Minutes 11/24/1959 - Laserfiche WebLink

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November 24th, 1959 59-247 - Mbtion of Mr. Walker that the following ordinance, tabled at a previous meeting be taken from the table, ~as~16~t, there beiMg n~ second to the motion.: "AN ORDINANCE TO REPEAL SECTION 2-67 'COMPOSITION OF POLICE DIVISION' AND SECTION 2-69 'COMPOSITION OF FIRE DIVISION' OF T~E ~0DE 9F. THE tITY OF PORTSMOUTH,VIRGINIA, 195L, AND PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMPLE~IENT, THE CLASSIFICATION OF EMPLO.YM~NT, AND A COMPENSATION PLAN FOR FIREMEN AND ~OLICA~MEN OF THE CITY" - 5FEW BUSINESS 59-314 - The following letter from the West Side Civic League was read: "While we do not doubt the sincerity of those who are in favor, of the advertising pub- licity campaign to the citizens of Norfolk County, who are being annexed, we still feel that you would welcome another suggestion that would answer the same purpose. If Fou do not feel the public meetings will answer the same purpose as your suggested publicity c~mpamgn, we suggest the following: That as soon as possible after Jan. l, 1960, an official opening of the Municipal Building be hel~, with all Department heads and some of their staff present at their respective offices to meet and info~ the ~public who attends, giving the information that had been planned for this publicity campaign. If it is felt that the people should receive literature, then ~ this could be gotten up by the Department heads and distributed ~o the citizens visiting the municipal building. We suggest all Counci~ members be present as well as the Superintendent of Schools and members from the Fire and Police Departments. It would be nmce to have some equipment from the Fire and Po- lice Departments on display for all to see. It would give the citizens an opportunity to meet and ask question~ on matters of interest to them. The u3aveilin~ of a very ~eautiful plaque for the Municipal Building, which has been completed for some months, could take place at this official opening of the Municipal Building. If this suggestion is accepted, we suggest that the openin~ be on more than one night to afford all an opportunity who are interest, to attend. If this is done, it will b e the first opportunity the citizens of Portsmouth and the new citizens will have had to see the new building, and to meet and talk with the elective and administrative officials of Portsmouth. This could really be an interest and gala affair. One that would not be soon forgotten. (Signed) Lo,is ~. Keller, President, W est Side Civic League." The'Chair compounded the West Side Civic-League for its interest and fine suggestion; ether members of the Council~'agreeing; and suggested'that something be done, after J~uuary 1st, 1960, to comply with the proposal of the Club. Motion of Mr. Breedlove that the Clerk acknowledge the communication,with tha~ was adopted, without dissenting vote. 59-315 - The following communication from the Commissioner of Revenue was read: "Please be advised that Sara Bomberg has been assessed for 5angible personal property valued for-$1,460.00, with ~axes ea~ounting %o $40%15. Our i~vestig~tio~ reveals that the correct assessment should have been $1,E50;09 wi{h takes amounting to $3~.38,?repPese~ti~ ever-assessment in taxes ~mounting to $5.77. The taxpayer has paid the origihal~tax notice as evidenced by the inclosed receipt No.1427. As this ms definitely an overpayment of $5.77, we sincerely request that a refund in this amount be made to the taxpayer Motion of ~r. Weisemau to approve said refund of $5.77 on first reading was adopted, without dissenting vote. 59-316 - The following communication from the Special Committee of the Bar Association, "At a meeting of the Portsmouth -Norfolk County Bar Association yesterday, the report ~nd recommendations of a special committee to study the matter of additional judgeships for the lower courzs of the City of Portsmouth were approved and the chairman of the co~aittee directed Eo advise Council of the follow- 1o The City Charter should be amended to provide for appointment of one. or m~readditio~ ~ ~dg~st%o ~ake~a~ 6~the~dicfa~va~kl~d~now~;eamried~by. JudgeCassell in his capacity as Judge off,he Muni- cipal Court with its three divisions (police~ civil, traffic) and as Judge of the Juvenile and Domestic Relation~ 2. Such Charter amendments ns may be necessary should be effected to permit establishmen~ as a separate court any of the present divisions of the ~unicipal Court and to permit any of these divisions to b~ combined with each other or with the Juvenile and Domestie Relations Court as a separate court. The Bar will con- tinue to study the matter of the most effective regrouping of these judicial duties and functions and make fur ther recommendations to the COuncil. 3. The City Charter should be ~mended to provide for appointment of judges of the lower court by the judges 'of the courts of record of~the City of Portsmouth. 4. Effective no later th~u January 1st, 1960, a full time associate judge should be pro- vided ~o aisist Judge Cassell in carryisg"his already tho heavy burden which will be augmented by annexation of additional territories. This associate would serve ~qtil reconstitution of the lower courts and their divisions have been made and the appointment of an additional judge br ~udges. (Signed) Jerome P Car~ II, Member of Com.) M~tion of Mr. Breedlove ~o refer' to a conference of the Council was adopted, without dissenting vote. ......... 59-317 - The ~ayor faad~ a statement regarding the possible expediency of adding a school district' in-order thh~ %~e~ re~iden%s'of the newly"annexed territory could have .representatioh on the School Board. On motion, the rules were suspended to hear from interested persons. The following spoke: Arthur N. Taylo~ delegate to Council from Civi~ Clubs in the annexed 8Jgea Com. J.H. Griffin~ President, Hodges Manor P.T.A. The Mayor suggested that a conference be arranged between the Council and the School Board, at which time all interested persons from the annexed area .could be heard. On motion adjourned. Approve~ - a City Clerk