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January 13, 1981
<br />
<br /> On motion of Mrs. Webb and seconded by Mr. Beamer, the following ordinance was adopted
<br />on first and final reading, and by the following vote:
<br />
<br />"AN ORDINANCE TO AN[END THB CODE OF THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA, 1973, BY
<br />AMENDING ARTICLE III OF CHAPTER 16 THBREOF PERTAINING TO THE COMMUNITY MENTAL
<br />HBA%TH AND~MENTAL RETARDATION SERVICES BOARD."
<br />
<br />Ayes: Barnes, Beamer, Gray, 0ast, Webb, Whitlow, J0hansen
<br />Nays: None
<br />
<br /> 8~-12 , "Consideration Of an ordinance closing a portion of Waldron Avenue.
<br />
<br /> Gladys D. Harvey, ArthUr J, Steward and Laura Stunnette have made application to close
<br />a portion of Waldron Avenue. Viewers Were appointed pursuant to State law and a copy of thei
<br />report and map showing the portion of Waldron Avenue to be closed is attached for your
<br />information. The~Ci~y Manager recommends adoption."
<br />
<br /> Motion of Mr. Oast and seconded by Mr. Gray, the~ordinance to be deferred to January
<br />27, 1981, and was adopted by unanimous vote.
<br />
<br /> 81-13 - "Consideration of a motion to write-off $124,415.62 in uncollectible accounts
<br />for the City of Portsmouth.
<br />
<br /> This motion Will authorize accounts to be written-off as uncollectible for ambulance
<br />service, refuse accounts, rental inspections, and general accounts for the City of Portsmouth.
<br />A recap of the accounts by category is attached for your information. Many of the accounts
<br />listed on the attachment have been reduced by judgements or are being pursued through other
<br />legal means. The authorization for the write-off will in no way affect the City's ability
<br />to attempt to collect these accounts through legal means. The purpose of the authorization
<br />is only to clear the books from the standpoint of collection. The City Manager recommends
<br />adoption."
<br />
<br /> Motion of ~r. ©ast and seconded by Mr. Barnes, authorization be granted to write-off
<br />$!2~415~62~:in uncollectible accounts, as requested, and was adopted by unanimous vote.
<br />
<br /> 81-14 - "Consideration of a motion authorizing a refund of $2,853.60 with interest
<br />in personal property taxes collected in error.
<br />
<br /> This motion will authorize the refund of $2,853.60 to Avco (Giant Open Air) for taxes
<br />collected as personal property on the air conditioning equipment, which was also taxed as
<br />real estate. The City Manager recommends adoption.
<br />
<br /> Motion of Mr. Gray and seconded by Mrs. Webb, that authorization be granted to refund
<br />$2,853.60, with interest, to Avco (Giant Open Air); as requested, and was adopted by unanimou~
<br />vote.
<br />
<br />- NEW BUSINESS
<br />
<br /> 81-15 - Thelma V. P. Jones, 1333 Green Street, representing the Wesley Community
<br />Service Center, made the following presentation:
<br />
<br /> "My name is Thelma Jones and I am a member of and representing the Board of Direcqors
<br />of the Wesley Community Center. Our agency is a neighborhood service organization especially
<br />concerned with improving the quality of life in SouthSide Portsmouth.
<br />
<br /> Our Board of Directors would like to express i~s distress at the current housing crisis
<br />which exists in Portsmouth's Southside community related to the stoppage of Federal Community
<br />Development funds to this city. As you already are aware much renewal and clearance has take~
<br />place in Southside, but yet ar[ there still scattered homeowners and tenants who are sufferin~
<br />the tremendous impact of residing in sub-standard living conditions in a neighborhood which
<br />has been promised renewal for many years, trapped if you will by the legal arguments now takim
<br />place.
<br />
<br /> Our Board urges this Council to employ greater sensitivity to the remaining residents
<br />of Southside's redevelopment areas in the resolution of the current arguments. Especially,
<br />in view of the added impact caused by conditions of the weather, the economy and the politics
<br />of our city, state and nation."
<br />
<br /> After some discussion of Council, Mr. Barnes stated that he wanted to make it clear to
<br />everyone in Southside, under the. guidelines as he understood it, the funds for any additional
<br />housing in the city would have to go to unimpacted areas and Would not go to Southside.
<br />
<br /> Motion of Mr. Beamer and seconded by Mr. Gray, to suspend the rules for Mrs. Jones to
<br />speak again, and was adopted by unanimoms vote.
<br />
<br /> Mrs. Jones stated that they were aware of the situation with housing, c6ncerning the
<br />funds and how they are tied up, and they are concerned with the welfare of the people who
<br />are living in Southside. People in Southside are still waiting for somebody to recognize
<br />that there is life still there and an area that has been promised relocation.
<br />
<br /> 81-16 - Bxekiel I. Phyall, 2532 Staunton Avenue, spoke concerning a telephone call to
<br />one of the departments and to the Mayor's office.
<br />
<br />
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