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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMAY 1, 2014 SPECIAL FORMAL SESSION MINUTESCITY OF VIRGINIA BEACH "COMMUNITY FOR A LIFETIME" CITY COUNCIL MAYOR WILLlAM D. SESSOMS, JR., At Large V/CE MAYOR LOU/S R. JONES, Bavside - Disti-ict 4 ROBERT M. DYER, CenteiviUe - District 7 BARBARA M. HENI.EY, Princess Aiane - Disti-ict 7 SHANNON DS KANE, Rose Ha[[ - Disti-ict 3 BRAD MARTlN, P.L., At Lnrge JOHN D. MOSS, A! Laige AMELIA ROSS-HAMMOND, Kempsvi[le - Disti-ict 2 JOHN E. UHR/N. Bendi - Disti-ict 6 ROSEMARY WlLSON, At Lnrge JAMES L. WOOD, Lvmthaveri -District S CITY COUNCIL APPOINTEES CITY MANAGER - JAMES K. SPORE CITYATTORNEY- MARKD.STILES ClTY ASSESSOR - JERALD D. BANAGAN CITYAUDITOR- LYNDONS. REM/AS ClTY GLERK - RUTH HODGES FRASER, MMC CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP AGENDA 1 May 2014 SPECIAL FORMAL SESSION KEMPSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL 6:00 PM 1. PUBLIC HEARING , CITYHALL BUIGDING 2401 COURTHOUSEDRIVE VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA 23456-8005 PHONE: (757) 385-4303 FAX (757) 385-5669 E-MAIL: ctycnc!@vbgov.com A. FY2014-2015 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN (Budget) -1- MINUTES VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL Virginia Beach, Virginia May1,2014 Council Lady Henley called to order the Virginia Beach Ciry Council's SPECIAL FORMAL SESSION and PUBLIC HEARING, at Kempsville High School, on Thursdcry, May 1, 2014, at 6: 00 P.M. Council Members Present: Robert M. Dyer, Amelia N. Ross-Hammond, Barbara M. Henley, Shannon DS Kane, Brad Martin, John D. Moss, John E. Uhrin, Rosemary Wilson and James L. Wood Coirncil Members Absent: Vice Mayor Louis R. Jones detained at business meeting Mayor William D. Sessoms, Jr. out of City on business May 1, 2014 -2- MAYOR'S CALL FOR FORMAL SESSION Council Lady Henley read the Mayor's Call for Speciul Formcil Session and Public Hecaring: Apri121, 2014 "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 COt1NCIL at 6:00 PM, Thursday, May 1, 2014, at Keinpsville High School. The purpose of this SPECIAL FORMAL SESSION is to conduct the advertised PUBLIC HEARING on the FY20I4-201 S Resource Management Plan, including "Tax on Real Properry ". We have scheduled the School to provide citizens a convenient location to express their concerns on the proposed FY2014 - 2015 Budget. Sincerely, William D. Sessoms, Jr. Mayor " May 1, 2014 -3- Council Lady Henley DECLARED A Pl1BLIC HEARING and stated: The FY2014-I5 Operating Budget, as submitted to City Counci[, proposes maintaining the current real estute tcrx rate at $0.93 on each $100 of crssessed real property. Due to the appreciation of real property witlzin the City, the proposecl rate results in an effective increase in taxes of inore than 1. 00%. Therefore, Section 58.1-3321 of the Code of Virginiu requires and the City Council hereby opens a Public Hearing for such purpose. The following registered to speak: Dane Blythe, 2004 Oakleaf Lane, Phone: 537-1700, Chairman of Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance. Mr. Blythe stated today's Wall Street Journal states families are still struggling financially. Mr. Blythe requested the Ciry lower Personal Property Taxes and keep the $0.02 Cents for transportation. Mr. Blythe suggested reducing or eliminating the BPOL Tax to ignite businesses in the City to grow as well as privatize waste management and stop spending money on Light Rail. Susan Holbrook, 3773 Surry Road, Phone: 464-6004, expressed her surprise at the high incYease for health insurance, especially to Retirees. Retirees cannot get pcry raises even though everyday costs continue to go up. Ms. Holbrook stated labeling "Retirees " seems to be "Age Discrimination ". She also asked that the Ciry reconsider forcing spouses off of the Health Insurance Plan. 13ob Kugler, 2084 Bierce Drive, Phone: 430-6228, expressed concern with the City's decision to use transportation funding to support maintenance and dredging. Traffic continues to be a problem in the City and the funding should not be used to support boating. Mr. Kugler suggested imposing a boat tax to fund the maintenance and dredging projects. Joan Davis, 361 Back Bay Crescent, Phone: 714-2304, President of Sandbridge Civic League expressed concern regarding safety on Sandbridge Road. With rising sea levels, the road is flooding more often. Today, for example, only one lane is passable in many sections of Sandbridge Road due to the tide. Nimmo Parkway extension would improve safety tremendously. Today a tractor trailer overturned on Sandbridge Road and it was over an hour before the back gate to Dam Neck was opened. Please con,sider placing Nimmo Parkway back into the CIP. Anthony Nero, 222 Central Park Avenue, Phone: 366-6658, did not respond. Cynthia Harrison, 2229 Adrniral Circle, Phone: 618-0699, Communiry Services Board Member, reqatested continued support and additional funds to help those that have mental health issues and the disabled adult Citizens. The need for supervised housing for adults with chronic nzental illness is great and allows recipients to live meaningful lives. CSB continues to have a problem recruiting health care professionals because of low salaries. Angela Kellam, Executive Director of' the Samaritan Hoatse, requested continued support of critical funding for the Department of Human Services. Samaritan House serves a large number of citizens in poverty. The staff has been increased to handle the influx of cases. There is a collective responsibility to protect children and additional funding is needed to ensure the City is doing their part. May 1, 2014 -4- Robert Jones, Historic Homes Foundation President, put the Ciry on notice they will be asking for more funds next year. This year, $600, 000 was requested but they received only $175, 000. Thoroughgood House is in desperate need of a Visitors Center to display all the Exhibits currently being stored in Richmond. Jill 13lackmore, 4421 Delray Drive, Phone: 363-9182, resident of Thoroughgood for over than 25 yeurs, is proud the Thoroughgood House is a National Landmark. Mrs. Blackmore expressed her appreciation to the Ciry f'or the progress made to restoring the house and requested additional funds to construct a Visitors Center that would greatly enhance the City. James Fulmer, 3008 Sandfiddler Road, Phone: 287-7395, has lived in Sandbridge for over 20 years and had his share of "near misses" traveling on Sandbridge Road. Within the last month, 5 people have lost their lives in accidents on Sandbridge Road. Mr. Fulmer feels Nimmo Parkway Extension is necessity and the Ciry should consider using money that Sandbridge brings into the City to fund this project. Kelly Brewer, 4432 Delmar Drive, Phone: 434-1086, a Kindergarten Teacher, requested additional funds to btrild a Visitors Center at The Thoroughgood House. As of today, the site is not adequate for field trips but it would be a great field trip if there was a Visitors Center housing the exhibits currently stored in Richmond. David Lawrence, 4820 Sullivan Court, Phone: 490-2876, a retired US History Teacher, requested additional funds to build a Visitors Center at the Thoroughgood House. Mr. Lawrence stated the additional space will be a wonderful experience for hands-on learning and would provide a rainy day attraction for the City. Janet Meyer, 312 Spot Lane, Phone: 617-3612, has lived in Sandbridge since 1977 and is proud to live in a communiry where everyone looks outfor each other. The developments have greatly affected the traffic and safety in Sandbridge. The developments have changed the rural character of the area and tens of' thousands use the road during the Summer months. Sandbridge residents continue to pay tcrxes and the City continues to ignore the safety concerns. Instead of investing 7.5-NIILLION in cameras at the Oceanfront, invest those f'unds into improving Sandbridge Road. Sarah Conley, 1805 Meredith Road, Phone: 617-3612, a student at First Colonia High School in the Legal Studies Academy, requested funds to construct a Visitors Center at Thoroughgood House. The exhibits that would be displayed provide a great deal of history to our community and would greatly enhance the City. Betty Bryan, 2937 Summer Haven, Phone: 619-9575, did not respond Barhara Powell, 1089 Sandy Narrows Court, Phone: 478-7929, is a Special Education Teacher's Assistant. Ms. Powell expressed concern in the increasing costs of health insurance. Ms. Powell is in her 21s` year with the School System and her base pay is $20, 539. Ms. Powell stated it is unreasonable for anyone to expect her to work a part time job in order to afford health insurance after 21 years of dedr.'cated service. Pat Barton, a Sandbridge business owner, reguested.funding for the Nimmo Parkway Extension in order to mcrke Sandbridge Road a safer road to travel. Jim Reeve, 1476 Lotus Drive, Phone: 589-1069, advised that today there are five (S) sections of' Sandbridge Road that are not passable because of the tidal flooding. Mr. Reeve requested Nimmo Parkway Extension be placed into the CIP as the area is the same "swamp" where Dam Neck Road was built. May 1, 2014 -5- William Bailey, 644 Edwin Drive, Phone: 288-5761, President of the Virginia Beach Professional Firefighters, expressed concern regarding the current health care proposal as it is unfair and suggested having one plan for everyone. Compression continues to be a concern and will only continue getting worse until addressed. Mr. Bailey stated no one comes to Public Hearings and says "build a hotel "; instead people are asking for help and that is what the Ciry should do. Jorju Jean, 1400 Mediterranean Avenue, Phone: 419-1931, is a Teacher and appreciates the progress comrnitment to the Historic Houses. Ms. Jean requested additional funds to construct a Visitvrs Center at Thoroughgood House to display the tremendous artifacts that tell a story of our history. Alice Drake, 708 High Point Avenue, Phone: 650-4312, reguested additional funds for Pendleton Child Services. Pendleton serves children between 6 and 12 years of age with behavioral issues. The resictential facility has tremendous success in helping children. Diana Howard, 1057 Debaca Court, Phone 721-5128, questioned how 144 positions were eliminated in the proposed Budget yet another proposed over 200 new positions are "mandated ". Ms. Howard requested the Ciry reduce the size of government and then the funds for road projects and safery concern could be addressed. Teresa Langille, 932 Truro Court, Phone: 641-1592, expressed concern in the increasing costs of health care while salaries remain stagnent. 38% of students are on fi°ee or reduced lunch, the economy is still struggling yet the City is raising tares and fees. Ms. Langille reguested taxes be lowered. Sharon Felton, 113 Burford Avenue, Phone: 581-6805, a member of the Historic Homes Commission and a lifelong resident of Seatack. Ms. Felton is proud of the Commission 's achievements; however, the time and resources are limited in what they can do. Ms. Felton requested additional funding to offer a $10, 000 research grant to a local universiry to help with different projects within the City. Andy Wells, 2581 Sandpiper Road, Phone: 870-4772, a Sandbridge Resident, requested, at a minimum, the street lights on Sandbridge Road that are not working, which is approximately one-half, be repaired and,flashing lights be installed at the worst locations on the road. Karen Kwasny, 2089 Kittridge Drive, Phone: 672-2996, requested Princess Anne VII and Vlla have been identified as a"top priority" since 2003 yet these projects are not complete. The area has had a trerriendous amount of 'major development within the last hvo (2) years with significantly increased traffic. Ms. Kwasny requested funding to move road projects along and not allow any additional development until the infrastructure is in place to support it. Nancy Marchman, 2581 Sandpiper Road, Phone: 717-8647, a Sandbridge resident, stated there is no other place in the world she would rather live. Ms. Marchman expressed concern regarding safety of Sandbridge Road and requested the City move forward, without delay, to improve this road. This road is not designed to handle the amount of cars that travel this road each day. Marlayne Castelluzzo, 5189 Stratford Drive, Phone: 474-4346, feels Mr. Spore is ignoring facts regarding the health of the economy. Families are impacted by rising costs and fees. She suggested the City model themselves after other cities in Hampton Roads and not raise taxes. William Rafferty, 4817 Columbus Street, Phone: 754-9249, is a Firefighter and the husband of a Virginia Beach School Teacher. Mr. Rafferty expressed concern regarding the increased health care costs even thoitgh the cost projections are less. Health Care premiums are unsustainable for employees and would like to see the "Best Managed City" provide lower premiums for their employees. May 1, 2014 -6- Carl Struss, 2828 Bluebill Drive, Phone: 721-3931, expressed concern f'or the safery of Sandbridge Road and the access at Dam Neck. Mr. Strass advised it will only be a matter of time before the National Security Advisor will stop emergency use of Dam Neck due to the high threat of terrorism to SEAL Team VI. Joseph Polozzi, Phone: 572-2721, a Virginia Beach Firefighter, advised the morale of the Department is low as most have given up hoping to change City Council's mind regarding the Health Insurance premiums. Compression continues to be a problem and only gets worse the longer the City does not czddress the problem. Mr. Polozzi requested each fire truck be fully staff'ed with four (4) firefighters. Romaine Rice, 2409 Millwood Road, Phone: 481-4755, a Senior Citizen residing in Great Neck, requested the tax relief for elderly persons be revised. Mr. Rice advised he qualified for the program for three years and now does not. He survives on income from social security and the little bit of savings he was able to accumulate. Lisa Hartman, 2137 Pleasant Acres Drive, Phone: 609-5679, requested the Princess Anne VII be put back into the CIP. The Princess Anne District is the largest District in the Ciry and over 1,300 homes have been approved in the past few years. Roads need to be improved before any additional development is approved. 13eing the "greatest City in the world" and the School System "Ahead of the Curve' requires roads be updated and maintained. There being no further speakers, Vice Mayor Jones CLOSED THE PUBIC HEARING. ADJOURNMENT Vice Mayor Louis R. Jones DECLARED the Ciry Council MeetingADJOURNED at 7:34 P.M. Amanda Finley-Barnes, CMC Chief Deputy City Clerk Ruth Hodges Fraser, MMC Citv Clerk Ciry of Virginia Beach Virginia Louis R. Jones Vice Muyor William D. Sessoms, Jr. Mayor May 1, 2014