Minutes 03/13/1923 - Laserfiche WebLink

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~rch 13, t923 On motion, the communication was ordered to be filed. A petition was read from W. M. Smith that he be refunded taxes paid by him on property located in Queen St., for the Year 1922, said property havir~been condemned by the City for the extension of HattonSt. to High. On motion, the petition was referred to the Finance Committee. The following communication was read from Attorney F~ank L. Crocker:" "Council of the City of Portsmouth, and Board of Supervisors of Norfolk County, Portsmouth, Virginia. "March Sixth~ 1923. Gentlemen:- I am handing you herewith copy of a-deed from the United States of America, to the City of Portsmouth and the County of Norfolk, for the Newton Wharf Property, in the City of Norfolk~ Virginia. This property was requisitioned by the United States of~merlca on November l~th, 1918, to be used as a part of the Ferry Te~minml in the City of Norfolk. Under the contract of October 8th, 1918, between the United States of America and the City of Portsmouth, and County of Norfolk, inrelation to the operation of the Norfolk County Ferries, the Government was authorized to acquire this property (paragraph 2nd), the title to the same was to be put in the City and County (p~ragraph 9th). This particular pro- perty having been requisitioned instead of purchased, had to be taken in the name of the United States of America, and the purpose of the enclosed deed is to, put the title of this property in the City of Portsmouth, and the County of Norfolk, Jointly, subject, however, to the lien of the United States for the payment to it~.-~f au~ sum which may be asdertalned to be due to it under the term's of said contract by reason of its acquisition of the Newton W~arf property. This amount can not be determined at this time for the reason thatunder the ~h paragraph of said contract, sub-seCtion (c), this rea~ estate is a part of the "Property Debt," which under parag=aph 6 of said contract is subject to appraisal at the expiration of three years after the conclusion of peace with Germany, as evidenced by the proclamation of the President of the United States, in order 'to determine its fair value to the City and County as a part of a going concern at that time. It is asked that the City c~f Portsmouth and the County of Norfolk execute this deed for the purpose of assuming the lien mentioned above. ~ am therefore asking that your Hohorable bodies authorize the proper officers of the City of Portsmouth and the -County of Norfolk zo execute this deed which is made in triplicate. Very truly yours, On motion of ~. and report. FR~-NK~L. CHOOKER." ~hlte, the deed wms referred to the Oity Attorney for investigation Mr. Brooks offered the following resolution, which was adopted: "W~REAS, the franchise of the Chesapeake and Potomac T~ephone Company for operating and m&i~t~ining its system of telephones in the City of Portsmouth expires on December 28th, be ~HEREAS, it is desirable that a study of the telephone situation i~ the City of Portsmouth undertmken promptly, with m view to prepa~ing ~a new franchise, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Portsmouth, Va.: be who mmy be let- That the President of the Council appoint a committee of three whose duty it shall to s~udy the entire telephone situation and con£er with corporations, firms or individuals desirous of bidding on the new franchise. ~ 2nd- That this 0ommittee shall prepare and submit points to be covered in a model fran- chise for ~ransmission to the Council. 3~- The Committee shall have power to call on the City Manager or other City officers for such assistance as it may deem necessary in it~ Mr. Brooks moved that the City Manager confer with the Board of Fire Underwriters and ascertain the cause of the recent increase in fire rates in the City of Portsmouth. The motion was adopted. Mr. Esleeck moved that the City Manager investigate the expenditure of $108.00 £rom the funds in the hands of the-City Treasurer oolleot~e~ from dog taxes for a pound to take care of $ogs and if he approves the said expenditure~/be authorized to pay for s~me out of funds in his hands from collection of ~og taxes. ~re~surer ~ ~ The motion was adopted. On motion, adjourned.