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<br />
<br />April 28, 1981
<br />
<br /> The regular City Council meeting was held on Tuesday, April 28, 1981 at 7:30 p.m. in
<br /> the T. A. Willett Auditorium of the Woodrow Wilson High School, with the following present:
<br />
<br /> J. E. Johansen, Jack P. Barnes, Ben A. Beamer, Sr., J. Robert Gray, Edward L.
<br /> Oast, Jr., Gloria O. Webb, Morton V. Whitlow, G. Robert House, Jr., City Manager,
<br /> Steven Lieberman, City Attorney.
<br />
<br /> Rev. Larry Schmidt, P'astor of the Redeemer Lutheran Church, opened the meeting-with
<br />prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
<br />
<br /> Mayor Johansen welcomed all visitors in attendance.
<br />
<br /> Motian of Mrs. Webb and seconded by Mr. Beamer, minutes of the called meetings of April
<br />9, 1981 and April 13, 1981; minutes of the Public Hearing of April 13, 1981; minutes of the
<br />regular meeting of April 14, 1981; and minutes of a special meeting of April 22, 1981, to
<br />be approved as received, and was adopted by unanimous vote.
<br />
<br /> 81-148 Public Hearing on the City's Operating Budget, General Revenue Sharing Budget
<br />and levying proposed tax rate ancrease for Fiscal Year ending June 30, 1982, was held:
<br />
<br /> Mrs. Mary Shanks, President, Federation of Civic Clubs, Portsmouth Virginia made the
<br />following presentation: ' '
<br />
<br /> "The Federation of Civic Clubs of the City of Portsmouth comprised of 32 member organi-
<br />zations representing in excess of 1S00 concerned citizens wishes to express publicly our
<br />confidence in our Mayor and members of the City Council as they discharge their duties ~n the
<br />best interest of the City and all of its residents. We trust that our report and the 200 plu~
<br />hours spend on its compilation will be beneficial to you.
<br />
<br /> We offer the following resolution to the City Council ~n order to unify the residents
<br />or-Portsmouth and its city government, to reduce the friction that appears to be increasing,
<br />and to effect cost reduction within our city government structure to maintain a restraint on
<br />tax growth.
<br />
<br /> NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Federation of Civic Clubs of Portsmouth:
<br />
<br /> (1) That the Federation is opposed to the increase in the Portsmouth ~eal ~state
<br /> tax.
<br /> (2) That the attached report with its recommendations be accepted and implemented with
<br /> all possible dispatch.
<br /> (3) That the City establish a Study Commission in accordance with recommendation one
<br /> (1) of the attached report.
<br /> (4) That a minimum of one (1) Federation member be app6inted to the proposed Study
<br /> Commission, and that the?Federation offer its entire capability to the City Council
<br /> for the implementation of the attached report.
<br /> (5) That consideration be given to the retention of the Jamestown Avenue Fire Station.
<br />
<br /> The Federation is fully aware of the financial 4i~lemmaof our city and we wish to express
<br />our concern publicly; also, to offer our help in any way that the Counsil may deem necessary.
<br />
<br /> It is requested that the City Council review the attached
<br />evaluation at the earliest possible date."
<br />
<br />report and respond with their
<br />
<br />Mrs. Zelma Rivin, ~0~WaM~iBgtbniSt.:, presented the following statement:
<br />"%)will address the budget as it affects our schools.
<br />
<br /> I am very well aware of the state of the City its assets and its liabilities itss
<br />fiscal problems its minimum tax base its many needs the demands for services and
<br />protectJon.
<br />
<br /> I believe our most critical problem at this moment is the frustratinn, the disappointment
<br /> our citizens feel because of our inability to proceed vigorously with plans for economic
<br /> growth and rehabilitation in many parts of the city. Believe me, I know first hand how our
<br /> citizens feel abo~ drainage, sewers, gutters, human services, housing, and social programs.
<br /> They are tired and they are weary of waiting and of asking.
<br />
<br /> We also have some notable assets not the least of which is citizen concern, awareness,
<br /> and participation. We are blessed with people of intelligence and with skills people such
<br /> ag yourselves who give endless time anR energy. These people believe in Portsmouth. They
<br /> convinced that Portsmouth, which is geographically central in our region, has the potential
<br /> to become the hub the gem of our region.
<br />
<br /> I believe that our most important asset is our school system. Over the years we have
<br />been able to attract and retain superb teachers and administrators - given our inability to
<br />compete salary wise. Despite these salary limiIations and declining enrollment, our staff
<br />has been patient and cooperative. The record and performance of our school system is recog-
<br />nized statewide. Many of its innovative programs have been imitated in neighboring systems.
<br />~hen we review the percentage of our graduates who seek higher education when we look at the
<br />scores our. students receive on competency tests, the Portsmouth Public Schools are peerless.
<br />
<br /> I believe that if we allow a crack in that solid wall of success, we will relinquish our
<br />position as a first class city. We will crumble.
<br />
<br />Nothing, absolutely nothing eqaals the importance of a quality school system. When
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