Minutes 03/28/1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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March 28~ 1995 At a Called Meeting of the City Council on Tuesday, March 28, 1995, there were present: Mayor Gloria O. Webb, Vice Mayor Johnny M. Clemons, Bernard D. Griffin, Sr., James C. Hawks, *James T. Martin, Cameron C. Pitts, P. Ward Robinett, Jr., V. Wayne Orton, City Manager, George M. Willson, Acting City Attorney. 95-133 - The following call for the meeting was read: "Please attend a Called Meeting of the City Council to be held in the City Council Chamber, 6th floor of City Hall, 801 Crawford Street, at 5:00 p.m.; Tuesday, March 28, 1995, for the purpose of a Public Work Session. in addition, you may consider a motion to go into an Executive Session. By order of the Mayor." 95-135 - The following budget message was submitted by the City Manager: "Before we can realize our ultimate success as a city, we must determine our vision and direction. With that basic premise, last year you authorized the development of a new ten-year economic and community development plan now known as "Vision 2005," At the same time, realizing that plans facilitate goal achievement, you developed one and five year goals. We now are more assured of long-term success for we have moved deliberately and effectively away from short-term thinking. To facilitate this move, the budget presented today addresses our budgetary needs for the next two fiscal years. While this approach departs from our past practice, it is a prudent measure which will keep us focused on our long-term objectives. What are the major themes that are reflected in our plans and goals and how are they addressed and reflected in this proposed budget? How does the budget generate, through its resources, the positive momentum needed to realize our purpose? How does it answer the question, "where are we headed?" The answers will he reflected in the recommendations to follow. A good budget represents merely a plan of resource allocations directed toward the accomplishment of that which is important to those responsible for its development - the citizens of Portsmouth, Virginia. Accordingly, in r~flecting the vision and goals of our city, there is no limit tO what can be accomplished as it does not matter who gets the credit - the benefit goes to our city and all of its citizens. The economic challenge of our city remains ever apparent. It is as apparent today as it was when I became City Manager. We are, however, well on our way toward mastering the challenges with which we live. The economic and fiscal problems ~of the nineties are not behind us. While we are better positioned, we still have many difficult leadership and management challenges to face on the economic front.