Minutes 08/08/2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Au.clust 8, 2000 WHEREAS, abandoned and derelict buildings become potential targets for arsonists, with three such buildings in the City of Portsmouth having been heavily damaged by deliberately-set fires in the last four months; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that this negative impact is heightened when a concentration of abandoned and derelict buildings exists; and WHEREAS, 70% or 66 of the 95 severely-deteriorated derelict buildings found within the boundaries of the City of Portsmouth are located in an area comprising less than 20% of the city's land area; and WHEREAS, this same area is participating in such neighborhood rehabilitation and economic development initiatives as the HOPE VI federal grant program and the federal Empowerment Zone program; and WHEREAS, the continued presence of derelict buildings will hinder the development sparked by these federal grants; and WHEREAS, while over 55% of the City of Portsmouth is exempt from real estate taxes, the City has nevertheless already attacked this problem by utilizing combined General Budget funds in the amount of $200,000 either spent in the City's FY 1999- 2000 budget or committed in the current FY 2000-2001 budget; and WHEREAS, these activities are supported by the efforts of the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority through the use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds in the removal of additional derelict buildings; and WHEREAS, since the demolition and removal of debris from a site cost an average of $3,500 per structure, budget limitations will not allow an aggressive enforcement action to address 34 properties identified as derelict and abandoned; and WHEREAS, seeking $100,000, of Virginia Derelict the City of Portsmouth desires to submit the necessary application the maximum amount potentially available under the Commonwealth Structures Removal Fund. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of Portsmouth, Virginia authorizes and directs the City Manager and his staff to complete the necessary application and submit all necessary forms and materials to apply for a grant to assist in removing the remaining severely deteriorated derelict buildings and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the $100,000 currently committed by the Department of Community Quality and Planning Services FY 2001 budget for "Weeds, Debris and Demolition" and the expenditure of more than $100,000 in the FY 2000 budget serve as the required match for the requested funds." Ayes: Benn, Griffin, Moody, Pitts, Robinett, Whitehurst Nays: None - New Business - 00 - 193 - Board and Commissions There were no appointments. 00 - 194 - Items Submitted by Council Members No items were submitted. 00 - 195 - Non-Agenda Speakers Motion by Mr. Moody, and seconded by Mr. Whitehurst, to waive the rules of order to allow Mr. Geduldig-Yatrofsky an additional two minutes to speak, and was defeated by a vote of 3-3. (Pitts, Benn, Griffin) 1. Mark Geduldig-Yatrofsky, 363 Middle Street, critiqued Council on their decision regarding River Pointe.