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Home My WebLink AboutAPRIL 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