Minutes 02/27/1973 - Laserfiche WebLink

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February 27~ 1973 NEW BUSINESS 73-74 The following letter from Mr. Carl B. Lowe, Chairman Board of Directors, Flynn Christian Fellowship Home, was road: "Enclosed you will find a brief brochure concerning The Flynn Christian Fellowship Home, 419 Court Street, Portsmouth, Virginia. I think it is self-explanatory, but I believe it also poses a few questions for the citizens of Portsmouth. 1. Is there a need for this type facility? 2. Does it merit the support of the city government? 3. Could it be tied in with some other agency or agencies so it could be expanded to help more people? 4. Are there funds available either City, State or Federal to further the efforts of this facility? 5. Is it possible the City could give some help in re-location? Remember, 75% of American ~dults drink. One of every eight people you know are well on their way to becoming alocholics. Because alcoholism is something people do to themselves, often slowly and innocently, by the time they have admitted they are alcoholics it's too late. Alcoholism can be arrested permanently, but there is no known cure. In closing let me say that I believe, in the answer to these questions lies the future of the Flynn Home. We. have no axe to grind; our only desire is to provide a chance for re- habilitation for the alcoholic seeking help. We earnestly solicit your help. We-extend to you and all interested parties a cordial invitation to visit the Flynn Home at any time." On motion of Mr. Early and seconded by Mr. Smith, the matter to be referred to the City Manager, was adopted by the following vote: Ayes: Early, Holley, Johnson, King, Smith, Barnes Nays: None Councilman Wentz was absent from the Council Chamber at time of vote. 73-75 was read: The following request to speak from George R. Walker, 1749 Spratley Street, "It is requested that my name be placed upon tho agenda of the 27 February 1973 meetiBg of Portsmouth City Council to address the subject of the~Regional Recreation Authority resolution adopted at the February i3, 1973 Council meeting which; because such resolutions require only one (1) reading to become of lawful effect; and because Council's gag rule 2-24, precludes citizen knowledge and therefore participation in much one-meeting passages of law~ could not bo addressed during the abovesaid meeting in which it may have been vulnerable." Mr. Walker spoke. Motion o£ Mr. Johnson and seconded by Mr. Smith, to be received as information, was adopted by unanimous vote. 73-76 The following letter received from ~dwa~d~. Pool, President, Cradock Property Owners' Association, was read: "This letter is an appeal for cooperation in lightening the burden of the real estate tax payer. In many cases the owner of medium to low income property is taxed beyond his endurance, certainly beyond his ability to pay and maintain his home at standards considered decent to live in without selling. It is the feeling of many of the people of this city, including a group expression from the Federation of Civic Leagues, which includes more than 45 organizations, that some relief has to be afforded in order to re~-erse the trend towards slum growth--possibly by some allow- ance on state and federal income tax. It has been reasonably established that the property owner who strives to maintain his home above slum standards is penalized through taxation whereas the owner ~ho allow~ deterioration profits by it. Some states have recognized the dangers of permitting this situation to continue and have, through legislation, reversed the process, putting the heavier burden on those who allow their proerty to deteriorate. Californ we understand through conversation with Mayor Jack P. Barnes, is one of these states. Through. a succession of appeals for relief we have been informed that it is the responsibility of the local tax assessor or the state assessor's office. The situation resembles a game in which the football is passed to the state from the city and then immediately back to tho city from the state. Specifically, we have asked tha~ the property owner who tries to maintain his residence through normal methods, such as the application o~ preservative coatings or roofing, not be penalized taxwise. Tax assessors point to the fact that according to the Code of Virginia (58-812) ANY maintenance beyond the expenditure of ~100.00 improves the fair market value of a dwelling, therefore the assessment should be upped. Only when additional living space or major alterations are added should a ~eassessment be made. was informed that because they had applied vinyl or aluminum bill would be increased. In ~vcry instance a property owner sidling to their homes, the tax