Minutes 01/27/1987 - Laserfiche WebLink

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January 27, 1987 "Mr. Carl Lundquist has made application to close a portion of ten foot alley east of Peninsula Avenue between Barton Street and ~ratley Street. The viewers report and the Planning Commission Doth recommend approval of this application. Because consideration with the Civic League is presently under- way with another application in this area, I recommend deferral of this matter until February 10, 1987." Motion of Mrs. Lucas and seconded by Mr. Gray, that the matter )e deferred to the meeting of February 10, 198-, as requested, and was adopted by unanimous vote. 87-31 - Letter from the City Manager recommending adoption of an ordinance to amend Article VII of Chapter 35 of the City Code by adding Section 35-116.1 pertaining to Utility Services Tax. "The Utility Services Tax imposed by the City of Portsmouth in .ccordance with Article VII of Chapter 35 of the City Code is levie~ the City upon each purchaser of a utility service and the amount of tax due is based upon a percentage of the firstS2,000 of any charge made or incurred during any monthly period for the utility in questinn. A question has arisen pertaining to the manner in whic~ the amount of the charge is computed where mcre than one meter is tsed to serve a purchase as that te~m is defined by the Code. The City ~ttorney, after consultation with the Commissioner f Revenue, has recommended that an ordinance be adopted clarifying that the intent of the section is to impose and levy the tax on charges based upon the amount being billed by the utility as an individual service. The utilities bill for such services is based upon individuslized reading of meters and, therefore, the language recommended to be adoFted establishes that the tax will be computed pect to each meter as opposed to each purchaser where more than one meter is being used. This change Will clarify the intent of our Code and is the procedure that is used in our neighboring cities. The Commissioner of Revenue has discussed this matter with representatives of Virginia Power and Commonwealth Gas and that bot] of those Utilities are in agreement with the proposed change. I, ~herefore, recommend adoption of the ordinance which has been pre- ~ared by the City Attorney. See motion below Louis Brenner, Attorney, 330 Virginia Federal Building, repre- senting Western Branch Diesel, Inc., spoke in opFosition of the code amendment. Edgar S. Everhart, 3400 Shipwright Street, representing ~sseciated Naval Architects, Inc., opposed the code amendment. Motion granted by unanimous vote. Motion of Mrs. Webb and seconded matter be deferred to the meeting of adopted by unanimous vote. of Mrs. Webb and seconded by Mr. Gray, Mr. Louis Brenne] an additional 5 minutes, as requested, and was adopted by Mr. Simpson, that the February 10, 1987, and was 87-32 Letter from the City Manager recommending adoption of a resolution expressing the Council's support for the relocazion of the existing railroad line to the median of the Western Freeway and requesting the General Assembly of Virginia to take such steps as may be necessary to assure the initiation and completion of the relocation project.