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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAPRIL 28, 1988 MINUTES M I N U T E S VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL Virginia Beach, Virginia April 28, 1988 The PUBLIC HEARING of the VIRGINIA BEACH CITY COUNCIL relative the 1988/1989 FY OPERATING BUDGET was called to order by Vice Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf in PRINCESS ANNE HIGH SCHOOL on April 28, 1988, at 7:00 P.M- Council Members Present: Robert E. Fentress, Harold Heischober, Barbara M. Henley, Reba S. McClanan, John D. Moss, Vice Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf and Nancy K. Parker Council Members Absent: Albert W. Balko, John A. Baum, Mayor Robert G. Jones, and John L. Perry Councilman John L. Perry was absent due to illness. - 2 - PUBLIC HFARING 1988/1989 YY OPERATING BUDGET The following spoke relative the 1988/1989 FY OPERATING BUDGET: Flo Haynie, spoke in favor of $10,000 request for a GRANT to Virginia Beach Ecumenical Housing, Inc. Samaritan House opened in December, 1984. For the first 2-1/2 years, it operated without any funding with the exception of the $55,000 set aside by the Citizens Advisory Council to purchase the shelter. Staffing needs proved greater than anticipated. The programs need to be administered by professionals. The salaries paid for these professionals are minimal. Flo Haynie introduced Ellen Ferber, Executive Director of the three (3) Samaritan Houses. Ellen Ferber, 1008 Birnam Woods Drive, Phone: 420-0931, advised the number ol- homeless, singles and families in Virginia Beach has increased. In 1987 Samaritan House sheltered 75 families. Virginia Beach Department of Social Services reports turning away 131 families. Samaritan Houses One, Two and Three will shelter approximately 85 families in the 1988-89 Year. In those families, approximately 160 children under the age of eighteen with the majority being under ten, will be served. By assisting heads of households to secure employment, locate permanent housing and obtain appropriate supportive services, families are assisted in healing, to become whole again and to believe in their potential to grow and achieve. Ninety-five (95%) percent of all heads of households entering Samaritan House unemployed leave with employment. Sixty-two percent (62%) move into permanent housing and another thirteen percent (13%) move into share situations. Samaritan House is supported by churches, private contributors and public funding sources. If the facility is to expand to meet the growing numbers of homeless families in the City, the Board of Samaritan House will have to commit many of the existing resources to acquiring the tliird shelter and to the acquisition of a fourth shelter. If the current and future facilities are to be furnished with Staff that is professional and responsible, the support of the City in this area is needed. Ann Roach, 2508 Tarkington Court, South, Chesapeake, Virginia 23322 Phone: 587-8844, Executive Director of the Sanctuary of Tidewater, Inc., a shelter for homeless, pregnant women. This shelter is located in the Ocean View Section of Norfolk and is the only licensed shelter of this kind in eastern Virginia. This shelter has been in operation for five (5) years. 101 women have been served in the past year, tliirty of which were Virginia Beach residents. The two areas vihich are emphasized are Education related to Human Sexuality and providing shelter for the Homeless. The Sanctuary has assisted women in remaining in school or keeping their jobs, if employed. The Sanctuary works closely with Frances Elrod, Director of Social Services. The Sanctuary requested funds in the amount of $13,000 for purchase of a service agreement. The Sanctuary has purchase of service agreements with the City of Chesapeake and Norfolk. This amount is based on actual expense of serving Vir@inia Beach residents for the past twelve (12) months. Rob Jones, 445 Kings Grant Road, Phone: 486-0202, President, Virginia Beach Education Association. Rob Jones spoke in behalf of the 2,817 members of the VBA in support of the City Budget. The School Board portion of the Budget is the outgrowth of the new era of co-operation between the School Board and City Council. This new co-operation will benefit future generations. The National Center for Educational Statistics projects that bv 1993, the need for new teachers will exceed the number of new teacher graduates bY 37%. The City's efforts to retain and attract teachers must address this fact, if the City is have the beat teachers. Virginia Beach Schools employ the fewest instructional personnel per thousand of any of the 135 other counties, cities and towns in Virginia. The educational consequence of our large classes grows worse as the demographics of the City change. Rob Jones expressed the wish that the School Board and the City Council would include long range plans in the Capital Improvement Program in any future budgets to address this problem. Drastic increases in the cost of Health Care Insurance are being faced by City employees and School Board employees. - 3 - PUBLIC HEARING 1988/1989 FY OPERATING BUDGET (Continued) Robert Engesser, 5290 Vestry Drive, Phone: 499-3157, resident of Kemspville. Robert Engpsser advised Lord Dunmore Drive in his community of Fairfield is being torn up now for the third or fourth time in as many years to install new water Mains. Robert Engesser requested a copy of the School Board Budget be placed in his Kempsville Library. Robert Engesser requested the Kemspville Library remain open on Sunday. Brenda McCormick, Director of Mother's Inc., 1337 Graham Road, Phone: 481-4153. Brenda McCormick requested funds in the amount of $10,000 for a Jobs Program to be instituted by Mother's, Inc. In the jobs programs that currently exist, transportation poses a major problem. The idea of Mother's, Inc. is to reach the "hard-core" unemployed and adjust the job training to their particular situation. Pledges from businesses and individuals have been received in the amount of $10.000. Twenty (20) individuals have been TARGETED for this year's project involving landscaping. These individuals targeted for this Jobs Program are the Individuals sheltered this winter by Mother's, Inc. and the participants of the Soup Kitchin every Friday or every Sunday afternoon. Sheldon Corner Phone: 428-1731, advised two of the most serious problems are (1) Drugs and (2) Breakdown of the Family. Sheldon Corner hoped resources would be allocated to the appropriate agencies within the City Government to accomplish this, primarily the Police Department. Sheldon Corner suggested the establishment of a TASK FORCE within the Police Department to be directed toward drug interdiction and distribution within the Community and co-operating with the other municipalities and with the drug enforcement agencies. Ninety (90%) percent of those crimes committed are related to drugs. Mr. Corner further reiterated concerns related to the Police Department and their morale caused by several factors, the small increase in the Salary, the benefits program iihich includes Health Care which is rather deficient and lack a fair compensatory time program. As the police is a paramilitary organization, pride in their profession is particularly essential for the City. Sheldon Corner further advised the City must rely upon the School System not only to provide excellence in education but in many cases to act as a surrogate family. The schools must provide the guidance and standards which establish the values that these youngsters live by as they grow to adulthood. Madeline Nevala, 913 Virginia Beach Boulevard, Phone: 425-1469, Member of the Board of Directors of SKVAMP. SEVAMP had submitted a BUDGET in the amount of $30,550, which constitutes $1.00 per person over 65 years old. This is a very minimal amount for services rendered to the Senior Citizens. Only $28,190 was proposed by City Council, thereby creating a difference of $2,430. SEVAMP supplies 95% of services to Senior Citizens - transportation, part time employment, home nursing care, senior companions, nutrition at SEATACK, home delivered meals. The difference of $2,430 would mean less care for the elderly; thereby, Mrs. Nevala suggested the full BUDGET request be instituted which would not be enough but would be enough to survive. Lou Pace, 1908 Hunts Neck Court, advised Herb Taylor, the Chairman of the Budget Committee of the Council of Civic Organizations was unable to attend. Mr. Pace presented the CCO's position. Last year the policy was questioned of across-the-board increases for exempt personnel as defined by the wage and hour law since they have the opportunity to be more readily evaluated for the merit increases compared with the non-exempt employees. The CCO questioned the need to add nine (9) officers to the Drug Awareness Program and suggested the State or the City institute a program similar to the IRS Program which utilizes AARP volunteers to respond to citizens questions on State Tax forms rather than use staff personnel. Centralization of activity appears evident for review. it appears that the transfer of property ownership is an area that is duplicated in utilities, tax assessments, et cetera. Departments having a minimal number of personnel could benefit from a I'steno pool" even if not in the same location Other Charges are masking actual expenses, i.e., under "AUTOMATED EXPENSES", Other Charges are the largest single item. Environmental Mangement seems to be a licatchall" that could balloon to become the largest department if all the assignments are complete. Many items appear to be better handled in other areas. The School Budget has increased approximately 25% in the last two years, but lacks justification. Housing and property maintenance has increased approximately over 50% in the last two years with the number ol- initial inspections down. - 4 - PUBLIC HEARING 1988/1989 FY OPERATING BUDGET (Continued) Representing himself, Lou Pace, addressed Item 6, OTHER CHARGES, of the FY 1988-1989 OPERATING BUDGET. The problem with the majority of City Employees is they are at the top of their particular level and therefore cannot receive a merit raise. The City Employee salary structure should be investigated very thoroughly as they are the Primary importance to the City. Even a higher wage increase is justified. As the Federal Government is no longer much of a contributor to the City's Budget, reference should no longer be made to the Federal Government cutting off revenues to the City. Rae LeSesne, 5325 Thornbury Lane, Phone: 497-8008, represented the Citizens Action Coalition and expressed admiration to the City Council for their time and effort. Rae LeSesne believed the YY 1988-1989 OPERATING BUDGET contained redundancy but at the same time additional information could be inserted to better justify some spending. The City Manager had indicated in his Droposed Budget Message that the only tax increase is a "Cigarette Tax"; however, it is noted that on Page R-6, Recreation included heavy increases in fees for citizens. User fees are an acceptable method of raising revenues, but increases of 100 to 150% are excessive. Purchasing also is an area which should be closely scrutinized. Seventy-one (71) Positions in the Police Administration seem high at approximately 10% of the total force. Automobile Services has 6 Mechanic Supervisors for 64 mechanics, a ratio of one supervisor to 10.6 mechanics. Rae Lesesne restated his position that Deficit Spending can easily become uncontrollable with disastrous results. John Mazueh, 509 Kings Grant Road, spoke relative TARGET NEIGHBORHOODS. John Mazuch complimented City Council on the FY 1988-1989 OPERATING BUDGET but reiterated concerns relative the amount of funds expended for Housing and CoT,qmunity Development. John Mazuck, as an Urban Planning Major, could not comprehend the rehabilitation and replacement of homes, streets and infrastructures in the TARGET NEIGHBORHOODS with this low amount. The first major concern should be the TARGET NEIGHBORHOODS. Public Health is a second concern. Only $2-MILLION has been appropriated for Public Health. As the most populated City in the State, the Health Care and the needs of the citizens cannot be met with such a small amount of funds. This amount, to comply with the needs of the citizens should be raised to $5-MILLION. Vice Mayor Oberndorf advised additional funds for the TARGET NEIGHBORHOODS are reflected in Capital Improvement Projects as well as there being direct grants from the Federal Government. Nancy Barden, Endependence Center, Inc., 100 West Plume Street, Norfolk 23510 and 3400 Building, Little @Teck Road, Virginia Beach 23452, Phone: 463-1414 and 625-3555. Nancy Barden is a Housing Co-ordinator at the Endependence Center. l@ancy Barden advised during the last year, 86 individuals had been served in the City with peer counseling, independent living skills, housing placement and employment. In addition several individuals have received equipment, i.e., motorized wheel chairs. Many individuals have made tremendous progress towards their "independence". Through the efforts of the Endependence Center and the Virginia Beach Mayor's Committee, an Accessibility Guide will be published for the RESORT AREA. This should attract additional numbers of disabled tourists to Virginia Beach. The Tndependence Center is requesting $42,921 for the FISCAL YEAR 1988-1989. This request includes an additional $3,000 to operate the satellite office in Virginia Beach. (Statistics and a Copy of the Presentation are hereby made a part of the record.) Thomas Abbott, 1037 Angler Lane, Phone: 422-4480, is a Police Officer. Thomas Abbott is President of the Virginia Beach Police Benevolent Association, comprised of all Virginia Beach Policemen. The Police Officers are unhappy with the salary and benefits provided. These two items satis"y employee needs and increase employee potential. The City Is contribution to the Health Benefit package should be increased. There appears to be a lack of communication between the City Administration and the Employee, at least from the point of view of the police officers. Attorney Deborah Rawls, 1213 Laskin Road, Suite 107. Deborah Rawls was representing Old Dominion Tobacco Company and Hospice Care, Incorporated in behalf of Senator Stallings. The 5% tax increase on Cigarette to 20cts per pack tax would bring this City's tax rate to the highest tax rate in the entire country. There presently exists a $1.60 Federal Excise Tax per carton, 25cts State Excise Tax, $1.50 Local Excise Tax, 50cts State Sales Tax which amounts to a Total of $3.85 taxed per carton. - 5 - PUBLIC HEARING 1988/1989 FY OPERATING BUDGET (Continued) Attorney Rawls in representing Hospice Care, Inc. advised this was a totally volunteer non-profit organization with the exception of the Executive Director, Fran Whitney Nelson. Although the organization was incorporated in September 4, 1987, the first patient was acquired in October, 1987. Today, Hospice Care, Inc. has acquired their thirty-first patient. Attorney Rawls requested an amendment in the 1988-1989 FY OPERATING BUDGET to fund the aforementioned group in the amount of $16,800. All funding thus far has been privately raised. Currently over $30,000 has been raised. The President of the Board of Doctors is President of the Department of Surgery at Virginia Beach General Hospital. The Medical Director is Chairman of Internal Medicine at Virginia Beach General Hospital. Over 3,000 volunteer hours have been provided by this organization. The more immediate need is for the training of community based Hospice Groups to travel to the terminally ill and dying patients whether in the hospital or in the home. Fran Whitney Nelson, Executive Director, Hospice Care, Inc., advised the major differences between the two HOSPICES. Hospice of Virginia Beach, Inc. has been in existence several years and does not have its own training program for volunteers. There is no charge for services and it survives completely on donations. Hospice Care, Inc. has a 24-hour response rate. The $16,800 requested is for rent, utilities, telephone, training programs and eventually gas mileage for co-ordinators. Physicians are requesting the utilization of this HOSPICE specifically. A Line item BUDGET has been supplied to Hector Rivera, Assistance City Manager for Human Services. There bein.@ no further speakers, Vice Mayor Oberndorf CLOSED the PUBLIC HEARING. - 6 - ADJOURNMENT By ACCLAMATION, the PUBLIC HEARING adjourned at 8:55 P.M- I R.th Hdg S@ith, CMC City Clerk Vice M oi- 0. /@ Beverly'O. Hooks Chief Deputy City Clerk