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May 13th. 1958.
<br />
<br />On motion fi~ed.
<br />
<br /> 58-151 "I am in receipt of a letter from Mr. Sol Soroko, President of the Portsmouth
<br />Theatre Corporation received too late to appear on the agenda. This letter is for your consideration."
<br />
<br /> "In a letter dated January 24, 1958, we requested Cit~ Council to rescind the tax on
<br />theatre tickets and to adjust the theatre license tax to conform $ith those license taxes paid by other busi-
<br />nesses. Since, by late April, we had not been notified of any action taken, we requested that the ~atter be
<br />brought up at the regular Council meeting of April 22nd, 195g. This was done and the Council expressed a desire
<br />for additio hal information as to the status of these taxes in other parts of the State.
<br /> This additional information has been supplied and we now request that Council act upon
<br />our long pending petition at it~ next regular meeting of May 13, 1958~
<br /> Relief from the ticket tax and adjustment of the license tax is absolutely imperative
<br />if the theatre industry, in the City of Portsmonth, is not to be penalized for bei%g.in the theatre business.
<br />This relief is also imperative to assist the theatres to continue in op~eration.
<br /> Gentlemen, we are not asking for concessions. We ~eel that we should not have to bear
<br />any more of the tax burden than any other business. Your a~firmative action is urged."
<br />
<br />Motion of Mr. Hinton to suspend the rules to hear from interested persons, was adopted.
<br />
<br />Mr. Melzer Diggs spoke for the inclusion of the admission tax in this study,
<br />
<br />This matter was referred to the budget conference.
<br />
<br /> 58-152 - "I am attaching hereto a letter received from the Superintendent of the Water
<br />Department,. X.D. ~urden, wherein he recommends that Contract A be awarded to the Tidewater Construction Company
<br />with the bid of $906,000.00 for the construction of the Lake Meade Dam and that Contracts B and C bids be re -
<br />jeered.
<br /> I concur in Mr. 'Murden's recommendation and recommend that the proper city
<br />officials be authorized and directed to execute the contract between the City of Portsmouth and the Tidewater
<br />Construction Corporation when the contract has been properly prepared and presented, subject to the approval of
<br />the City Attorney as to legality and proper legal terms."
<br />
<br />Motion o£ Mr. Kirby to concur in the recommendation of the City Manager was adopted.
<br />
<br /> 58-153 - "I submit the attached letter from A.E. Parker and I recommend his suggestion
<br />be approved that the taxpayer be allowed interest on any overpayment paid in June~ which the Board subsequently
<br />reduces, for a period of six months, from July 1, 1958 to December 1958." -
<br />
<br /> Attached- "It is evident that the Equalization Board will not have their reports in before the
<br />collection of taxes in June and that the ~axpayers will be required to pay the first installment before all ad-
<br />justments can be made.
<br /> I suggest that the taxpayer be allowed in~erest on any overpayment paid in June,
<br />that the Board subsequently reduces, for s period of six months, ~rom July to December.
<br /> If this meets with your approval, it will be necessary to request che Council to
<br />approve. I believe this will expedite the-collection in June."
<br />
<br /> Motion of ~lr. Kirby that the recommendation be adopted, with interest payable at one
<br />~alf o£ one per cent per month, not to exceed six months, was adopted, and by the following vote:
<br />
<br />On
<br />
<br /> Ayes: Bartlett, Baker, Hinton, Kirby, Scott, Smith, Weiseman
<br /> Nays: None
<br />
<br /> 58-154 - Motion of Mr. Kirby tQ suspend the order o~ business to bring up a matter not
<br />the agenda, was adopted, and .by the following vote:
<br />
<br />Ayes: Bartlett.Hinton, Kirby, Scott, Weiseman
<br />Nays: Baker, S~ith
<br />
<br /> The following letter fromthe Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority was read:
<br />
<br /> '~his is to advise you that the inspection of the housing conditions in the~Lineolns-
<br />ville Urban Renewsl Area by the Building Inspector, the Fire Department, and the Department of Public Health
<br />has been completed. We ~ave attached a summary of their findings for your information.
<br /> The Authority's staff is now documenting the Project Eligibility and Relocation Report
<br />which will demonstrate conclusively that the area is blighted and deteriorated as defined by the Virginia Hous-
<br />ing Authority's Law and that sufficient standard housing accommodations are available for families to-be dis -
<br />placed. Approval of ~his report by the Urban Renewal Administration will allow the Authority to proceed with
<br />the final planning stage.
<br /> The Urban Renewal Administration has requested, h~ever, that the report contain a res-
<br />olution by the City Council reaffirming its suppor~ of the project. In order that the Authority may proceed
<br />with the final plans as soon as possible, we respectfully request such an expression ~rom Council.
<br /> If you have any questions or desire any other information, please feel free to contact
<br />me or the sta£f o~ the Authority. - Signed George O Diggs,Chairman."
<br />
<br />Motion o£ Mr. Smith to susp~ld the rules to hear from James G.H.Mitchell,was adopted.
<br />Mr, Mitchell spoke for the tabling of the resolution until next meeting.'
<br />
<br />O~ motion of ~Lr. Kirby, ~he following resolution was adopted, and by the following
<br />
<br /> Ayes: Bartlett, Baker, Hi~ton, Kirby, Scott, Smith,Weiseman
<br /> ~ays: None
<br />
<br />"WHEP~AS, an inspection of the Housing conditions existing in ~he Lincolns-
<br />ville Urban Renewal Ar~a discloses that the said area is blighted and deter-
<br />
<br />
<br />
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