiscal policies. April 22, 2010 -9- ITEM # 59839 (Continued) Debbie Hearst Gregory, 5584 Arboretum Avenue, Phone: 270-0965, spoke re Public Safety. The City employees make the City great (for three years, with no pay raise and no cost of living raise). Life safety interacts with the public on a daily basis, educating them and keeping them safe. Virginia Beach is the safest city in the region. Do not cut Public Safety in any aspect. Taking people from Public Safety and moving them around is going to cause the City to be reactive, not proactive. The City would be foolish to lose Cookie Ketcham, who possesses the necessary networking and communication skills. She is a Member of the FEMA Board. In the event of an emergency, she coordinates the volunteers. No one can do the job better than Cookie Neal Jeffries, 5440 Stewart Drive, Phone: 353-1528, spoke re good stewardship. What decisions have been made in the past cannot necessarily be changed but can be lessons in stewardship. The decision has not been made on light rail; however, some funds have been expended. What benefit does light rail provide as currently envisioned? The tourists could travel from Waterside and the Beach Front. The "thugs "have been assisted who wanted to get out of Norfolk and visit us. This is not helping our citizens. It is not a way to get to work. It does not go to the location of our economic engines: Town Center, Laskin Road, Oceanfront, big expenses. Funds should be expended on the protection of Oceana, which assists our City in major ways. Mr. Jeffries expressed concern re police cruisers outside Precincts with engines running. This is an unnecessary gasoline expense. Chris Topping, 5416 Birnam Landing, Phone: 288-2428, represented CERT. A lot of the funds to this City are through tourism. Part of the reason they come is some of the programs which utilize the City Volunteers and resources to provide safety for them. Virginia Beach can assure not only their success, but their safety, as well. These organizations rely heavily on the Volunteers to assist in the safe operation of their event. CERT volunteers assist with traffic control, parking, group management, et cetera. The CERT volunteer is often the first person the tourist sees. CERT's budget is $S0, 000. How much Tourism funds are brought into the City because of CERT? Hazel Burton, 7843 Azalea Garden Road, Norfolk, Virginia Association for the Blind, spoke re cutting of services at Bayside Special Library. Some of the members never get to go anyplace but the Bayside Special Library. The Association for the Blind also has a support group which meets at Bayside the fast of every month. Ms. Burton advised twenty (20) visually impaired individuals are regularly in attendance. Ms. Burton advised all pay taxes and are registered voters. Steve Willcox, 2605 Wilkes Drive, Phone: 427-0291, resident of Courthouse Estates, spoke re property tax rate. Most citizens will be paying less tax than the previous year, a higher tax rate, but less tax. The City's website states: "The City of Virginia Beach exists to enhance the economic, educational, social and physical quality of the community and provide sustainable municipal services valued by its citizens. " Services cost and are paid through various revenue sources. He urged adoption of the budget that includes the City Manager's tax rate increase. Kerry Hughes, 2552 Springhaven Drive, Phone: 563-8789, Junior at Princess Anne High School and a Volunteer at Princess Anne Library for approximately four (4) years. Ms. Hughes requested City Council reconsider the cuts to library hours. Natasha Clarke, 2509 Chubb Lake Avenue, Phone: 553-0689, requested funding for the new Animal Shelter. The replacement of the shelter is inevitable. It is also inevitable the construction cost will only increase with time. The shelter is listed as No. 1 in the Capital Improvement Program, but not fully funded while other projects are. Chesapeake has already funded their new shelter. Photographs of the conditions of the shelter were displayed. April 22, 2010 -10- ITEM # 59839 (Continued) Maureen Stockton, 5300 Cerino Court, Phone: 531-7630, Home School Mother spoke re faith-based organizations. Libraries should not be a babysitting facility. Projects should be done at home with parents. The Blind should not have to pay extra taxes for this service. Shelby Ehlers, 2509 Esplanade Drive, Phone: 403-5163, Senior at Princess Anne High School, Member of International Bacculerat Program. Ms. Ehlers has been volunteering with the Princess Anne Library for four (4) years, she spoke relative the importance of libraries being open. The Libraries are the refuge for some students. Leo Johnson, 1464 Maharis Road, Phone: SI 5-4930, cutting emergency services tells the citizens you do not care about their safety. Mr. Johnson moved to this area for the great schools and safety. He is seeing this deteriorate. People come here for safety and education. Education is our future. Darrel Johnston, 1287 Holland Road, one of the owners of All City Cab/ red/white checker. Mr. Johnston strongly opposed rate increases for taxi permits from $10 to $100. These individuals could least likely afford this increase. The other cities charge from $20 to $25 a year. One city charges $SO for two (2) years. Mr. Johnston proposed the City charge every two (2) years. One of the largest companies in the Southeast taxi business is operating out of Virginia Beach; however, they do not have an office here. They are just registering the cars at one of the owner's homes. Alton Miller, 521 Royal Palm Drive, recognized the Mayor and Vice Mayor and all in attendance. Mr. Miller wished expenses cut and did not want to raise taxes. A lot of money is being wasted. Large vehicles as SUV's are not necessary. There are these large City vehicles carrying only one individual. Some say Battalion Chief. City Inspectors just ride around (one person in a vehicle). Gas is utilized for private use as the vehicles are driven home. Schools have special programs, maybe three (3) days of academics and two (2) days of dance. The City cannot afford these expenses. There should be basic academics without many frills. Helicopters are flying over the houses to inspect our property. Mary Franke, spoke relative her Aunt losing her vision, living in a farm house in Virginia. She received books on tape and the machine through the mail. If the machine broke, it had to be sent back through the mail and then it was weeks before it was returned. In Virginia Beach, there is a wonderful Special Services Library. It is a community. Young children also attend for activities with other individuals. If a young Child in Chesapeake desires a book, they do not have to wait weeks. A disabled veteran desiring a book can have it retrieved by their spouse. If a handicapped person has a stroke and needs to change from one type of equipment to another, the Library knows the users and takes special care of them. The Regional Special Services Library has saved her life and is a jewel in Virginia Beach. Bob Weinstein, 4632 Bradston Road, Nuclear Engineer at Norfolk Naval Engineer, graduated from a school in Greensboro, North Carolina, whose bricks were laid in the 1800's. The schools is still in service today and graduating frne students. His daughter graduated from Ocean Lakes with a $200, 000 flag pole that does not work to this day. Mr. Weinstein urged all to look on the NET to see what is expected of an eighth grader to know in the 1890's. We do not have College Graduates today that could pass this test. There being no further speakers, Mayor Sessoms CLOSED THE PUBIC HEARING. April 22, 2010 -11- ADJOURNMENT ITEM # 59840 Mayor William D. Sessoms DECLARED the City Council Meeting ADJOURNED at 8:03 P.M. Beverly O. Hooks, CMC Chief Deputy City Clerk Ruth Hodges Fraser, MMC City Clerk City of Virginia Beach Virginia William D. Sessoms, Jr. Mayor April 22, 2010 ADJOURNMENT ITEM # 59840 Mayor William D. Sessoms DECLARED the City Council Meeting ADJOURNED at 8:03 P.M. Cs~~ o. y~~~`~ -------= ~~ ---------------- Beverly O. Hooks, CMC Chief Deputy City Clerk - - - - ---- --------l-Y~c~ --- i~,'~~-_ _ -------------- Ruth Hodges Fraser, MMC William D. Sessoms, Jr. City Clerk Mayor City of Virginia Beach Virginia April 22, 2010