Minutes 07/08/2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Julv 8. 2008 At a Called Meeting of the City Council on Tuesday, July 8, 2008, there were present: Mayor James W. Holley III, *Vice Mayor William E. Moody, Jr., Marlene W. Randall, Stephen E. Heretick, Elizabeth M. Psimas, Douglas L. Smith, Charles B. Whitehurst, Sr., City Manager Kenneth L. Chandler, City Attorney G. Timothy Oksman. 08 - 312 - The following call for the meeting was read: "Please attend a Called Meeting of the City Council to be held in the Council Chamber, 801 Crawford Street, 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 8, 2008 for the purpose of a Public Work Session. In addition, you may consider a motion to go into a Closed Meeting. By order of the Mayor." 08 - 313 - The following items were discussed in Public Work Session: '" The following statement was read by Debra White, City Clerk, on behalf of Councilman Charles B. Whitehurst, Sr.: "During the 2008 political drive, I announced that my campaign received a personal donation from Senator L. Louise Lucas in the sum of $10,000 that was timely reported as required by law; further I revealed that I am a $2,500 investor in the Conference Center planned for the Victory Crossing area but I am not an investor in the planned hotel component. While I know with certainty that I would never break the trust I have earned over the many years of public service, the Virginian Pilot editorials have attempted to paint a "backroom deal" between Senator Lucas and myself. I requested and obtained an opinion from the City Attorney and given the aforementioned facts, I have therefore decided to disqualify myself from participating in any form and/or discussing and ultimately casting a vote for or against the Lucas Project. Our system of representative government is dependent, in part, upon citizens maintaining the highest trust in their public officers and employees." '" During the presentation, Councilman Whitehurst left the Council Chamber. 1. Empowerment Zone Facility Bonds Update - Michael E. Glenn, MBE, Principal of Luna Development Services, LLC / William L. Nusbaum, Esq. of William Mullen '" At the conclusion of discussion, Councilman Whitehurst returned to Council Chamber. 2. Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority/Urban Design Associates (PRHAlUDA) Jeffry Wilson - Kathy Warren, PRHA Development Director 08 - 314 - Motion by Ms. Psimas, and seconded by Mr. Heretick, to go into Closed Meeting pursuant to provisions of Section 2.2-3711 (A) of the Code of Virginia to discuss appointments to boards and commissions, as per subsection 1, and the possible acquisition of real estate, as per subsection 3. The subject matter of the meeting includes appointments of citizens to boards and commissions and the possible acquisition of certain real estate in the downtown area of Portsmouth.