Minutes 01/23/2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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January 23, 2024 Ayes: Barnes, Hugel, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Tillage, Whitaker, Glover Nays: None - New Business - 24 - 19 - Boards and Commissions  There were no appointments. 24 - 20 - Items Submitted by Council Members  Adoption of a resolution opposing acquisition of the Virginia International Gateway property by the Port of Virginia. Motion by Ms. Lucas-Burke, and seconded by Mr. Tillage, to adopt the following resolution, and was adopted by the following vote: “RESOLUTION OPPOSING ACQUISITION OF THE VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL GATEWAY PROPERTY BY THE PORT OF VIRGINIA. WHEREAS , Virginia International Gateway (VIG) is one of the largest and most valuable port facilities in Virginia; and WHEREAS, VIG is owned by a private, tax-paying entity and leased to the Port of Virginia; and WHEREAS, Portsmouth receives property tax revenue of approximately Nine Million Dollars per year from VIG; and WHEREAS, the Port of Virginia is considering buying out the private owner and taking full ownership of VIG; and WHEREAS, the Port of Virginia is a government entity exempt from payment of property taxes; and WHEREAS , Portsmouth’s current Fiscal Stress rating is “High” because approximately 40% of the land in the city is non-taxable, primarily due to the presence of state and federal installations; and WHEREAS, Nine Million Dollars in tax revenue is equivalent to nine cents on the Portsmouth tax rate, and the annual loss of Nine Million Dollars (and even more with future inflation) would cause long-term economic devastation for the city and its residents; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia, that the City must vehemently oppose the acquisition of VIG by the Port of Virginia.” Ayes: Barnes, Hugel, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Tillage, Whitaker, Glover Nays: None  Adoption of an ordinance authorizing the reimbursement of certain legal fees and expenses for Officer Vincent McClean pursuant to Section 15.2-1711 of the Virginia Code. Motion by Mr. Moody, and seconded by Mr. Hugel, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: “ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE REIMBURSEMENT OF CERTAIN LEGAL FEES AND EXPENSES FOR OFFICER VINCENT MCCLEAN PURSUANT TO SECTION 15.2- 1711 OF THE VIRGINIA CODE.”