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July 10, 1979
<br />
<br /> The present priority system has been consistently followed since its adoption by City
<br />Council in December, 1974~ Prior to 1974, there was not a systematic approach to the pro-
<br />vision of drainage and street improvements. Prior to 1974, the City spent approximately
<br />$250,000 a year on such projects.
<br />
<br /> Since 1974, expenditurem have totalled $1,000,000 to $1,500,000 of General Revenue-Sharin~
<br />annually, and the expenditures are programmed based on the priority system. In fact, since ths
<br />time the City of Portsmouth has expended a total of $12,500,000. This includes Revenue-Sharin
<br />funds as well as grants received from the Economic Development Administration and through the
<br />Community Development Block Grant Program.
<br />
<br /> At this time, authorization appears in the current Capital Improvement Program to begin
<br />construction on the first phase of drainage priority #5, Drainage Improvements to Midcity area.
<br />Construction funds also appear for street improvement priority ~7, a portion of the Truxton
<br />area. Design continues on projects further on the list.
<br />
<br /> Both the Citizens Advisory Committee and the Planning Commission h~ve heard citizen re-
<br />quests regarding the installation of curbs and gutter outside the purview of the priority syste
<br />Both the CAC and the Planning Commission have consistently supported following the city's
<br />drainage curbs and gutters priority system. Although these two bodies have in the past dis-
<br />cussed modifications to the system, they have been reluctant to recommend changes due to the
<br />lack of alternatives and due to the current engineering factors which are consistently applied.
<br />
<br /> When the system was first developed, as I noted earlier, the length of time a neighborhood
<br />was included in the City of Portsmouth was one of the criteria applied to the priority system.
<br />This was the only non-engineering criteria allowed in the development of the list of improve-
<br />ments. The reason for this criteria was to insure that older neighborhoods were given credit
<br />for length of time they had been within the boundaries of PortsmoUth. It is my recommendation
<br />that the present system be maintained, and that we continue with the priorities as they have
<br />been established in the 5 year Capital Improvements Program. Thus, we can be assured that an
<br />objective and sound method for these improvements is in effect, and that priorities will not
<br />be determined on grounds other than those appropriate to the physical improvements. We Will
<br />continue to seek as many sources of outside funding as possible."
<br />
<br /> Motion of Mr. Early and seconded by Mr. Oast, the report to be received as information,
<br />and was adopted by unanimous vote.
<br />
<br />The following reports from the City Manager were presented:
<br />
<br /> 79-251 - "Consideration of an ordinance on first reading to appropriate $584,000 from
<br />the Capital Improvements Fund for the construction of Mid-City Drainage Improvements -
<br />
<br /> Funds for this appropriation will be utilized for the construction of drainage improvement~
<br />under Phase I of the Mid-City Drainage Project, drainage priority #5. This project has been
<br />completely designed; however, due to the total estimated cost of the complete project it has
<br />been divided into phases and this ordinance appropriates funds for Phase I. Prior authorizatio~s
<br />for this project total $4D5,000 and there is $330,000 included in the 1979-80 Capital Improve-
<br />ments Program for this project. The total appropriation will be funded with General Revenue
<br />Sharing funds. The City Manager recommends adoption on first reading.
<br />
<br />Consideration of a motion to award bid to the lowest responsible bidder."
<br />
<br /> On motion of Mr. ~a~nes and seconded by Mr. Oast the following ordinance was approved
<br />on first reading, and by~unanmmous vote:
<br />
<br />"AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $584,000 FROM THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUND FOR
<br />CONSTRUCTION OF MID-CITY DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT PHASE I."
<br />
<br /> Motion of Mr Barnes and seconded by ~r. Early, the contractsffor construction to be
<br />awarded to Vico Construction Corp.; for concrete pipes to Lone Star Industries, Inc.; for
<br />aluminum pipes to Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Sales,Inc., being lowest responsible bidders,
<br />and was adopted by unanimous vote.
<br />
<br /> 79-252
<br />the Capital
<br />widening.
<br />
<br /> "Consideration of an ordinance on first reading to appropriate $10,000 from
<br />Improvements Fund for engineering and survey costs for the Twin Pines Road
<br />
<br /> This ordinance will provide the necessary funds for additional survey and engineering
<br />costs required for the proposed widening of Twin Pines Road from its intersection with
<br />Towne Point Road to the northern most boundary of the Peach Tree PUD. This appropriation
<br />is being required at this time in order that the plans and specifications can be completed
<br />for advertisement concurrent with the Virginia Department of Highways project on Towne Point
<br />Road and Poplar Hill Road. This project is included in the Capital Improvements Program
<br />for 1979-80. The City Manager recommends adoption on first reading."
<br />
<br /> On motion of Mr. Gray and seconded by Mr. Barnes, the following ordinance was approved
<br />on first reading, and by unanimous vote:
<br />
<br />"AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $10,000 FROM THE CAPITAl IMPROVEMENT FUND FOR
<br />ENGINEERING AND SURVEYING COSTS FOR THE WIDENING OF TWIN PINES ROAD."
<br />
<br />Ayes: Barnes, Beamer, Early, Gray, Holley, Oast, Davis
<br />Nays: None
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