Minutes 07/23/1974 - Laserfiche WebLink

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344 WHEREAS, his devotion to the general welfare of the City and all its people was manifest during his fruitful term of office during a difficult period in our City's history, due to necessity for economic restraint and inescapable demands for continued progress. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia, that the valuahl~¢ntributions to the progress of our City made by Raymond B. Smith be acknowledged with sincere gratitude and appreciation; and BE IT FURTHER RESCLVED t~at a copy of this resolution be presented to Mr. Raymond B. Smith, and that it be made a part of the permanent records of the City Council." Ayes: Early, Elliott, Holtey, Oast, Davis Nays: None 74-321 The following letter received from William D. Beard, Chairman, Planning Commission, was read: "At its regular monthly meeting on July 1, 1974, the City Planning Commission con- tinued discussion of a letter dated May 22, 1974 from President James S. Bilberg of Virginia Iron and Metal Company located at 2430 Turnpike Road adjacent to the Belt Line Railroad. A copy is attached. Relocation of this business has been made necessar~ by the Mount Hermon Urban Re- newal Project. Efforts to secure an acceptable site have to date met with no success. Mr. Eilberg feels that the City Council pledged municipal relocation cooperat&on and support during its authorization of the Mount Hermon project. Staff conversations with Mr. Eilberg did not reveal the identity of city (planners, sic) officials who may have suggested that certain industrial lands owned by a ra&lroad would be better reserved for industry of a more intensive nature than a scrap processor. While the City Planning Commission is in sympathy with any person, family or firm displaced by governmental activity, its role is limited to cooperation with administra- tire agencies and acting upon applicat&ons s~hject to consideration after having been advertised and a public hearing held. ~ The Commission resolved to forward Mr. Eilberg's letter to you as information. You may count upon our cooperation in any way deemed necessary. While our members and staff have not dropped this matter as a subject of inquiry, it does not seem likely that we are in a position to contribut'e very much to a solution of the problem posed by Mr. Eilberg." Motion of Mr. Holley and seconded by Mr, Early, to be received as information and a copy of letters be forwarded to PRHA in order to assist t'his company in locating a site was adopted by unanimous vote. 74-322 - The following request to speak received from John F. Bailey, Jr., 203 Dixie Avenue, was read: 'I am writing to request an audience with you to discuss the situation existing in our neighborhood as per letter enclosed. I am referring to the West Grove Apartments facing Dixie and Pullman Avenues and bordered by Turnpike Road. Please inform me as to what procedure I should follow to bring this deplorable place to your attention." Mr. Bailey spoke. Motion of Mr. Holley and seconded by Mr. Early, that the matter to be referred to the City Manager, was adopted by unanimous vote. 74-323 - The following request to speak received from George R. Walker, 1749 Spratley Street, was read: "Subject: The Agenda of the 23 July, 1974, Portsmouth City Council 3{eeting. Pursuant to Council Gag Rules 2-15.1 and 2-24. (1961 Code Sections) it is requested Ghat my name be placed on the agenda of the subject meeting to incuire into the status of new City ~de Sections 2-164 and 2-165 ~o which major changes were made in the writing of the 1961 Code; to pose again the question of whether changes-in the laws were inadvertantly made or directed by Council; and to again provide the press with the occasi{ to repair their two previous burials by reporting said changes in the Public Safety laws of the City about which the People have a First Amendment Right to ~now. And to review the local law as it pertains to Capital Improvement Plans and Capital Improvement Funds, if any." Mr. Walker spoke. 74-323[a) Mayor Davis requested that some consideration be given to administrative procedures to the Council of manner in condncting meetings; bring recommendations to the body as a whole; and Mr. Early to serve as Chairman an~ that Mr. 'Oast' and Mr. 'EIliott to serve with Mr. Early; the City Manager to provide such clerical and administrative assistance as maybe necessary and the City Attorney to cooperate in providing in-depth of professional help. Also, a Code of Ethics for employees and City Council to be prepared by the Committee.