Minutes 01/22/1935 - Laserfiche WebLink

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!99 Power Company in ~prtsmouth, if handled properly, should prevent a decrease in the taxes on this property of $~70.O0 per year. This saving will not'only b~ for one yea~, but each yea~ in the future until the properties are re-valued. All papers regarding this were given to Mr. Barclay, aity Attorney, today. Negotiations are about complete for securing sufficient property near the High Sehool for an athletic field for the schools and city. Ninety day options have been secured on all of the property necessary but three small pieces. Suff~c_ent property tan'be secured at a cost not to exceed Six Thousand Dollzrs to provide a suitable athletic field, provided this work is carried to completion before the present options expire. This will not only provide an athletic field which is Badly needed, but will result in ~mprov~no· 'e property near the High School and eliminate some very unsightly conditions. ' I have given considerable study to-the question of a municipal power plant for Portsmouth and from the studies made, am cf the opinion that the.City can erect power plant and provide electric current for itself and citizens at a lower cost than they are now being, supplied and at the same time make a reasonable profit which could be used in the reduction of real estate taxes, Which is badly needed. .This kind of project is in line with the National Policy of--the National Government and there is no doubt but what sufficient funds could Be borrowed from the Government at a very low rate of interest to erect such a plant. I trust it will be you~pleasure to continue these studies with a view of bringing this about, if it is determined to be advisable after a thorough study has been made.. The repaying of High Street from Effingham to Middle Streets has been approved by the State Highway Comm~ission and the Federal Government. The State Highway eom - mission proposes to advertise for bids on this work in the near future. This work is to be done with the Federal Funds allecatedto the City for road construction during the first half of 1935. The request from the Virginia Electric & Power aompany to be permitted to substitute buses for street cars which was placed by you with a committee of the Oounci! for consideration has been given some study by me but the study has not advanced far enough to per- mit definite conclusions. The Gororner~s duties could be transferred to the City Physician at a saving of approximately $1100.O0 a year to the City. Dr. Hoper, the ~ity Physician, has ad - vised me on more ~han one occasion that he Could assume these duties without any increased cost in his department. I was glad to have been able to recommend restoration of part of the pay cut to the employees receiving less than $3.00 per day, in the 1935 budget. If it had not been for this restoration in pay and the increased cost of materials,, the budget recommended for 1~35 would have been apprcximatel~ $10,0OO.00 less. I feel that the City ham made real, and I trust, lasting progress dur- ing the past two years and it is my very earnest hope that it will go on and on to greater ac- complishments. Only by the truest cooperation can the substantial orogress which is within the City's grasp be realized. I wish to thank you most heartily for the man~ kindnesses and courte- sies yen have shown me, both individually and as a body. If I can ever be of service to the City, it will be a pleasure for me to do so." Motion of Mr· Stewa~ ~o file same, was adopted; Mr. Oast voting ~d - "When the building occupied by the Citizens Trust Company was erected in 1913 an opening was made in the sidewalk for the purpose of placing coal in the cellar of the building. At that time a bond was given te the City by the Bank of Tidewater, Incorporated, with Mr. E.L. Lash as surety, to protect the ~ity against any damage which the City may sus- tain by reason of the opening. The Ba~k of Tidewater, Incorporated, is now out of existence and Mr. Lash has requested to be relived from lzability o~ .the bond. The ~itizens Trust Company has signified its willingness to carry an insurance nolicy to protect the ~ity against injuries in this connection and has furnished the attache~ policy. I recommend that Mr. Lash be relieved frop the bond of $5,000.00 upon receipt of assurances from the ~itizens Trust Company that it wzll either pay the premiums or the insurance or will protect the City harmless against accidents so long as the opening re- mains in the sidewalk.'~ Motion of Mr. Fox to refer to the City Attorney was adopted. Acting Oity Manager stated the resolution adopted by the Council, ~934, m~ving the City work from the Treasurer's office to the City ~ollector's been put into effect. December 2?th, office has not Me,ion of Mr. Stewart to refer the matter to the Oity Attorney to prepare a ~lan for said~transfe~ and report at next meeting, was adopted. Acting Oity Manager stated that ihs Oity could purchase road oil from the Govern- ment at a nomiRal price. Motion of Mr. Hutchins to refer to Acting City Manager, was adopted. The.following communication from the Ohief of Police was read: "I am in receipt of your letter of January 19th with reference to enl~ted men arrested by this Department, and your instructions will be complied with." On motion ordered filed. "In regards to the matter of a petition filed with your office on January 8th requesting that Oharlie Oodd be prohibited from opening a place of business at the corner of Pearl and Queen Streets because it was feared that he would use it for headquarters of a hum-