Minutes 08/14/1962 - Laserfiche WebLink

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the exceptional vehicle that ~avels this slowly. Police patrol in this area is almost non-existent, and excessive speed is commonplace. Many familiss in the area have small children and pets. and none of us want to see death or injury take place. The ridiculous speeds 5ravelled are a constsn5 source of annoyance and danger, 50 the point of actually waking residents ar night : Many drivers seem ro accelerate from the stop sign at Glasgow Street or the traffic light au Leckie Street~ depending on the direction of travel, and do not slacken speed until they must slow for the next stop of rum The modern automobile can attain a great deal of speed within a six block stretch, and far 50o many do just this. These automobiles frequently shake houses bordering Peninsula Avenue, making this street noisy and unsafe to even turn into. Another source of irritation is the testing of vehicles, including trucks, by various High Street Dealers. Tyree Jones has been identified as the worst and most frequent offender. A mechanic intent on the acceleration and other performance of his vehicle certainly cannot give his full attention to the dangers of other vehicles and children along his route. Certain nearby service stations also use Peninsula Avenue as a track along which ro push defective automobiles rapidly so as ro start their motors. Proper control of either the pushing truck or the disabled vehicle cannot possibly be maintained. It has been suggested that a radar unit be obtained and used frequently enough ro obtain the desired results. A police officer stationed in the area for an hour or two has little effect, for the offenders appear ar any and all times of the day and night. We mus~ have relief from this situation before a 5rsgedy occurs." (Signed: Mrs. Russell E. Bonjis, 1609 B Street and many others) is being continued. Motion of Mr. Knight to refer to the City Manager for report was adopted, without dissenting The City Manager reported on a traffic study which hsd been made and stated that the study Motion of Mr. Barnes that the report be received snd that the study continue was adopted. 62-187 - The following letter from the West Side Civic League was read: "On June 8. 1962, this League questioned the validiuy of Council's appointment of Vice Mayor Jack P. Barnes to the Airporz Authority. citing Chapter Three, Section Nineteen of the Portsmouth City Charter. We noted in the Press accounzs of the Council meeting that this matter was referred to the City Attorney. We have no knowledge as 5o whether an opinion has been rendered by the City Attorney. The news accounts also reported that the definition of "Office" as referred to in Chapter Three, Section Nineteen of Portsmouth's Charter would be the determining factor. In as much as the language used in our City Charter corresponds to that used in Section 121 of the Constitution of Virginia and Chapter 15-393 of' the Code of Virginia, prohibiting appointment or election by Council of a Councilman for an office to be filled by Council, it would seem that the responsibility of determining the intent of the word "Office rests with the Attorney General of VirgInia. Therfore, we respectfully request your honorable body 5o seek an opinion of the Attorney General through one of Portsmouth's members of the Virginia General Assembly. (Signed: Louis M. Keller, Corresponding Secretary)" Motion of Mr. Leafy that one of the members of the General Assembly be requested to secure an opinion from the Attorney General in this matter, was adopted, without dissenting yore. 62-188 - The following communication from R. A. Powell was read: "This letter comes to you as a f~iendly reminder of the existing problem that I am confronted with as a businessman and taxpayer of this city. My business is established at the above address (1116 County Street) and has been since 1948. I have not been ab&e to secure s thirty minute parking sign for my customers to leave and pick up their clothing only. When they do stop a policeman gmves tickets which has caused my business to drop considerably. Signs have been placed on both sides of the street which state no parking. I am located in the middle of the block between Elm and Pearl Streets on the left side going downtown. The only place my customers can park is in front of the plant and leave and pick up their clothes only. I have made several trips to the police department and conversed with Captain Huntly and Chief of Police. Also I have talked with Mayor Smith and the City Manager but all contacts have been invained. ' The last person I visited was City Manager Johnson. He promised that he would contact the police department and tell them not give any more tickets to customers leaving or picking up clothing. Enclos~ you will find three tickets that were insurred since this promise was made. Also I have paid several for my customers. The police- men who have issued the tickets have stated that they have not been contacted by anyone concerning the problem. The policemen have indicated to me and the customers that as long as the signs are there they will issue tickets. I have had all kinds of excuses, Mr. Johnson says its a one way street, which is a poor excuse. He also stated that it was a one way street and necessitated keeping the traffic moving freely to Washington Street. Yef in the 800 block of County Street a thirty minute sign is there for the businesses, which I say is ~ill ~ one way street. Gentlemen it would be be~ter to have s thirty minute parking sign than for customers to leave their cars running with the door open for a short while to pick up clothes. Customers know that they are not allowed to park there to leave or pick up clothes, therefore, when they come to pick up clothing so often they see policemen, they are firghtened and leave in a hurry which could cause a serious accident. Last year this problem was given some consideration but was not solved. They gave me a twenty-five minute truck sign only but my customers do not drive trucks. I have also parked my truck there to load and unload clothes but I too was given tickets. I have purchased CO licenses through the years. Will you gentlemen please give this your immediate attention? Thanking you in adv-ance for all consideration shown." Motion of Mr. Barnes to refer to the next conference of the Council and that the City Manager bring a map on this and other parking problems, was adopted without dissenting vote. 62-189 - The following communication from the Planning Director was read: "At its regular monthly meeting on July 17, 1962, the City Pianning Commission unanimously