Minutes 03/14/1961 - Laserfiche WebLink

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March 14th, 1961 city tag, before the dead line, Jan. 3lsd. The City now imposes a $2.00 penalty which is 20% rather than 10% penalty p~us a fine if an automobile is found on the city streets. We hope Council will not wait and cause some unfortunate citizen the expense of a court case. In a decision just handed down by the State Supreme Cour~ of Appeals aPortsmouth citizen was fined $25.00 for~ failing to purchase a ¢it~ automobile tag.. We do not ques- tion the right to impose a fine on one for failure to buy a city tag if be uses Or parks his automobile on the city streets. The opinign written by justice Archibald C B~chanan~ held that the city's tax 'is not a property~:~ tax but a license tax for the privilege of using it (the automobile) on the streets of the City." Portsmouth citizens are being penalized even though the automobile is not being used or parked on the city streets. We are aware that the City is constantly seeking new revenue, but are of th~ opinion the revenue derived from this penalty is more than offset by the ill will created among the already over-taxed automobile ownevs. (signed Louise H Keller, Secretary.)" Motion of Mr, Breedlove to acknowledge the communication and refer re a conference of the Council was adopted, without dissenting vote. 61-70 - The following communication from t~e West Side Civic League.was read: "It is respectfully requested that City Council authorize the immediate repairs to the pedestrian bridge to the City Park to make it safe for those who use this bridge, especially the chil - dren. With all of the old buildings being demolished at this time, we are cerzain there can be found plenty of good lumber for this job at a very little cost to the City~ It is also requested tha~ sufficient lights be placedon and a~ the entrance ~o this bridge. If in doubt about the condition of the bridge taken lookoWe did. (Signed Louis H Keller, Sec." ~_ ~ Motion of Mr. Weiseman to refer to the City Manager for investigation and report, was adopted, without dissenting.vote. ~ 61-71 - The following communication, from James ~. Rsdford was read: ~I was one of the owne~s~of a club h~s t~at carried workers to the Naval Shipyard~ .. I purchased a city tag for my bus which cost ~me $2~.~0. I only. go~ ~o us~ this .tag one month which was through l no fault of'm~ne as you know. I think I deserve a refund on this tag as I can no longer use it. Mr. Hudgins ~ gave me a city tag for a station wagon which cos~1510.00 but toad;me ~he could not refund any money. Appreciate ~ you looking into this mat~er for me." Motion of Mv..Weiseman to refer to the City Attorney for investigation and re - port was adopted, without dissenting vote. : presented: 61-g2 - i. Refund to Rober~ C..Clifford, 50 Gill~s Road, in the amoun5 of $20~8.8, for zaxes paid on property located at Hedges Ferry, which, investigation revealed, is located in Norfolk County. 2. Refund to J.L. Cuffee, 508 Taft Drive, in the amount.of'$7.Z5, for erroneous sssess- memt on tangible personal property. 3. Refund to Octavis S. and Marvin L. Killy, in~ the amount of $16.04 for erroneous assessment on tangible personal property." The following requests~frem the Com~nissioner of Revenue for refunds we~ without dissenting vote. was read: On motion of Mr. weisema~.the three refunds wer~ approved on first reading, 61-~3 - The following communication from the Portsmouth Recreation Comm~ission "At a meeting of the port~mouth Recreation Co~mission held F~bruary.27tl~, the following resolution was unanimously passed. The Commission requests that the City Council g%ve serious coast deration to the installation of lights at the Woodrow Wilson High School baseball field and that these lights be installed jointly with the cost ~o be borne by the School Board end the City for the use of the ~igh School baseball team and the Babe Ruth League of the City gecreation program. It is al~o requested that adequate seats be installed az this field. It is felt by the Commisszon that the most Pressing need at this time is an nde - quately lighted field for the Babe Ruth Baseball Leagues. Your consideration of this matter is appreciated.' (Signed) Rev. Ernest K Emurian, Chairman." Motion of Mr. B ames to refer to t~e City Manager for study end report, was adopted, without dissenting vote. ...... ~f-~-:- The following co~zmunicstion from the Rol%ingwood Ci¥ic Club was read: "Last night at the reg~t~ar me~ti~g of our go~lingwood Civic Club, it was sug - gested t~at a letter be written on behalf of our club reaffirming our stand in favor of the Community ~us Co, ,hav~ lng the franchise to serve this area, We hope this will be taken into consideration when the franchise is fin- ally decided. ~lso, in regard ~o ~rausportation, our club would like ~o go on r~¢erd as favor- ing 'workman buses' being allowed to p%ck-uP and discharge passengers within the City of PorEsmouth~s limits. Many of the people in Rollingwood are ~rployed in the shipyard and t~ese 'workman buses' are their only source ofs~etting to and from work in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard on time. Will you also give this due consideration whenand if the opportunity arrives? Thanking you for any actiqa~you may take, e~c. ~signed, Mrs. FB Murray." Motion of Mr. Weiseman. to acknowledge and refer .~o The next conference on the transit problem, was adopted, without dissenting vote. 61-~5 - The following coramunlcatien from the Portsmouth Transit Company was read: "We are ple~ed to inform the Council that the representatives of our employees have agreed to~-orego~ on April ~ an B c5, per hour wage increase and to ~reeze the hours of work a~ their pres- eat level for a period of fifteen months. They have al~se agreed to work wi~h us to ~ry to overcome certain oper-