NORFOLK, VIRGINIA

 

ACTION OF THE COUNCIL

 

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2007 – 7:00 P.M.

 

 Prayer offered by Reverend Michael Blakenship, Pastor, Norfolk Apostolic Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

President Fraim moved to dispense with the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting.

 

                   Motion adopted.

 

Yes:   Burfoot, Hester, Riddick, Whibley, Williams, Winn, Wright and Fraim.

 

                   No:    None.

 

CEREMONIAL MATTER

 

              Shurl Montgomery, NRHA Director and Karen Scherberger, Festevents Director, presented the American Sail Training Association Award to Council that was awarded to them for Sail Virginia.

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

PH-1                                                   PUBLIC HEARING scheduled this day pursuant to action of the Council on November 20, 2007, under the State law, public notice having been inserted in the local press by the City to hear comments on the issuance of General Obligation Refunding Bonds.

 

No one was present to speak concerning this matter.

 

Thereupon, an Ordinance entitled, “An Ordinance authorizing the issuance and sale by the City of Norfolk, Virginia of up to $34,000,000 in General Obligation Refunding Bonds,” was introduced in writing and read by its title.

 

ACTION:   The Ordinance as introduced was adopted, effective December 4, 2007.

 

Yes:     Burfoot, Hester, Riddick, Whibley, Williams, Winn, Wright and Fraim.

 

                   No:    None.

.

 

PH-2                                                   PUBLIC HEARING scheduled this day under the State law, public notice having been inserted in the local press by the City Clerk to hear comments on a certain Charter Change.

 

Thereupon, a Resolution entitled, “A Resolution supporting an amendment to the Charter SO AS TO include in the unclassified service city employees permanently assigned to work for and under the supervision of the City’s Constitutional Officers and Circuit Court Judges,” was introduced in writing and read by its title.

 

ACTION:   The Resolution as introduced was adopted, effective December 4, 2007.

 

Yes:     Burfoot, Hester, Riddick, Whibley, Williams, Winn, Wright and Fraim.

 

                   No:    None.

 

PH-3                                                   PUBLIC HEARING scheduled this day under the State law, public notice having been inserted in the local press by the City Clerk to hear comments on the inspection of rental dwelling units within designated rental districts—Denby Park, Olde Huntersville and Pleasant Avenue area of East Ocean View as Project Focus Areas.

 

                   Dr. Linda Horsey, 912 Washington Avenue, asked Council to inspect all rental properties involved under Project Focus.  Abdul Asward, 2636 Ballentine Blvd, spoke in support of this matter.  Daniel Montague, 4605 Krick Street, asked Council what rental properties are involved?  Delmus Davis, 1329 Stringfellow Court, Virginia Beach, asked Council what are the guidelines or codes for inspecting these properties.  Beverly Sexton, 348 El Passo Avenue, said that more information should have been provided for this application.

                  

Thereupon, an Ordinance entitled, “An Ordinance to amend and reordain the Norfolk City Code, 1979, SO AS TO add one new Chapter 36.1 regarding Residential Rental Dwelling Unit Inspection Districts,” was introduced in writing and read by its title.

ACTION:   The Ordinance as introduced was adopted, effective December 4, 2007.

 

Yes:     Burfoot, Hester, Riddick, Whibley, Williams, Winn, Wright and Fraim.

 

                   No:    None.

           

 

             

CONSENT AGENDA

 

ALL MATTERS LISTED UNDER THE CONSENT AGENDA ARE CONSIDERED TO BE ROUTINE BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND WILL BE ENACTED BY ONE MOTION IN THE FORM LISTED.  THERE WILL BE NO SEPARATE DISCUSSION OF THESE ITEMS. IF DISCUSSION IS DESIRED, THAT ITEM WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA AND CONSIDERED SEPARATELY.

 

 

C-1                                 Letter from the City Clerk transmitting an Abstract of Votes cast in the City of Norfolk at the General Election on November 6, 2007 pursuant to Section 24.2.675 of the Code of Virginia.

 

ACTION:   Received and filed.

 

Yes:     Burfoot, Hester, Riddick, Whibley, Williams, Winn, Wright and Fraim.

 

                   No:    None.

           

REGULAR AGENDA

                  

R-1                                 Letter from the City Manager and an Ordinance entitled, “An Ordinance approving the acceptance of a Drug Treatment Court Grant Award of $182,500 from the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia for probation supervision and substance abuse treatment services for the Norfolk Circuit Court Adult Drug Court Program and of program fees of up to $25,000, appropriating and authorizing the expenditure of the grant award and program fees and authorizing the expenditure of $78,750 from previously appropriated funds as a local cash match,” was introduced in writing and read by its title.

 

Dawn Obliskey, Norfolk Drug Court, was present to answer questions.

 

ACTION:   The Ordinance as introduced was adopted, effective December 4, 2007.

 

Yes:     Burfoot, Hester, Riddick, Whibley, Williams, Winn, Wright and Fraim.

 

                   No:    None.

 

 

R-2                                 Letter from the City Manager and a Resolution entitled, “A Resolution approving the exercise by the Norfolk Airport Authority of powers conferred by Chapter 34, Acts of Assembly of 1918, Chapter 463, Acts of the Assembly of 1948, as amended, and Section 144 of the Norfolk Charter, as amended, in conjunction with the issuance for Habitat for Humanity of South Hampton Roads, Inc., formerly known as South Hampton Roads Habitat for Humanity, Inc. of not to exceed $1,600,000 of the Authority’s revenue bonds in order to assist with (a) refinancing the outstanding principal balance of an existing $1,395,000.00 bridge loan that financed the acquisition of an office and warehouse facility at 900 Tidewater Drive in the City of Norfolk; (b) reimbursing the cost of acquiring the facility; (c) renovating, constructing and equipping approximately 10,000 square feet of the facility; and (d) financing the costs of issuing the bonds,” was introduced in writing and read by its title.

 

ACTION:   The Resolution as introduced was adopted, effective December 4, 2007.

 

Yes:     Burfoot, Hester, Riddick, Whibley, Williams, Winn, Wright and Fraim.

 

                   No:    None.

                                        

R-3                                 Letter from the City Manager and an Ordinance entitled, “An Ordinance amending and reordaining Chapter 25 of the Norfolk City Code, 1979, SO AS TO add one new Section titled Private Roads Designated as Highways, in order to authorize law enforcement by the Police Department,” was introduced in writing and read by its title.

 

ACTION:   The Ordinance as introduced was adopted, effective December 4, 2007.

 

Yes:     Burfoot, Hester, Riddick, Whibley, Williams, Winn, Wright and Fraim.

 

                   No:    None.

 

R-4                                 Letter from the City Manager and an Ordinance entitled, “An Ordinance permitting Coastal Import Repair, Inc. to encroach into W. 21st Street at 422 W. 21st Street with an 11’ 8” ±, by 4’ 8” ± lighted sign,” was introduced in writing and read by its title.

 

ACTION:   The Ordinance as introduced was adopted, effective December 4, 2007.

 

Yes:     Burfoot, Hester, Riddick, Whibley, Williams, Winn, Wright and Fraim.

 

                   No:    None.

 

 

 

 

R-5                                 Letter from the City Manager and an Ordinance entitled, “An Ordinance approving a Lease Extension Agreement between Ronald W. Boone and Judith N. Boone, as lessors, and the City of Norfolk, as lessee, for the  lease of a certain building located at 120 Balview Avenue; authorizing the City Manager to execute the Lease Extension Agreement on behalf of the City; and authorizing the expenditure of the sum of $6,625.12 from funds heretofore appropriated for the rental payments,” was introduced in writing and read by its title.

                                       

ACTION:   The Ordinance as introduced was adopted, effective December 4, 2007.

 

Yes:     Burfoot, Hester, Riddick, Whibley, Williams, Winn, Wright and Fraim.

 

                   No:    None.

 

R-6                                 Letter from the City Manager and an Ordinance entitled, “An Ordinance accepting a Federal Grant of up to $198,388.00 managed through the Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Education, to assist with funding for the City’s Afterschool Program at Lafayette Winona Middle School and appropriating and authorizing the expenditure of the funds,” was introduced in writing and read by its title.

 

ACTION:   The Ordinance as introduced was adopted, effective December 4, 2007.

 

Yes:     Burfoot, Hester, Riddick, Whibley, Williams, Winn, Wright and Fraim.

 

                   No:    None.

 

R-7                                 Letter from the City Manager and an Ordinance entitled, “An Ordinance accepting a grant up to $18,213.84 from the Schools and Libraries Division of the Universal Service Administrative Company and appropriating and authorizing the expenditure of the funds for telecommunications and technology services for the Norfolk Public Library,” was introduced in writing and read by its title.

 

ACTION:   The Ordinance as introduced was adopted, effective December 4, 2007.

 

Yes:     Burfoot, Hester, Riddick, Whibley, Williams, Winn, Wright and Fraim.

 

                   No:    None.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R-8                                 Letter from the City Manager and an Ordinance entitled, “An Ordinance to cancel certain regular meetings of the Council of the City of Norfolk,” was introduced in writing and read by its title.

 

ACTION:   The Ordinance as introduced was adopted, effective December 4, 2007.

 

Yes:     Burfoot, Hester, Riddick, Whibley, Williams, Winn, Wright and Fraim.

 

                   No:    None.

 

R-9                                 Letter from the City Manager and an Ordinance entitled, “An Ordinance granting an additional one-half day of holiday leave to all city employees on December 24, 2007,” was introduced in writing and read by its title.

 

ACTION:   The Ordinance as introduced was adopted, effective December 4, 2007.

 

Yes:     Burfoot, Hester, Riddick, Whibley, Williams, Winn, Wright and Fraim.

 

                   No:    None.

 

R-10                               Letter from the City Manager and an Ordinance entitled, “An Ordinance to amend and reordain Chapter 2 of the Norfolk City Code, 1979, SO AS TO add a new article XIV relating to the Department of Neighborhood Preservation,” was introduced in writing and read by its title.

 

ACTION:   The Ordinance as introduced was adopted, effective December 4, 2007.

 

Yes:     Burfoot, Hester, Riddick, Whibley, Williams, Winn, Wright and Fraim.

 

                   No:    None.

 

 

 

 

 

 

R-11                               Letter from the City Manager and an Ordinance entitled, “An Ordinance to amend and reordain Chapter 33 of the Norfolk City Code, 1979, SO AS TO add one new Section, 33-43.1, concerning the installation and use of public surveillance cameras on City property in Project Focus Neighborhoods,” was introduced in writing and read by its title.

                  

                   Dr. Linda Horsey, 912 Washington Avenue, requested Council to explain the definition of city property.  Marcus Powell, 2514 Maltby Avenue, spoke in support of the matter.  Alton Robinson, 735 West 35th Street, told Council that there was not enough information available to discuss the matter.  Place holders are not sufficient.

 

ACTION:   The Ordinance as introduced was adopted, effective December 4, 2007.

 

Yes:     Burfoot, Hester, Whibley, Williams, Winn, Wright and Fraim.

 

                   No:    Riddick.

 

R-12                               Letter from the City Manager and an Ordinance entitled, “An Ordinance to amend and reordain Section 2-118 of the Norfolk City Code, 1979, and the FY 2008 Compensation Plan SO AS TO remove a division from the Executive Department and replace it with a new one, and to delete a position title from the Executive Department, add a new one and attach a pay range to it,” was introduced in writing and read by its title.

 

Alton Robinson, 735 West 35th Street, told Council that there was not enough information available to discuss the matter.  Place holders are not sufficient.

 

ACTION:   The Ordinance as introduced was adopted, effective December 4, 2007.

 

Yes:     Burfoot, Hester, Whibley, Williams, Winn, Wright and Fraim.

 

                   No:    Riddick.

 

 

R-13                               Letter from the City Manager and an Ordinance entitled, “An Ordinance to establish a Special Service Area Program,” was introduced in writing and read by its title.

 

Alton Robinson, 735 West 35th Street, told Council that there was not enough information available to discuss the matter.  Place holders are not sufficient.

 

ACTION:   The Ordinance as introduced was adopted, effective December 4, 2007.

 

Yes:  Burfoot, Hester, Riddick, Whibley, Williams, Winn, Wright and Fraim.

 

No:   None.

 

R-14                                Letter from the City Manager and an Ordinance entitled, “An Ordinance establishing the Denby Park, Monticello Village, Oakdale Farms as a Special Service Area,” was introduced in writing and read by its title.

 

Alton Robinson, 735 West 35th Street, told Council that there was not enough information available to discuss the matter.  Place holders are not sufficient.

 

ACTION:   The Ordinance as introduced was adopted, effective December 4, 2007.

 

Yes:  Burfoot, Hester, Riddick, Whibley, Williams, Winn, Wright and Fraim.

 

No:   None.

 

R-15                               Letter from the City Auditor requesting City Council to confirm the appointment Angela Kelly as an Assistant City Auditor/Audit Analyst, effective December 8, 2007.

 

ACTION:   Appointment confirmed.

 

Yes:  Burfoot, Hester, Riddick, Whibley, Williams, Winn, Wright and Fraim.

 

No:   None.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

1.      The following persons spoke in support of Benter Homes: Terry Nally, 2300 Courtney Avenue, George Brown III, 945 Albert Avenue, Marcus Powell, 2514 Maltby Avenue and Bobby Feinman, 2316 Ingleside Road.

 

2.      Rhashida Bess, 832 Reservoir Avenue, Dara Coles, 824 Reservoir Avenue and Joshua Hall, 841 Reservoir Avenue, spoke in opposition to Benter Homes building skinny houses in Central Brambleton.

 

3.      Monica Robinson, 3735 Ingle Circle, asked Council to work with Norfolk Public Schools to either renovate or build a new Dreamkeepers Academy.

 

4.      Dan Montague, 4607 Krick Street, asked Council when the Budget process begins do not forget to include a swimming pool for Sherwood Forest.  

 

5.      Phillip Hawkins, 3597 Mississippi Avenue, spoke to Council regarding the proposed Master Plan for Ingleside Community and Recreation Center. 

 

6.      Danny Lee Ginn, 3844 Dare Circle, spoke on issues pertaining to good government and expressed his opposition to the City Manager.

 

7.      Donald Berlin, 1836 West 34th Street, spoke in support of the City Manager and addressed under age children being tried as an adult.

 

8.      Garnzie West, 928 Widgeon Road, advised Council that Barron Black Learning Center is in need of repairs, additional lighting and extended hours of operations.

 

9.      Alton Robinson, 735 W. 35th Street, spoke concerning the structure of City Council, minority representation and community issues.