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Oc%ober 12, 1965
<br />
<br /> ~rhe members of West Side Civic League voted unanimously to oppose the
<br />action of the City of Portsmouth subsidizing the down to~ merchants by providing additional parking lots.
<br />
<br /> In 1957 the city borrowed $500,000.00 to provide three ($) off street
<br />parking lots for the down town merchants, placing the lots Where the down town merchants desired them.
<br />At this time there is $60,000.00 due on the original amount borrowed. These lots really cost more than
<br />$300,000.00 as the city had added expense by changing the types of meters. Then there was the method of
<br />using attendants put into effect. Neither plan proved to be successful.
<br />
<br /> Citizens of Portsmouth are not so naive as to think they are getting free
<br />parking as long as parking lots are supported by their tax dollars.
<br />
<br /> Recently a news item stated that the City had turned these lots over to
<br />the Portsmouth Parking Authority, which will no doubt place the City further in debt. Should this plan
<br />like the first venture fail who is to pay the bill? It 8iI1 most certainly come from the taxpayers of
<br />Portsmouth.
<br />
<br /> If the city administration permit~ the Portsmouth Parking Authority to
<br />enlarge or add additional parking lots, do they also plan on subsidizing parking lots in the many present
<br />or future business areas throughout the City?
<br />
<br /> Regardless of the name, "Portsmouth Parking Authority," or how it was
<br />brought about it is wrong to subsidize one group of merchants when at the same time merchants other than
<br />those in the down town area have to provide their own parking lots, which they make free to their customers,
<br />and the City profits by the taxes they impose on the land."
<br />
<br />Motion of Mr. Eastes to refer to a conference of Council, was adopted, without
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<br />dissenting vote.
<br />
<br />65-269 - The following letter from the City Clerk was read:
<br />
<br /> "This is to notify you of the expiration of the terms of office of
<br />R. E. Plawks and X. D. Murden, mmmbers of the Portsmouth Supplemental and Fire and Police Retirement
<br />Board. These are four year terms, expiring September 50th, 1969."
<br />
<br />Motion of Mr. Knight to refer to a conference of Council was adopted, without
<br />
<br />diSSenting vote.
<br />
<br /> 65,270 - The following petition relative to drainage piping insta-lled on
<br />Mayflower Road was read:
<br />
<br /> "We, thd undersigned, tax paying, registered voters of the City of
<br />Portsmouth, Virginia, do hereby request to be heard by Vah~ City Council this forthcoming meeting of
<br />October 12, 1965, {as time is of the essence), in regard to the incomplete and unsightly installation
<br />of drainage piping installed between residences along Mayflower Road and Elizabeth Manor Golf Course,
<br />also, damage to the resid~mt's private property by this installation."
<br />
<br />In this connection, the following letter was read:
<br />
<br /> "Reference is made to our letter dated October 6, 1965, requesting to
<br />be heard at the meeting of tke City Council October 12, 1965 in regards to the installation of drainage
<br />piping installed between residences of ~yflower Rd. and Elizabeth Manor Golf Course.
<br />
<br /> Since the initiation of the above mentioned letter, the contractor,
<br />Mr. Pinkston has visited the job and has agreed to take the following action:
<br />
<br /> 1. Complete one catch basin.
<br /> 2. Fill in existing low spot, holes, etc. to provide proper drainage.
<br /> 5. Spread the existing top soil on the property of owners who have
<br />already~ purchased same.
<br /> 4. Provide the best grade of the city owned fill stored(~on the property
<br />of the church site on Hedges Ferry Road for use on the remaining owners property which do not prefer to
<br />buy their own top soil.
<br /> 5. Reinstall one set of swings ~edded in cement at 206 Mayflower Road.
<br /> 6. Uniformly grade, rake and seed with Kentucky 31 grass seed as
<br />required to restore damage to the provate property damaged during this installation.
<br />
<br />this meeting of the City Council
<br />of the abOve listed items.
<br />
<br /> In view of the foregoing, it is desired that the request to be heard
<br />of October 12, 1965, be held in abeyance pending the satisfactory completion
<br />
<br /> It is desired by the residents of this area to express our appreciation to
<br />the City Council and other members of the City Government fez the assistance rendered in this matter and in
<br />particular to Council Hastes and Johnson, ~r. Hilton and Mr. Mason."
<br />
<br />Motion of Mr. Barnes to table until the work is completed, was adopted, without
<br />
<br />dissenting vote.
<br />
<br />65-271 - The following communication from M. E, Alford, Superintendent of Schools,
<br />
<br />was read:
<br />
<br /> "I am requesting an ~npropriation of $14,922 to provide an addition
<br />to Cavalier Manor Junior High School for restrooms~for use by the Recreation Department.
<br /> I am'enclosing the architect's description of the specifications for t~e
<br /> addition."
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