Minutes 04/07/1975 - Laserfiche WebLink

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9O April 7, 1975 The following ordinance was presented: "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CODE OF THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA, 1973, BY AMENDING AND REORDAINING SECTION 40-71(b) OF SAID CODB PERTAINING TO THE USES WHICH ARE PE~ITTBD WITHIN THE CO~BRCIAL C-2 DISTRICT UPON THE GRANTING OF A USE PERMIT." On motion of Mr. Wentz and seconded by Mr. Elliott, the ordihance was approved on first reading, and by u~animous vote. 75-134 - The following letter was presented by Phin Horton, City Manager: "Submitted herewith is my resignation as City Manager of Portsmouth, effective at the earliest May 9, and at the latest ~ay 27, 1975. I am resigning to become President and Chief Executive Officer of Swacars Sales, Inc., a Georgia Corporation engaging in the manufacture and distribution of solid waste collection equipment. My associates in the company would like, of course, for me to be available to work with them at the earliest possible date. The conditions of my employment with the City provid that I must give at least 30 days' notice to the Council of a voluntary separation. The earli date I mentioned does that. Should the Council desire for me to do so, I will remain until the scheduled second reading of the budget on May 27. I wish to stress to you and to the public that my decision to leave local government ad- ministration is a painful one; never in the S cities I have served have I worked under a finer City Council. You are certainly a dedicated group of men who have worked well with me and the staff towards a common goal of the best municipal services the City can afford. I regret that my departure brings our fine working relationship to an end. It has been a privilege to wSrk with you for the City of Portsmouth. The public should know that I am under no pressure to leave my position except that Swacars Sales, Inc., has offered me a business opportunity I cannot refuse. Swacars, Inc., was formed by the former Assistant Director of Public Works, the City Engineer and the City Attorney of Valdosta, Georgia, to recycle cardbOard and paper waste for commercial gain. While I had advised them sparingly, I never had a financial interest in the company until I signed a contract wzth them on April 1, 1975. My negotlatmons wmth the compan] for the position I have agreed to accept began February 7 of this year ~hen they first con- ~acted me. Every administrator depends upon the suppor~ of the staff who work with him. I must express publicly my very deep gratitude to the Department and Division Heads of t~e~City of Portsmouth and to our clerical staff ~or backing me so well in the Office of City Manager. Certainly, your City staff is not perfect, and our achievements have never satisfied me be- cause there ~s always room for improvement, but you have a very dedicated group of people working hard in the public interest. A slogan on the ~of my office reads, 'I shall pass through this world but once~ If, therefore, there is an~'kindness I can show, or any good that I can do, let me do it now; let me not Refer or neglec~it, for I shall not pass this way again.' It is a motto I try to live up to and it is my hope that the City of Portsmouth is a little better because I passed this way. Good luck to each of you in your public and private pursuits. I pray God's richest blessings on you and the 'C~ty of Portsmouth. It has been my pleasure to serve you and~my family's pleasure to live among you during a very fine year in our lives.' Motion of Mr. Oast and seconded by Mr. Holley, that with regret; effective daKe and a successor be referred unanimous vote. Mr. Horton's resignation be aFcepted to a conference, was adopted bM Mayor Davis, and other members of Council, lauded Mr. Horton for his past services as City Manager. Motion of Mr. Holley and seconded by ~r. Early, the meeting adjourned at 10:35 p.m. APPROVED - City Clerk