|
Au?~t 1~= 19~5
<br />
<br /> "As you are probably aware, the United States Supreme Court has held that the Fair Labor
<br />Standards Act is applicable to local governments. The Act is complex and far-reaching, but
<br />its most important provision reguires the payment of overtime compensation to all municipal
<br />employees (except certain professional, administrative and executive classifications, which
<br />are exempt) who work more than a specified number of hours per pay period. While Portsmouth
<br />is already in compliance as regards most of our hourly employees, we will be required to make
<br />significant changes in computing salaries or scheduling work periods for fire and police
<br />personnel. Lesser changes will also be required in other City departments.
<br /> Complying with the Act will have a major financial impact on the annual operating budget
<br />Depending on how the compliance is achieved, an estimate of the additional cost could be over
<br />$1,000,000 per year. In addition, a considerable administrative burden will be imposed by
<br />the record keeping requirements which will result in substantial indirect costs.
<br /> While I am proceeding in preparations to comply with the Act, it would be preferable if
<br />local governments continued to be exempt from the Act. Not only would taxpayer dollars be
<br />saved, but traditional scheduling arrangements, which have often-~ worked well for both the
<br />City and employees, could be preserved. Towards this end, I recommend that you adopt the
<br />attached resolution, which urges the Congress to act to remove localities from coverage under
<br />the Fair Labor Standards Act. Should you have any questions, I will be glad to provide you
<br />with additional information."
<br />
<br /> Mary Lee Journee, 309 Thelmar Lane, requested that the resolution not be adopted.
<br /> Motion of Mr. Whitlow and seconded by Mrs. Webb to defer the matter for two weeks.
<br />
<br /> Substitute motion of Mrs. Lucas to deny the resolution died due to the lack of a
<br />seconded.
<br />
<br /> On motion the resolution to be deferred for two weeks (August 27, 1985, was adopted
<br />6-1 (Nay-Lucas) vote.
<br />
<br />by
<br />
<br /> 85-232 Letter from the City Manager recommending adoption of an ordinance to appropriat
<br />$620,000 from the Capital Improvements Fund for rehabilitation of Willett Hall.
<br />
<br /> "~he Portsmouth School Board at its June 27, 1985 meeting requested appropriation of
<br />$620,000 to complete the Phase I rehabilitation of Willett Hall. Re~ovations to be accomplish
<br />ed include new stage lighting and audio systems and upgrading of dressing rooms, the interior
<br />vestibule, lobby, projection room, and restrooms. When completed, Willett will be a superior
<br />facility not only for the school system, but also for the entire community. The facility can
<br />be used to attract first rate concert and theatrical productions of which the City can be prou
<br />The Superintendent of Schools and I believe that the City of Portsmouth can become another
<br />major site for nationally known entertainers and other professional productions for the region
<br />
<br />Bids were received as follows:
<br />
<br /> Hitt Electric ComFany $456,670
<br /> Northlanding Line Construction Company 474,800
<br /> Woodington Electric, Inc. 491,884
<br />
<br /> The School Board has requested the Council to appropriate sufficient funds to award the
<br />project to the low bidder. Contingencmes, equipment and ]inspections are estimated at
<br />$163,330 for a total appropriation of $620,000.
<br />
<br /> I should point out that this project is not ~uthorized in the current Capital Improvement
<br />Program, but is included in the 1985-86 CIP, which you are scheduled to adopt in October.
<br />However, sufficient bond authorization currently exists to fund this prof'ect, and therefore,
<br />I am recommending it at this time to avoid unnecessary delay. Also, it is desirable to make
<br />these improvements in conjunction with the emergency ceiling repairs which have already been
<br />approved for Willett Hall.
<br />
<br /> Attached is an ordinance prepared by the City Attorney which would appropriate the amount
<br />requested. I recomment you approve the appropriation 6f $620,000 for'this project."
<br />
<br /> OnMotion of-~r. Beamer and seconded by Mrs. Webb, the following ordinance was approved
<br />on first reading, and was adopted by unanimous vote:
<br />
<br /> "AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $620,000 FROM THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND TO
<br /> COMPLETE THE PHASE I REHABILITATION AND IMPROVEMENTS OF WILLETT AUDITORIUM."
<br />
<br /> 85-233 Letter from the City Manager recommending adoption of a motion to transfer
<br /> $9,663 from the Grants Contingency Account to fund the Clean Community Program for 1985-86.
<br /> "I have recently been notified by Miss Eloise Turtle that $8,163 from the Virginia
<br /> Division of Litter Control has been awarded to continue the Clean Community Program for 1985-
<br /> 86. She commended Council's action on 5/20/85 for endorsing the project and allowing the
<br /> Clean Community Commission and Mr. Noel, Executive Coordinator, to continue their outstanding
<br /> job in the control of litter and education of citizens as to the importance of controlling
<br /> "littering".
<br />
<br /> The grant funds will continue to support the Clean Community Office and provide assistan~
<br /> to community litter control projects. The grant represents 100% state funding and no local
<br /> match is required. At least $1,500 will be raised in donations and through ticket sales to
<br />
<br />
<br />
|