Minutes 07/22/2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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July 22. 2008 Financial Impact: . Fiscal Impact information has been distributed to the members of City Council. Staff Recommends: Adoption of resolution. Vision Principle: A Robust and Prospering Economy. Next Steps Following Council Action: . Completion of financing approval process . Completion of facility design . Secure hotel flag . Land acquisition . Submissions to City for approval of permits '" The following statement was read by 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 andlor 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." '" The following statement was read by Councilwoman Marlene W. Randall: "After much careful thought and consideration, I have decided to recuse myself from official consideration of the proposed Lucas Conference Center and Hotel. This statement applies both to my actions as a member of City Council and my actions as a member of the Empowerment Zone Board. As has been reported, my husband has invested a small amount of money in the project. The motive for his investment is important, and I want the public to understand it. He did not make that investment in order to make a personal profit. Instead, he did it because he felt the project will benefit the community as a whole. However, even though there would be no improper motive if I were to participate in consideration of this project, there would still be citizen concern. Because it is so important for citizens to have confidence in their government, I have decided to recuse myself from this project. I make this decision knowing that I could have participated fairly and honestly in consideration of the project had I chosen to do so. I am acting only out of a decent respect for the opinions of the Portsmouth Family, of which we are all members." 1. William Nusbaum, 1700 Dominion Tower, spoke in support of this item. 2. Garland Hale, 117 Shore Drive, spoke in opposition to this item. 3. Elizabeth Anne Stokes, 1 Elmhurst Lane, spoke in opposition to this item. 4. Ted Lamb, 301 Allen Road, spoke in opposition to this item.