Minutes 03/25/2019 - Laserfiche WebLink

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March 25, 2019 At a Called Meeting of the City Council on Monday, March 25, 2019, there were present: Mayor John L. Rowe, Jr., Vice Mayor Lisa L. Lucas-Burke, William E. Moody, Jr., Elizabeth M. Psimas, Nathan J. Clark, Paul J. Battle, Shannon E. Glover, City Manager Dr. L. Pettis Patton, City Attorney Solomon H. Ashby, Jr. 19 - 106 - The following call for the meeting was read: "Please attend a Called Meeting of the City Council to be in the City Council Chamber, 801 Crawford Street, 5:00 p.m., Monday, March 25, 2019 for the purpose of the presentation of the proposed Operating and Capital Improvement Plan Budgets. In addition, you may consider a motion to go into a Closed Meeting. By order of the Mayor." 19 - 107 - The following item was discussed in Public Work Session: 1. Presentation of Proposed Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Plan by Dr. L. Pettis Patton, City Manager Opening Statement: The Honorable Mayor John L. Rowe, Jr., Vice Mayor Lisa Lucas-Burke, Members of City Council, City Employees, and Citizens of Portsmouth, Virginia: In accordance with the General Finance Officer Association (GFOA), “The budget is a guide that determines the direction of Government. It is arguably the single most important document routinely prepared by governments.” One hundred years ago in 1920, in the city of Portsmouth, City Manager James Postell “J.P.” Jervey stated our “future must be visualized and the progress and prosperity of the City as a whole must be the governing principle, rather than the present advantage and convenience of the few… This goal can only be obtained by mutual concessions and good faith.” More than ever, 100 years later in 2019, as City Manager, I must make difficult choices while effectively managing city dollars to provide basic services. Faced with slow to no economic growth for the city deeply affects the many fiscal challenges we faced in the development of this budget, and it required sacrifices and prioritization of services to continue to build the strong foundation needed for Portsmouth’s future. We have continued to take the difficult but necessary steps to sustain the momentum in building a foundation for the future through financial transparency, accountability, and practical decisions to improve the city’s financial position as we look to the future. Blueprints for Success During City Council’s Retreat on February 1 - 2, 2019, City Council reaffirmed their vision statement that serves as a promise and roadmap to the citizens. It defines the direction for growth, the path we should take, with a vision towards the future. The reaffirmed vision statement builds a more prosperous city; fosters lifelong learning; and values a safe and friendly city. In the development of the FY 2020 Proposed Budget process, we remained steadfast to the guiding principles outlined in my Oath of Office speech on August 28, 2015: To create a bright and prosperous future redefined by collaboration, unification, and rededication through citizen and community engagement. The New Portsmouth where city employees work tirelessly to make the best decisions necessary to achieve our city’s vision and move in a forward direction characterized by methodical deliberation and expediency.