Minutes 08/12/1980 - Laserfiche WebLink

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August 12, 1980 Based on the above preparation, the Federation makes the following proposals: 1. That the Council accept the City Manager's recommendation of monitoring the new system for one year. 2. That the City Council establish a Consumer Protection Board made up of volunteers fro~ the City who would work with the city staff in monitoring the new system for one year Such Board would also make every effort to educate the public about home improvements i.e. familiarization of state and city codes for building improvements how to deter- mine reputable firms, the how's and why's of building permits, how and where to make official complaints, methods of court action, and reports on effectiveness of new law If at the end of one year, the state law resolves the current problem, the board could continue as needed on similar or other consumer problems. If, on the other hand, the law is not adequate to our citizens' needs, the Federation will again request a performance bond, insurance or payments in escrow to ensure that home improvement operators do not take a custom~ money without performing the work as expected. The list of our member clubs includes: Academy Park Concerned Citizens Cavalier Forest Civic League Central Mid-City Civic League Churchland Jaycees Cradock Property Owners Friends of the Library Greenwood Garden Club Portsmouth Business and Women Portsmouth Jaycees Richard Dale Woman's Club Junior Woman's Club of Portsmouth Kiwanis Club of Portsmouth Merrimac Point Civic League Officers~ Wives of NRMC Assoc. Port Norfolk Civic League Portsmouth Amateur Radio Club Portsmouth Branch AAUW Professional Simonsdale Civic League Woman's Club of Churchland Woman's Club of Cradock Woman's Club of Portsmouth We urge your early, thoughtful decision to our request. Signed by Gail B. Kettlewell, President Portsmouth Federation of Civic Clubs" Motion of Mrs. Webb and seconded by Mr. Gray, to concur with the City Manager's recommen- dation to monitor the new system for one year, and was adopted by unanimous vote. MO~ion of Mr. Gray and seconded by Mrs. establishing a Consumer Protection Board as was adopted by unanimous vote. Webb, that the City Attorney prepare an ordinance suggested by the Federation of Civic Clubs] and rhe following reports from the City Manager were presented: 80-273 the Capital Center). "Consideration of an ordinance on first reading to appropriate Improvements Fund for Phase II of the 1846 Courthouse renovation ~270,000 from (Community Arts The City has advertised and received bids for construction of Phase II of the renovations to the 1846 Courthouse preparatory to conversion to the Community Arts Center. Phase II is applicable to the exterior of the building and was authorized in previous Capital Improvements Programs as local matching funds supplied by the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission. Prior authorization for the project totals $358,000. There is included in the $270,000 curren appropriation Federal Grant money in the amount of $94,135. The estimated time for completion of the construction contract is 180 days which should allow enough time for the exterior work to almost be completed prior to the landscaping by the Garden Club of Virginia next Spring. The City Manager recommends adoption on first reading. Consideration of a motion to award bid to the lowest responsible bidder." On motion of Mr. Oast and seconded by Mr. Gray, the following ordinance was approved on first reading, and by unanimous vote: "AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $270,000 FROM THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND FOR PHASE II OF THE 1846 COURTHOUSE RENOVATION (COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER)." Motion o.f Mr. Barnes and seconded by Mrs. Webb, the contract be awarded to W. B. Meredith Inc., being the lowest responsible bidder, and was adopted by unanimous vote. 80-274 the Capital Street. "Cousideratxon of an ordinance on first reading to appropriate $10,000 from Improvements Fund for design of street improvement~ to Douglas Park and Choate This appropriation will provide $10,000 of the requested $18,000 needed for the completio of the survey, drafting and design of street ~mprovements to Douglas Park and Choate Street. The City has previously authorized $10,000 for preliminary design and surveying; however, an additien~L~$~,~0,0..':i.s~r~lred to~c~et~-,.f~n, ai;~.~e~ign and drafting of specifications prepara' to biddlng'~'~g ~a'ia~e' b~'~'~he f~ ~eq~i~ed f3~'this project ($5,000) will be addressed in the next item. Th~ City Manager recommends adoption on first reading." On motion of Mr. Beamer and seconded by Mr. Gray, the following ordinance was approved on first reading, and by unanimous vote: "AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $10,00( FROM THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND FOR DESIGN OF STREET IMPROVEMENTS TO DOUGLAS PARK AND CHOATE STREET." r's :ory