Minutes 01/03/2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

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January 3, 2018 WHEREAS , for the good of the Commonwealth and its citizens, it is necessary for the Commonwealth to study toll reform for these two tunnels, to include but be not limited to the identification of legal strategies to renegotiate the terms of the agreement entered into by and between the Commonwealth and ERC, and to identify fiscal strategies for the buydown or buyout of the ERC contract by the Commonwealth of Virginia, in order to limit and avoid the several economic hardships this agreement has imposed upon the citizens of the Cities of Portsmouth and Norfolk, and upon the economies of the Hampton Roads region and the Commonwealth of Virginia; and WHEREAS, bills have been introduced in previous sessions of the Virginia General Assembly which have not been approved, thus delaying reasonable consideration of strategies for toll reform; and WHEREAS , legislative support for a 2018 JLARC study, or such similar legislation as may be offered, is a priority for the economic future and for the quality of life for the citizens of the Cities of Portsmouth and Norfolk, for the Hampton Roads region, and for the Commonwealth as a whole. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia, that: 1. It respectfully requests each member of the Portsmouth delegation to the General Assembly to cosponsor legislation in the 2018 Session of the General Assembly for the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) to undertake a study in 2018 on toll reform strategies for the facilities owned by the Commonwealth of Virginia but operated and managed by ERC pursuant to the 2011 agreement between the Commonwealth and ERC, so as to evaluate and recommend legal strategies by which that contract may be renegotiated and modified to eliminate or mitigate the severe economic harm such contract has caused and will continue to cause to the citizens of the Cities of Portsmouth and Norfolk and to the economies of the Hampton Roads region and to the Commonwealth at large, and to identify fiscal strategies by which the Commonwealth may eliminate or mitigate the unduly burdensome costs of tolls for the use of the Downtown and Midtown tunnels. 2. It respectfully requests that the Portsmouth members of the House of Delegates refrain from supporting the election of any candidate for Speaker of the House of Delegates who does not actively support a study of toll reform for the agreement entered into by and between the Commonwealth and ERC, including but not limited to the approval of a 2018 JLARC study of the same. 3. This resolution shall be in effect upon its adoption.” Ayes: Lucas-Burke, Moody, Psimas, Whitaker, Rowe Nays: None 18 - 02 - Appointment of a candidate to the position of City Council due to the vacancy created by the resignation of Vice Mayor Paige D. Cherry. Motion by Ms. Psimas, and seconded by Mr. Moody, to appoint Ray A. Smith, Sr. to the Portsmouth City Council for a term beginning today, January 3, 2018 and ending December 31, 2018. As per the provisions of Portsmouth City Charter, Section 3.04 Mr. Smith will be filling the vacancy created by the resignation of former Vice Mayor Paige Cherry to become City Treasurer, and was adopted by the following vote: Ayes: Moody, Psimas, Rowe Nays: Lucas-Burke, Whitaker On motion, meeting adjourned at 12:05 p.m.