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January 10, 2017
<br />
<br />Staff Recommendation:
<br />
<br /> Approve a resolution supporting any legislative actions to establish casino or
<br />riverboat gaming in the commonwealth and to use the tax proceeds for toll mitigation and
<br />for the benefit of the host cities. Vision Principles: Innovation and Change, A Robust and
<br />Prosperous Economy, Leading Maritime Community, Lifelong Learning Community,
<br />Sustainable Neighborhoods, Enhanced Quality of Life, Efficient Service Delivery, Proud
<br />Military History, Pride of Past, and Core Values.
<br />
<br />1. Donna Sayegh, 3104 Garland Drive, spoke in opposition to this item.
<br />
<br />2. Mark Geduldig-Yatrofsky, P. O. Box 50141, spoke in opposition to this item.
<br />
<br />Motion by Ms. Lucas-Burke, and seconded by Ms. Psimas, to adopt the following
<br />resolution, and was adopted by the following vote:
<br />
<br />“RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF BILLS PRESENTED TO THE 2017 VIRGINIA
<br />GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO PERMIT CASINO AND/OR RIVERBOAT GAMING IN THE
<br />COMMONWEALTH AND TO DIRECT THE PAYMENT OF CERTAIN TAX PROCEEDS
<br />FROM GAMING FOR TOLL MITIGATION AND FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE HOST
<br />LOCALITIES.
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS,
<br />since 2014 Elizabeth River Tunnels (ERT) has imposed tolls on the
<br />Downtown and Midtown Tunnels which have created a substantial burden on Portsmouth
<br />residents, commuters and businesses; and
<br />
<br />WHEREAS,
<br /> in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 the Virginia General Assembly received
<br />bills to permit casino and/or riverboat gaming in the Commonwealth and to direct that
<br />certain tax proceeds from gaming be paid for toll mitigation and for the benefit of the host
<br />localities; and
<br />
<br /> WHEREAS,
<br />on December 28, 2013 Portsmouth City Council adopted Resolution
<br />R-13-61 expressing its support of casino gaming and toll mitigation legislation; and
<br />
<br />WHEREAS,
<br /> similar legislation is before the 2017 Virginia General Assembly for
<br />consideration, and the Portsmouth City Council desires to express its support for such
<br />legislation;
<br />
<br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
<br /> by the City Council of the City of
<br />Portsmouth, Virginia, that it supports and endorses any state legislative efforts to adopt
<br />legislation permitting casino and/or riverboat gaming in the Commonwealth of Virginia
<br />and directing the payment of certain tax proceeds from gaming for toll mitigation and for
<br />the benefit of the host localities, to include the City of Portsmouth, Virginia; and
<br />
<br />BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED
<br /> , that the City Manager is directed to forward a copy
<br />”
<br />of this Resolution to the members of the Portsmouth General Assembly delegation.
<br />
<br />Ayes: Cherry, Clark, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Psimas, Rowe
<br />Nays: Whitaker
<br />
<br />17 - 30 - Adoption of a resolution requesting the General Assembly of Virginia to
<br />defer consideration of proposed legislation which would amend the Portsmouth
<br />City Charter to eliminate the Civil Service Commission.
<br />Vision Principles:
<br />Innovation and Change, A Robust and Prosperous Economy, Leading Maritime
<br />Community, Lifelong Learning Community, Sustainable Neighborhoods, Enhanced
<br />Quality of Life, Efficient Service Delivery, Proud Military History, Pride of Past, and
<br />
<br />Core Values.
<br />
<br />Background:
<br />
<br /> The Portsmouth City Council held a public hearing on October 25, 2016 regarding
<br />a request for the 2017 General Assembly to amend the city’s Charter by dissolving the
<br />
<br />city’s Civil Service Commission.
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