Minutes 02/24/1981 - Laserfiche WebLink

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223 Feb. ruar¥ 24~ 1981 Resolution - "WHEREAS, the 1980-81 School Board Operating Budget was funded by the City Council at $32,820,100; and WHEREAS, the then Chairman Gloria O. Webb and Superintendent M. E. Alford, at the PUblic Hearing on the City Budget on April 22, 1980, informed Council regarding the underfunding of ~ projected energy costs; and WHEREAS, the initial underfunding was estimated to be approximately $780,000; and WHEREAS, the School Board by resolution informed City Council in May of the impending energy deficit; and WHEREAS, this amount has been reduced to approximately $408,000 by frugal management and prudent economies. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the School Board of the City of Portsmouth requests City Council to establish a contingency fund for the payment of energy bills submitted by the School Board after the depletion of current energy line item amounts, including appropriate transfer of any monies which are surplus in other line itsms; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the School Board of the City of Portsmouth will continue efforts that will reduce further the aforementioned figure with the understanding that the Board controls neither the level of degree heating days nor the deregulated wholesale price of fuel." Motion of Mr. Oast and seconded by Mrs. Webb, the resolution be referred to the City Manager for consideration and a report be furnished, and was adopted by unanimous vote. 81-72 On motion of Mr. Whitlow and seconded by Mr. Gray, the following resolution was adopted, and by the following vote: "A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND CITY ATTORNEY TO DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATE ACTION NECESSARY TO INSURE THE ~EVELOPMENT OF THE 623 ACRE SITE OWNED BY TRAILS END LAND COMPANY IN A MANNER COMPATIBLE WITH DEVELOPMENT OF SAID SITE BY PRIVATE ENTERPRISE AND TO THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY OF PORTS- MOUTH AND ITS RESIDENTS; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER AND THE CITY ATTORNEY TO CONSULT IMMEDIATELY WITH THE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA AND THE VIRGINIA PORT AUTHORITY IN REGARDS TO PROPOSALS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SAID PROPERTY INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, REVENUES TO BE DERIVED BY THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH AND REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF PLANS FOR SAID DEVELOPMENT INCLUDING RAIL ACCESS THEREOF; REQUESTING THE PORTSMOUTH DELEGATION TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA TO OFFER AMENDMENTS TO LEGISLATION PROPOSED BY THE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA IN REGARDS TO SAID PROPERTY. WHEREAS, the Council of the City of Portsmouth has consistently supported development of property within the City of Portsmouth by private enterprise as a method of expanding the tax base of the City and the betterment of services to its citizens, and hereby reaffirms its support for the development of the 623 acre site owned by Trails End Land Company in a similar manner; and WHEREAS, development of an oil refinery site on the subject property as originally proposed would have generated estimated revenue for the City of Portsmouth in excess of Ten Million ($10,OOO,OOO) Dollars per year without undue interference with the activities of the citizens of the City; and WHEREAS, in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the land of the City of Portsmouth is nontaxable either as real estate or personal property primarily by reason of ownership thereof by Federal or State government agencies; and WHEREAS, the said property represents the last remaining site of substantial size which the City of Portsmouth can offer for expansion of its tax base to the relief of its private homeowners and residents; and WHEREAS, the previous plans for a coal exporting facility called for a twenty million ton capacity and occupation of a parcel of approximately 200 acres on this site; and WHEREAS, full tax equivalency for this site is crucial for the economic future of the City of Portsmouth; and WHEREAS, the Governor of Virginia has proposed legislation which will be considered at a special session of the General Assembly of F]rginia in April, 1981, which legislation would empower the Virginia Port Authority to acquire property located in the City of Portsmouth by eminent domain proceedings for the purpose of constructing and operating a coal exporting facility, and port related facilities; and WHEREAS, said proposed legislation provides only for the payment of a sum equivalent to the amount lawfully assessed as real property tax if the property were privately owned; and WHEREAS, said proposed legislation does not provide for an orderly development of rail access to the subject property in conjunction with traffic control requirements and the environmental quality of life of the City of Portsmouth; and