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At a regular meeting of the City Council, held on February 9th, 1960, there were
<br />
<br />B.W. Baker, A.C. Bartlett, W.R. Breedlove, n.B. Seward, R. Irvine Smith,
<br />George~R. Walker, H. E. ~eisemau, A.P. Johnson,Jr., City Manager, and
<br />J.S. Livesay, Jr., City Attorney.
<br />
<br />The meeting was opened with prayer by ~. Walker.
<br />
<br /> Minutes of regular meeting of January 26th, 1960, called meeting of January 29th, 1960,
<br />and called meeting of February 6th, 1960, were read and approved.
<br />
<br /> 60-28 - The following statement by the Mayor was read:
<br />
<br /> "Gentlemen of the Council: As a point of personal privilege afforded this position,
<br />the Chair wishes to make a brief statement regarding the unpleasant incident which occurred a~ last Saturday's
<br />Council meeting.
<br />
<br /> I need not repeat to you what happened, for I am sure the memory of it is just as
<br />distasteful to you as it was, and always will be, to me. I sincerely regret, and apelo~mze for, the part I
<br />played in what one of you called a 'low exchange'. '
<br /> No excuses can be offered aow, for we all know that gentlemen serving on legislative
<br />bodies are expected to~ avoid personal attacks, calculated to wouad, offend or insult another member.
<br /> Whatever o. r political differences may be, we have no right to use this Council floor
<br />for airing personal grievances. Our co,duct here reflects not only upon ourselves, but upon the honored City
<br />which we represent.
<br />
<br /> Let us take up the work of this Council in a spirit of dedication and service to those
<br />to whom ~e are responsible. And, may.we from this day forward remember as we serve on this body, judgment o£
<br />human acts can only come £rom our Divine Master. (Signed) B.W. Baker"
<br />
<br />The following reports from the City Manager were read:
<br />
<br /> 60-30 - "I submi~ the attached ordinance and recommend that it be placed on first
<br />reading. This ordinance amends the License Tax ordinanee~oa buses and taxicabs. It changes the rate from
<br />ninetycents per one hundred pound weight to thirty cents per one hundred pound weight, and is retroactive
<br />to January 1st, 1960."
<br />
<br /> Motion of ~rl Weiseman to place the following ordinance on first reading was adopted,
<br />with one dissenting vote, that:of Mr. Breedlove:
<br />
<br />"AN ORDINANCE TO-AMEND SECTIONS 8-78 and 8=79 AND TO REPEAL SECTION
<br />8-89 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY DF PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA, 1951, AS ADOPTED
<br />OCTOBER aT, 1959, RELATING TOLEVY~F~LICENSE TAXON MOTOR VEHICLES,
<br /> TRAILERS AND "
<br /> SEMI--TRAILERS
<br />
<br /> 60-31 -- "I a~ in receipt of a requesz fr~'the Community Library Board for addi-
<br />tional funds. I have met with members of the Board and reviewed their operating expenses for this fiscal year
<br />In order that the Community Library does not operate with a deficit for this fiscal year, it will be neces-
<br />sary to appropriate an additional $6~5.00
<br />
<br /> I recommend a~ appropriation of fhis amount be placed on first reading."
<br />
<br /> On motion of Mr. Smith, an appropriation of $675.00 for said purpose was placed on
<br />first reading, withou~ dissenting vote.
<br />
<br /> 60-3~ - "It is urgent that we prOvid~ additional space at the City garage mn order
<br />that we can properly maintain the City's automotive equmpment. I have investigated what would be the best
<br />solution to this problem and it is my belief that ~he construction of a metal building ?0 feet by 100 feet
<br />adjoining the rear of the present City garage will be the best solution.
<br />
<br /> If at a future date it is felt necessary, this building could be moved to
<br />another location; I have obtained-prices on ~his type buid~ng and the best price is $~,800.00. This does
<br />not include the electrical work m be done.
<br /> I recommend an appropriation of $ ~4,000.00 from the Capital Improvement
<br />Fund be placed on first reading for the'construction of this buildings"
<br />
<br /> ~otion of Mr. Breedlove to place an appropriation of $~4,000.00 for this purpose
<br />on first reading was adopted, without~dissenting vote.
<br />
<br /> 60-33 - "I have presented to the State Highway Department the City's recommendation
<br />for the interchange at Washington St. with reference to Interstate Highway #64. ~s you recall, the City's
<br />recommendation on this interchange required~the use of the traffic signal at the intersection of the exit r~np
<br />and Washingtou St. Due to the high traffic count at this location, the Highway Department reports that it
<br />will be ~mpossihle to use~a traffic;tight-at this intersection. On the alternate plan submitted by the
<br />City, the Highway Department stated it would nor be economically feasible for the type of construction that
<br />would be required to route the exit ramp under the interstate highway at Green St.
<br />
<br /> It is 'the'opini~nof' fihe Highway Department that the interchange requiring
<br />a portion of ~ashington St. to be one-way is the best design for'the City of Portsmouth. If this is not used
<br />it will be necessary to use the original design as prepared by the Highway Department.
<br /> I recommend that theCity Coimcil approve the design requiring a portion of
<br />Washington St. ~o be one-way. This will give much better access to the downtown business district."
<br />
<br /> Motion of Mr. Weiseman to'conCur in the City Manager's recommendation, was adopted,
<br />and by the following vote:
<br />
<br />Ayes: Baker, Bartlett, Breedlove, Seward, Smith, Weiseman
<br />Nays: Walker
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