Minutes 12/11/2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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December 11, 2012 Financial Impact: • There is no financial impact. Recommended Action: • I recommend that City Council adopt the attached resolution. Vision Principle: Efficient, Responsive Government. Next Steps Following Council Action: • The resolution will be sent to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Motion by Mr. Heretick, and seconded by Mr. Edmonds, to adopt the following resolution, and was adopted by the following vote: "RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT RETAIN THE CURRENT BOUNDARIES OF THE HAMPTON ROADS PLANNING DISTRICT COMMISSION. WHEREAS, as required by Section 36-139.7 of the Code of Virginia, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development is conducting a periodic review of the boundaries of the planning district commissions; and WHEREAS, as part of this process, the member governmental subdivisions of the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission (HRPDC) must express by resolution their approval of the current boundaries and their continued membership in the HRPDC; and WHEREAS, the City of Portsmouth supports the current boundaries of the HRPDC and Portsmouth's continued membership in the organization. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia that it hereby expresses it support and approval of the current boundaries of HRPDC and of the City's continued membership in the Commission." Ayes: Edmonds, Heretick, Moody, Randall, Whitehurst, Wright Nays: None 12 - 492 -Adoption of a resolution designating honorary street names for the Blue Caps, Tommy Facenda, and Peppy Owens and The Lighthouse and requesting the Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority to rename a certain parcel of land "Gene Vincent Park." Vision Principle: Pride of Past. Background: • Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps, including band member Tommy Facenda, were one of the most important bands in the early days of rock `n roll. Vincent and the band have both been admitted to the Rock `n Roll Hall of Fame, and Facenda also had a distinguished solo career, with a #1 national hit. They were a Portsmouth band, made up largely of young musicians from several Portsmouth neighborhoods. Portsmouth resident Peppy Owens founded and operated The Lighthouse, a racially integrated music venue during the time of segregation, and this venue brought many famous musicians to Portsmouth. The Lighthouse also played a significant role in the early days of rock `n roll, and it was very important to the lives of many young people in Portsmouth. This resolution will establish honorary street and park names for Gene Vincent, the Blue Caps, Tommy Facenda, and Peppy Owens-The Lighthouse. Discussion: • The honorary street and park names will be in the same area as a street already named for another Portsmouth musical legend, Bill Deal. • Because the legal street names will remain the same, there will be no change of address for anyone on the streets in question. The original street signs will remain in place, and the new honorary name signs will simply be added to them. • The general location is where the "Portside" musical activities took place for many years.