|
60~352 - The following ordihance, apprbved on first reading at last meeting, was taken
<br />
<br />up and read:
<br />
<br /> "AN~ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER S OF THE CODE OF 'r~ CITY OF PORTSMOUTH
<br />VIRGINIA, 1951, BY ADDING THERETO. A NEW ARTICLE ~ERED IV (E) CONSISTING OF
<br />SECTIONS 8-1.55 THROUGH 8-1.71, INCLUSIVE, TO PROVIDE FOR 'tm ANNUAL ASSESSMENT
<br />0FRE~L ESTATE FOR TAi(ATION BY A SINGLE ASSESSOR, HIS APPOINTRENT, DUTIES AND
<br />POWERS, EQUALIZATION OF SUCH~ASSESSMENTS AND PEOVIDI'NG PENALTIES FOR 'VIOLATION
<br />THEREOF"
<br />
<br />Motion of Mr. Barnes th~ the ordinance be adopted.
<br />
<br />The following letter from West Side Civic League was read:
<br />
<br /> "The West Side Civic League ~espectfully requests permission to be heard on December 27,
<br />1960, when City Council has the ordinance establishing a single assessed'before it for final approval. We wish
<br />to speak on this ordinance.before it is presented to the Council for approval. (Signed) SmoBidgood~Jr. Cot. SeCo"
<br />
<br />Motion of Mr. ~arnes to suspend the rules ~o hear from interested persons, was adopted.
<br />
<br />adoption:
<br />
<br />The following spoke, asking for a public hea~ing on the ordinance before
<br />Louis Whitehead, Fred C MacDonald, Ma~in Abraham, Louis H. Keller
<br />
<br />its final
<br />
<br />Mr. Walker read the following statement:
<br />
<br /> "It is obvious that this ordinance will be approved on its final reading. The responsi-
<br />bility for its re--enactment, without the~knowledge of the public, in the same form as previously enacted, and
<br />without sufficient timeto permit proper re-a~sessment, should be pointed out for the record. Its passage~under
<br />these conditions, insure the retention of present assessment levols,~and in fact approves taxation with~t ~epre-
<br />sentation,
<br /> The prime and greatest responsibility for this breakdown in the democratic process must
<br />be attributed re the press. Although in possession of all information, both pro and con, about the issue, it
<br />has not been presented~tO-~the public fo~ their discussion and choice of desired action. The ~neral public, at
<br />t~is date,is ignorant of the issue. No reporter, fired with the traditions of a free press, er with the ideal~
<br />of Our form of government, has searched the record, :or the law, and printed the unbiased news of itl Rather,
<br />line has been that taxes aretaxes, whet~er produced legally by ~ax rate qr indirectly by upping the value: (The
<br />man is dead. What mat~er whet~er it be m~rder or old age?) Si~c~ the pr6posed ordinance was approved on firs1
<br />reading, a period of two weeks, not one single mention of this most important issue .has appeared in either brancl
<br />of the press. When the;a~6~da was ~eported 'fOr this'meeting both papers failed to lis~ it as bein~ on the agend~
<br /> The next greatest degree of responsibiIfty lies on the shoulders of the three members
<br />elected to this body on this issue - to cut expenditures - correct an inequitable assessment - lawfully raise
<br />taxes by ~ax rate.
<br /> Next, responsibilityrests keavy on the two members of the Council responsible for the
<br />mis-use 'of the previous assessment ordinance and for failure to recognize the dangers inherent in this type of
<br />legislation and to profit from past experience. Last, but not least, the ~wo new members hsve failed to take an
<br />interest and an active part in preventing another upheaval when our assessment level is moved out into the an -
<br />hexed territory in August, 19aZ."
<br />
<br /> Vote being taken, Mr. Barnes' motion was adopt6d, and by the following vote: ~
<br />
<br />Mays: ~alker
<br />
<br />60-353 - The following ordihance, approved on firs~ reading, st the last meeting, was
<br />
<br />"AN ORDINANCE TO CLOSE THAT PORTION OF HAMILTON AVENUE BE'I%~EEN 'DETROIT STREET AND
<br />THE NORTHEASTERN BOUNDARY LINE OF THE NEW PORT NORFOLK ELE~iENTARY SCHOOL SITE"
<br />
<br />On motion of Mr. Weiseman, the ordinanbe was adopted, and by the following' vote:
<br />
<br /> Ayes: Smith, Barnes, Breedlove, L~ary, Seward, Walker, Wei seman
<br /> Nays: None
<br />
<br />60-354 - The following ordinance, approved on first reading a~ last meeting, was taken up
<br />
<br />"AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 2-32 OF T~ CODE OF THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA,
<br />'1951, TO PROVIDE FOR ~CCU1UJLATION OF' SICE LEAVE'TO A NAXI~N3M OF FORTY-FIVE DAYS"
<br />
<br /> On.motien of Mr. Breedlove,~the ordinance was adopted, and by the following vote:
<br />
<br />.............. · Aye~ Smith, B~rnes, B ~eedlove, Leary, Seward, Walker, Wei~eman
<br />.... N~ys~ None
<br />
<br /> 60-356 - An appropriation of $250,000.00 from the Annexation Bond Fund to p~y Norfolk Coun
<br />"for-loss of rev~nhe a~ decreed by the Annexation Court, approved On first reading at last meeting, was taken up.
<br />
<br /> On motion of Mr. Weiseman, an appropriation of $250,000.00 for said purpose was made, and by
<br />the following-vote: ' ' ~
<br />
<br /> Ayes: Smith, Barnes, Breedlove, Leary, Seward, Walker, Weisem~n
<br /> Nays: None
<br /> 60-358 - An appropriation of '$148,800.00 f~r cost of equipment and architect's fees in cons-
<br /> truction of Brighton and Cavalier Manor Schools, was taken up.
<br />
<br />ty
<br />
<br />
<br />
|