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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMAY 14, 2019 WORKSHOP MINUTES pt1 w �=Iot"irr�� steJ ^t•"L 4c,J 0, DUR APT,-./ VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL Virginia Beach, Virginia May 14, 2019 Mayor Robert M Dyer called to order the CITY COUNCIL'S BRIEFING in in the City Council Conference Room, Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at 5:00 P.M. Council Members Present: Jessica P. Abbott, Michael F. Berlucchi,Mayor Robert M Dyer, Barbara M. Henley, Louis R. Jones,John D. Moss, Aaron R. Rouse, Guy K Tower, Rosemary Wilson, Vice Mayor James L. Wood and Sabrina D. Wooten Council Members Absent: None 2 CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING FY 2019-20 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN(Budget)— CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION 5:00 P.M. Mayor Dyer opened the discussion re the FY 2019-20 Budget, advising a lot of time was spent working on the budget this year with barriers along the way with filling Council Member vacancies. Mayor Dyer advised he would like to have a meeting in the near future to discuss ideas to improve the budget process for the coming year. The challenges are ahead. The City has a $2.2-Billion budget with a $370-Billion stormwater bill and school modernization needs. Mayor Dyer expressed his hope is for Council to move forward in a most congenial way. Council Member Henley advised she would like to read a letter with her prepared comments which is attached hereto and made a part of the record. Council Member Moss expressed his appreciation to Council for their support on the solution to fund full-day Kindergarten, believing it is the right approach on finding revenues without raising the personal property tax. Council Member Moss advised there was not the same support for raising Real Estate Tax Rates and the stormwater fee as he felt the increases were not necessary. Council Member Moss agrees with many of the ordinances in the operating budget but is opposed to any increases in taxes. Council Member Henley advised it is important that everyone is aware of the exemption for the Elderly and Disabled Program. If seniors are 65 years or older, disabled, with an annual income of$43,141 or less, they qualify for 100%real estate tax exemption. The program has also increased the amount on the freeze option to $73,759;so citizens will not face any future real estate tax increases. Council Member Henley advised those citizens who are on fixed incomes need to be aware of this program and believes it shows citizens that City Council does care. Mayor Dyer advised he believes there will be new business opportunities to explore with technology coming to the City. Mayor Dyer advised there is a new initiative to enhance business development by the Development Authority working with the Planning Department to assist businesses get plans approved sooner. He would like to see the City's culture change to one that is business warming to help navigate through the process. Council Member Abbott advised citizens between the ages of 18-35, make up 1/ of the City, and half if all children under the age of 18 are included. There is a program to provide relief for the elderly and disabled, however, when taxes are raised, the burden falls on younger people and there are no tax relief programs for them. Council Member Abbott advised this is the reason why those who are 35 years old and younger do not want to live in the City, because it is too hard. Council Member Abbott advised the citizens who are her age are moving to Chesapeake and Norfolk because what they cannot get in Virginia Beach, they can get in those cities. May 14, 2019 3 CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING FY 2019-20 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN(Budget)— CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION (Continued) Mayor Dyer would like to start discussions on a better strategy to solve some of the issues discussed. Developing strategies is one part but then they must be executed. Mayor Dyer expressed he has taken to heart many of the things said during this discussion. Council Member Henley advised there is a difference between incentivizing and subsidizing. She cautioned minimizing the value of every job, it may not be the highest paying job because it is a part-time job. Council Member Henley advised it is important that just getting the highest paying jobs are not the only jobs the City needs. Council Member Moss advised he would like to discuss the bond referendum and believed it was a topic Council agreed on. Council Member Moss advised there is a strategy to get more done at less cost and should have more analytical research. Mayor Dyer expressed his appreciation for the discussion. May 14, 2019 011411s.•BE4c Jti4 4rp a City ®f Virirnia Beach 9 99,fs , 5 4 Op OUR WO \Bgo .corn BARBARA M.HENLEY PHONE: (757) 426-7501 CITY COUNCIL MEMBER-PRINCESS ANNE-DISTRICT 7 BARBARAHENLEY©COX.NET May 14, 2019 HONORABLE MAYOR MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL Dear Mayor and Members of City Council: I recognize the importance of having the budget of the City adopted by a vote of a majority of City Councilmembers and so, therefore, I will cast an affirmative vote. I do, however, as I have expressed several times in our discussions, have some serious questions and concerns. I think it is necessary for me to use this method of communication so that there is a clear understanding of my positions. I hope that, even though we are moving ahead with the budget adoption, these issues and others can still be discussed and perhaps further addressed. One of my very serious concerns is the wind tide flooding in the southern watershed, and the fact that it needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. This budget contains very little money for expenditure in the southern watershed. I recognize the need to do further exploration of possible solutions in order to make the wisest investments, but I do want to see the verbiage that will describe the study effort that we expect. Also, I believe that the scope of the study would be better developed through the use offocus groups, rather than just a committee, since focus groups would allow us to invite broader and more diverse participation. These need to get underway immediately. Secondly, I have repeatedly called for more funding for the purchase of Open Space parcels to serve as a part of our natural infrastructure for flood prevention. We are no longer making purchases with the meal tax levy that we instituted for that purpose, and as described in an answer to a budget question, are using the excess money from that source "to construct new features within and maintain our parks. "I do not agree with that action. However, if that is the intent of city council, I believe that we need to establish that re-allocation with a vote of council. I will bring that action forward if that is your intent, so the tax will accurately reflect its use. I also want to reiterate my request to conduct audits within this coming year of the Sandbridge SSD and TIF. There continue to be questions about how those monies are allocated, 3513 CHARITY NECK ROAD,VIRGINIA BEACH,VIRGINIA 23456 • Page 2 May 14, 2019 and I believe that an audit is necessary to assure taxpayers that the intent is being followed. An audit also can serve as a mechanism for our determining if there needs to be any adjustment in either of those funds to assure that we are addressing the need in the most efficient fashion. Finally, I was confused by the proposal to move the oversight of the four historical houses/museums owned and operated by the City to the Cultural Operations division. Apparently this move is requiring that a separate department be created to achieve this. I am not at all certain that a one-person, one duty department is the best way to accomplish this mission. I am also dismayed that the DeWitt Cottage and the Lifesaving Museum are losing funding for their operations. I have always been concerned that those historic properties that must rely on volunteers and volunteer fundraising are put at an unfair disadvantage, which certainly does not help in our goal to preserve our City's historic fabric. I stand ready and eager to work on the many issues facing our city in the coming year, and hope that we can make real progress in addressing the needs of our citizens. Yours truly, 4el Ail. `' •' ,,,ti 1 Barbara M Henley Princess Anne District Council Member 4 ADJOURNMENT Mayor Robert M. Dyer DECLARED the City Council Meeting ADJOURNED at 5:45 P.M. Terri H. Che ' s Chief Dep ty City Clerk 44. manda Ba nes, MMC City Clerk City of Virginia Beach Virginia May 14, 2019