Minutes 01/27/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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3O2 January27.1998 98-22 Boards and Commissions: There were no appointments. 98-23 Items Submitted by Council Members: Mr. Pitts - for several months now acquisitions of impropriety have been circulating in our community relative to the City Manager's creation and appointment of Mrs. Sheila Pittman to the position of Director of Citizen and Community Outreach. I have investigated, done due diligence with these charges of the alleged illegal activities as it pertains to the City Manager and a Council member and I have been unable to find any factual evidence of any violation of law. However, this has not been acCbptable in the eyes of public opinion, therefore, I have additionally requested an inquiry by the Virginia State Commonwealth's Attorney for Portsmouth, Martin Bullock. I have today received a letter from Mr. Bullock in response to my inquiry which reads as follows: Dear Councilman Pitts: This letter is in response to your request that my office investigate Councilman's 'Martin's involvement in Sheila Pittman's appointment as the Community and Citizen Outreach Director for the City of Portsmouth. I have reviewed the governing state and local crimina[statues and at this time I find no violations of any criminal laws regarding Mrs. P.ittman's appointment. If you have any additiona) questions please-feel free to contact me. Sincerely -Martin Bullock. Based on the far going information, I move for the acceptance bythis City CounciI of Mr. Bullock's ruling and request that the City Manager provide* Council with a written summary of the circumstances and justh'ication and expectations for his creation and appointment of Sheila Pittmanr'to thi~ posifioW within the next two weeks. Motion was seconded by Mr Berm, andwa~ adopted by ~nimous vote. 98-23 Non Agenda Speakers: 1. Alan Betrand, 1006 Jefferson Street, taxicabs and the permit process. spoke regarding the leasing of 2. Warner Hicks, 454 Chestnut Street, spoke on taxicab issues and interpretation of Section 37-101, and Section 37-104. 3. Zelma Rivin, 220 Washington Street, announced that as of this date, the Cultural Diversity Action Team is dissolved. Joseph C. Woodell, 122 Riverside Drive, requested repeal and replacement of ordinance banning tattoo parlors. Motion by Mr. Robinett, and seconded by Mr. Berm, to go into Executive Session pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.1-344 of the Code of Virginia, to discuss or consider the following matters: Discussion of the performance of spe.cific public officers, appointees or employees of the City, as permitted by Subsection (A)(1). The condition, acquisition or use of real property for a public purpose, or the disposition or publicly held property, as permitted by subsection (A)(3). Motion was adopted by unanimous vote. Motion by Mr. Robinett, and seconded by Mr. Benn, pursuant to Section 2.1-344.1 of the Code of Virginia certifying that to the best of the Council Member's knowledge during the immediately proceeding Executive Session of the City council: