Minutes 04/09/1974 - Laserfiche WebLink

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265 April 9, 1974 74-156 - The following letter received from Donald N. Fessman, President Churchland Shopping Center Association, was read: ' "We, the Merchants of Churchland Shopping Center, feel that our retail sales will drop 20% to 40% due to the new completed construction at this intersection, which has essence blocked off traffic heading ~n a southerly direction on Rt. 17 to our shopping center. This also will reflect in a decrease in City Tax Revenue. What we need is a reworking of the intersection and a traffic light. in · Mr. McDaniel (City Traffic Engineer) has come out and inspected the situation, stat- ing that he was not originally aware of the problems the new construction created. That he did drive South on Rt. 17 and found that it was difficult to make a left hand turn on- to Stamford Road, which required him to go partly down a one way cut off, the wrong way, onto Stamford Road. He said there was nothing he could or would do for the merchants other than answering a written petition that the members of the shopping center might draw up. He stated that the shopping center should put up billboards a distance North of the shopping center on Route 17, indicating that in order to get to the shopping cente our customers should make a left hand turn onto Tyre Neck Road, then a rig~turn onto Churchtafld Blvd., then a left turn into the shopping center. This afternoon the Police gave out 6 warnings in a 15 minute period to shoppers making a left hand turn into our center. Before the intersection was bad for business. Now its impossible. The construction has only been Completed 3 days and ther has been one major An inconvenienced shopper is no longer a shopper. Any help in this situation would be greatly appreciated." Motion of Mr. Smith and seconded by Mr. Early, r~port submitted by the City Manager on the problem, to be accepted, was adopted by unanimous vote. 74-157 The following letter received from the City Attorney was re~d: "! hereby tender my~resignation as City Attorney effective at midnight, May 5, 1974 I would like to express to you gentlemen and the citizens of Portsmouth my sincere appreciation for having been afforded the privilege of serving as City Attorney." Motion of Mr. Holley and seconded by Mr. Smith, to accept the resignation of W. J. O'Brien, Jr., as City Attorney, with regrets and a proper resolution be prepared; the vacancy of the City Attorney position to be referred to a conference, was adopted by unanimous vote. 74-158 The following request to speak received from George R. Walker, 1749 Spratle' Street, was read: "Pursuant.to Council Gag Rules 2-15.1 placed on the agenda of the meeting of the da)- of April, 1974: and 2-24 it is requested that my name be Portsmouth City Council to be held on the 9th To re-state the question of the first Council-Manager conference, reported to be set for 15 April, 1974, to consider the 1974-75 Budget Guide. Will it be open to.press and~taxpayers undmr Federal and State%Freedom of Information Acts? 2. To propose a substitute for the "Disclosure" resolution approved by Council on 26 March, 1974." Mr. Walker spoke. Motion of Mr.~Johnson and~seconded by~Mr.~Smith, to be~received, was adopted by unanimous vote. Motion of Mr.~Holley and seconded by Mr. Early, that all-budget-conferences Be opened to the public and news media,and the City Clerk advise the public (by newspaper), TV and radio of dates, time and place of~conferences; and all closed conferences ~e be held in accordance with the Code of Virginia, was adopted by unanimous vote. ' Motion of Mr. Smith and seconded by Mr. Early, that'the City Manager arrange for a 'suitable place for the public-to attend, if needed, for Public Hearing on 1974-75 budget was adopted by unanimous vote. ' 74-159 The following requeBt to speak received from Irvin Ray Vaughan,Jr., Chair- mam, Portsmouth Catholic Schools Bingo, was~read: "I would like a chance to come'before Portsmouth City Council at its meeting this Tuesday, April 9, 1974. The rea.~on I would like to appear~ is concerning the city's tax on bingo." Mr. Vaughan spoke.