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Msv 14, 1963
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<br /> Motion of Far. E~stes to ~acknowledge with thanks, stating that the City of Portsmouth
<br />stands ready to meet with officials'of the City of Chesapeake at any time mn an effort to reach a final solution
<br />of this problem, was adopted, without dissenting vote.
<br />
<br /> 63-115 - The following letter from George R. Walker, Chairman:of the Portsmouth City
<br />Republican Committee, was read:
<br />
<br /> "The people; and especially those in opposition to the administration; have an inherent
<br />right to the fullest knowledge of any proposed budget instrumentf
<br /> The 1963-64 budget has been unduly delayed. It has been the subject of only one
<br />conference of the council and that was held behind closed doors.
<br /> The Manager has refused to provide tko Chairman of the Republican Party of Portsmouth
<br />with a copy of this yesr's 5entative budget although he had previously released two copies to the press and the
<br />press had published many selected items therefrom. He has stated, notwithstanding the prior release to the
<br />press, that the budget was not yet public property and that he could not release a copy unless ordered to do so
<br />by council.
<br /> It is clear that Council does not intend to hold public conferences on this year's
<br />budget or to provid.e copies of the proposed budget To interested ci.tizens and groups of citizens as hms been
<br />the custom ia past years.
<br /> Also, in a relatively few days, the budget will be placed on its first reading and a
<br />public hearing will be held which, if nothing ms done to correct the situation, will be a travesty of justice
<br />and a blot on free government. The people will be ignorans of the contents of the budget and their rights
<br />will be just as effectively infringed as if the mandatory hearing itself was ~y=passed~
<br /> It is to be remembered that the Chairman of Council. last year, established his own
<br />rules for the conduct of the public hearing on the budgez. He ruled that ~he speaker must be able 5o point ou~
<br />the specific item of the budget to which he intended to spea~, and could not speak generally on spending. He
<br />ruled several citizens out of order because they were unable 5o quote the applicable budget item. If this
<br />usurpation of power is to be allo~ed this year it is imperative that copies of the budget be provided the public
<br />well in advance of the hearing.
<br /> It is respectfully submitted that it is the right and responsibility of the Portsmouth
<br />Republican Party so have custody of at least one copy of the proposed budget for fiscal year 1963-64 at the
<br />earliest possible date. Therefore, it is requested that Council, at the regular meeting of the 14th of May,
<br />1963, direct the Manager 5o provide the abovesaid party with either a proposed, or the final draft, of said
<br />budget."
<br />
<br /> Motion of Mr. Dillon that the communication be received as information was adopted,
<br />without dissenting vote.
<br />
<br /> 63.-116 - The following communicstion ~om the Planning Director was read:
<br />
<br /> "At its regular monthly meeting on May ?, 1963, the Cfty Planning Comm~s~mo~ nanlmously
<br />resolved to recommend smle of city-owned Lots 12-16, Parcel 56, Tax Plate 64."
<br />
<br />On motion of Mr. Eastes, referred to the City Manager.
<br />
<br />63-117 - The following communication from the Planning Director was read:
<br />
<br /> "Az its regular monthly meeting on May 7, 196~, the City Planning Commission again
<br />unanimously resolved to recommend closure of an alley between the ~00 block or.Douglas Avenue and the 800
<br />block of Hamilton Avenue from the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad to a point 125 feet north of Portland Street.
<br /> In 1956 this closure was reconmlended by the City Planning Commission, and on
<br />November 27, 1956, City Council unanimously approved an ordinance on first reading. The ordinance subsequently
<br />was aever passed. A copy~of this ordinance is attached. If ii can now be passed on second reading without
<br />further ado. the Planning Commissmon endorses such action.
<br /> Moreover, the Planning Commission has received from the applicatn, P. J. & W. B. Harper,
<br />Jr., of the Norport Van and Storage Company, MO0 Douglas Avenue, an agreement to have s surveyor draw a plat of
<br />said property showing it ss one tract and subsequently zo put such plat to record.
<br /> The property in its entirety is zoned Industrial M-l, and this action ss but another step
<br />in our industrial development program."
<br />
<br />On motion of Mr. Knight, referred to the City Attorney, without dissenting vote.
<br />
<br /> 63-118 - The following cormmunication from E. L. Boyce, Jr,, by his Attorney, Robert C.
<br />Barclay, Jr., was read:
<br /> "The undersigned, E. L Boyce, Jr., respectfull~ makes application so the City Council of
<br />the City of Portsmouth for the vacation, closing and discontinuance of that portion of Bayview Boulevard lying
<br />to the east of the eastern side of Chautauqua Avenue in the City of Portsmouth, Virginia.
<br /> He respectfully requests that said street be closed in accordance with the provisions
<br />of Section 15-766 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, and that Viewers be appointed to vsew said street
<br />a-nd report to the City Council in w~iting ss to whether in their opinion any, and if any, what snconvenience
<br />would result from discontinuing the same. He has given the notice required by said Code section, a copy of which
<br />is returned herewith.
<br /> The closing of this street was approved by the Planning Commission of the City of
<br />Portsmouth on January lB, 1963.
<br /> Your favorable consideration of zhis matter will be greatly appreciated."
<br />
<br />On motion of Mr. Dillon, the following resolution was adopted:
<br />
<br /> "WHEREAS, The application of Portsmouth Industrial Foundation and E. L. Boyce, Jr., [o
<br />vacate, close and disc~ontinue that portion of Bayview Boulevard lying to the east of Chautauqua Avenue has bees
<br />referred to the Planning and Zoning Commission for investigation and rep.crt, and said Con~ission has recommended
<br />the closing of the ssid portion of Bayview Boulevard and it appearing that notice of the application and request
<br />for the appointment of viewers wa~uly posted on the first day of tha term of cours of the Circuit Court of the
<br />City of Portsmouth, Virginia, held on the 22nd day of April, 1963, on the bulletin board of the Circuit Court of
<br />the City of Portsmouth, on the bulletin board of the Court of Hustings for the City of Portsmouth, and on a
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