Minutes 09/25/2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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September 25, 2001 · In the event that the City is unsuccessful in reaching a negotiated purchase of the properties, it needs to be able to commence eminent domain proceedings quickly in order not to jeopardize the projected 2001-2003 construction schedule. · The City Charter requires that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the City Attorney to commence eminent domain proceedings. · The current assessed value of the four properties involved is $137,720. Financial Impact: · The costs of property acquisition will be included in the project costs and will be funded from Public Utilities Bond proceeds as a capital improvement. Motion by Mr. Griffin, and seconded by Mr. Moody, to waive the rules of order to allow Ms. Washington and Ms. Kitonga five minutes to speak, and was adopted by unanimous vote. 1. Debra Washington, 317 Choate Street, spoke in opposition to this item. 2. Teresa Kitonga, 321 Choate Street, spoke in opposition to this item. Motion by Mr. Benn, and seconded by Mr. Griffin, to defer consideration of 01-273 to the meeting of October 9, 2001, and was adopted by unanimous vote. 01 - 274 - Adoption of a resolution to be forwarded to the General Assembly supporting the designation of property owned by the Friends of Chevra Thelim, Inc. as exempt from taxation. Recommendation: · Adoption of a resolution to be forwarded to the General Assembly supporting the designation of property owned by the Friends of Chevra Thelim, Inc. as exempt from taxation. Purpose and Need: · The Chevra Thelim Synagogue has been located at 607 Effingham Street since construction of its building was completed in 1918. The building is measured as having approximately 1774 sq. feet of usable interior area. It sits on a parcel of land measuring 4,725 sq. feet, a bit more than 1/10 acre. · As their numbers dwindled and they aged, the surviving members of The Chevra Thelim Synagogue were unable to maintain the structure. It gradually declined to the point that it is now in a state of disrepair and requires expensive major actions to save the historic building. · Under the leadership of Portsmouth residents, a group of concerned citizens from across Hampton Roads has organized themselves as the Friends of Chevra Thelim, Inc. The group has incorporated as a non-stock corporation, has applied for non-profit status with the Internal Revenue Service and is engaging in numerous organizational activities including fund-raising The Friends organization completed the significant step of securing legal ownership of the property on June 7, 2001. · The goal of the Friends of Chevra Thelim is to establish a Jewish Heritage Center that will serve as a repository for artifacts and heritage collections. The intent is to celebrate and commemorate the Hampton Roads Jewish community that dates back to the middle 1700's. The group's first objective is to restore the physical integrity of the building. They intend to nominate and get the building placed on the Commonwealth of Virginia and National Historic Register. Their vision sees Chevra Thelim complementing the City's historic churches and helping draw visitors to Portsmouth. · When active use of the building as a synagogue ceased, the building was returned to the tax rolls. Now, following the legal change in ownership, the Friends of Chevra Thelim, Inc. have applied for exemption from taxation. (See Attachment.) The City Assessor has reviewed the application, and it is his opinion that the appropriate responses were completed and that the exemption could be granted.