Minutes 05/26/2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

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May 26, 2020 organized crime), alcoholism, and gambling addiction. I for one feel that we have enough of such problems in our community already, and like many, I feel that our city is already at the breaking point and we need no other encouragement in this direction. Many of our citizens strongly feel that a casino adjacent to residential neighborhoods and in close proximity to our Tidewater Community College campus would be a virulent pestilence that will undermine neighborhood civility, property values and is not conducive to academic learning. This sentiment is already expressed by the legislature in its legal prohibition of ABC stores locating in proximity to public schools. Are not casinos in the business of gambling and selling lacquer in the same category, no matter how you widow dress them? Approving this resolution is like the Armada Hoffler - City Hall project. It is "putting the cart before the horse", in an attempt to constrain the public into a situation from which they may feel they cannot escape. This is what happened with the Midtown Tunnel tolls, would have happened with the Armada Hoffler - City Hall project and certainly should not happen in this instance in a similar manner. The State Legislature has passed a bill that permits five cities to opt to build a casino on contingencies and based on approval of their peoples by referendum. This resolution is premature. It should only come after the citizens have had an opportunity to vote for their consent or rejection of a casino in Portsmouth. Authorization to build a casino can only be made by the will of the people in accordance with the law. And since no referendum has been voted on by the people this matter should be rejected as untimely. This resolution should be viewed as an effort to channel the will of the people in the direction that the Council is on, prior to the upcoming election. This matter should not be ramrodded through to satisfy the desires or interests of any member(s) of this Council, or those of any special interests, or parties not on the Council. The City should do nothing that would shackle feet of the people to the floorboards of a vessel caught up in a tempest with dark clouds on all sides and water coming in over the gunnels. Vote No 4) I encourage all members of the Council to on this resolution. It is untimely and out of phase with the legislation recently passed in Richmond and constrains and confuses the will of the people, and disregards their yet unheard voice. To do otherwise is to disrespect the Citizens of the City and their rights under the law. This matter should be tabled until a referendum has been held and its results tabulated and formally announced to the public. Cliff Page 465 Primrose Street 2) I write to urge rejection of Resolution 20-137, which would designate Rush Street Gaming, LLC, and its affiliate, Portsmouth Gaming Holdings, LLC, as the preferred casino gaming operator for the City of Portsmouth. My objections to its adoption include: the City of Portsmouth has expended tax dollars to advance the cause of casino gambling at the Virginia General Assembly without public consent; the designation of the gaming operator is the result of a single-bid procurement rather an open and competitive process; that designation involved no public hearings, either before the Economic Development Authority or the Portsmouth City Council; the resolution before you is an item "Submitted by Council Members" rather than the subject of a public hearing; the designated "preferred casino gaming operator" has previously announced that its interest in developing the Victory site is limited to the gaming operation and not the other entertainment uses contemplated; the consideration of this item in this manner does not adhere to the guidance provided by the Attorney General of Virginia in the Sullivan Opinion regarding the types of issues appropriate for a virtual meeting; the constraints of the virtual meeting format impede the ability of citizens to participate in council deliberations as fully as in a normal meeting; and the Portsmouth citizenry have not consented by means of a referendum to hosting a casino gaming facility in our city. Please let me know if you need additional information.