Minutes 12/14/1976 - Laserfiche WebLink

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107 December 14, 1976 I have also included as part of this paCkage a list of Capital Improvements projects which the City has committed itself to for the Fiscal Year 1975-76. In addition, I have provided a listing of those projects which have not been committed as part of the 197S-76 Capital Work Program. The items that will require funding for the 1977~g8 budget have created a situation wherein the City cannot fund a 2 million dollar reduction in revenue from the State. Based on the information contained in this report, it is my recommendation that we adopt a very austere position for the expenditure of funds for the next 4 to 6 months with respect to the General Operating Budgets and the Capital Improvements Program. This recommendation does not apply to those programs which will be funded with Revenue Sharing, Community Development or Public Works funds. We are currently awaiting the revised guidelines on the expenditure of Revenue Sharing funds which has recently been reenacted. Also we have made application to the Federal Government for funding of various projects under the Public Works Act of 1976. The next 60 to 90 days should provide us with the information that is necessary to fully analyze the impact on our Capital Improvements Program, including the above referenced funding sources. Therefore, my recommendation in the Capital Improvements area, for the next 4 to 6 months, is that expenditures should only be made for those items that are of an emergency nature or would enhance private industry, which in turn would produce increased revenues. A copy of the letter from the Municipal Finance Commission supporting this recommendatio~ is attached for.your information. Also I would like to point out that the Commission outlined 4 items which were external in nature concerning the State, Federal, and private enterprises that could have a major impact on the financial situation of the City in the very near future.' " Motion of Mr. Early and seconded by Mr. Elliott, to concur in the recommendation of the City Manager, and was adopted by unanimous vote. -NEW'BUSINESS 7 - 76-S21 - Henry A. Staneski, Chairman, Public Safety and Municipal Concerns Community Action, Inc., presented the following study of crime in Southside: Committee, "Community Action, Inc. has made a study of crime in Sout~side which we would like to refer to you officially as the study with its recommendations has now been approved by the Board of Directors. A draft copy of this StudY, to which slight chanees have now been made, was referred earlier to Mayor Davis as information. It is our understanding that the a~oro- ~riate city organizations have been studyin~ these proposals. In addition to the enclosed study, we also made a supplementary study of the safety conditions around the two bus stations at night and especially after their closing times when passengers who were disembarked may still be there waiting for rides. We are happy to report to you that danger in these areas appears minimal and that all agencies, including the Ports- mouth Police Department are doing'~ll they can in the way of crime prevention at downtown bus stations. Our Recommendation No. 1 in the enclosed study deals with establishing a standing re- ward program. We are exploring various angles relative to this with the Portsmouth Retail Merchants Association and the Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce in an attempt to get such a pro- gram started. Recommendation No. 2 deals with extension of Norfolk-Portsmouth Tunnel Bus routings to the Navy Yard ~ates. We appeared at a recent Public Hearing of the Tidewater Transportation District Commission and recommended this be made a permanent route. As you know, the route was adopted by the Tidewater Regional Transit. SiX of the seven remaining recommendations concerns actions by the City of Portsmouth and Community Action, Inc. urges you to give these the utmost consideration. Recommendation No. 7, relative to the Police Crime Prevention program has been under- take~ by the Public Safety and Municipal Concerns Committee of Community Action, Inc. as a continuing project for the year. Community Action, Inc. wants you to know that we have been impressed with the programs and activities of the Portsmouth Police Department and feel they are successful. We hope to be able to forward further recommendations to you concerning Public Safety in the near future." Motion of Mr. Barnes and seconded by Mr. Holley, to be re£e~red to ih~ City'Manager, was adopted by unanimous vote. 76-522 - Motion of Mr. Holley and seconded by Mr. Elliott, to go into the election of members to the following Boards and Commissions, was adopted by unanimous vote. Mr. Wentz nominated the following: Board of Examination of Plumbers L. W. Hammond to be appointed replacing Troy H. F. King; Joseph F. expiring January 1, 1979. for a term of two years, expiring January 1, 1979, and Whitlow to be reappointed for a term of two years,