Norfolk: Time to get involved

I am happy to join the All Politics is Local blog as a contributing writer.  Since joining the Norfolk City Council, Vivian and I have discussed different ways to engage Norfolk citizens.  While I have challenged our government to be open and accountable, I have also repeatedly expressed concern that our citizens don’t take the time to stay informed on the issues that impact them the most.  I believe it makes a difference when citizens contact me or speak before council.  Each week, I will post the council agenda and highlight some of the items that might be of some interest to our citizens.  Please feel free to weigh in on any issue.  I will be reading!

You can also visit my constituent web site at http://norfolkward5.com/ to learn more about me and how to get involved.

City Council Informal Agenda 1/25/11

City Council Formal Agenda overview 1/25/11

edit by vjp: City Council Formal agenda is here and includes the items highlighted below.

REGULAR AGENDA

R-1  Letter from the City Manager and an Ordinance entitled, “An Ordinance granting a Special Exception to permit the operation of a Check Cashing Establishment on property located at 1301 East Little Creek Road, Suite #7,” will be introduced in writing and read by its title.  Click here for more info.

R-9  Letter from the City Manager and an Ordinance entitled, “An Ordinance authorizing the City Manager to negotiate an Agreement in substantial conformity with the terms and conditions of the attached Purchase and Sale Agreement, for the purpose of purchasing a certain parcel of real property known as 3575 Mississippi Avenue, in the City of Norfolk, authorizing the purchase of said property, authorizing the expenditure of a sum of up to $168,000.00 for such purpose, up to $25,000 for the reimbursement of relocation costs to the seller, and $20,000.00 for closing costs, from funds heretofore appropriated, and authorizing a Possession Agreement with the seller,” will be introduced in writing and read by its title.  Click here for more info.

R-12 Letter from the City Manager and an Ordinance entitled, “An Ordinance appropriating up to $8,255,365.00 pursuant to the Federal Education Jobs Fund (EJF) as allocated to the Norfolk Public Schools (NPS) by the Commonwealth of Virginia for fiscal years and uses authorized under the EJF,” will be introduced in writing and read by its title. Click here for more info.

R-1 is an ordinance to grant a special exception for the operation on a Check Cashing Establishment or what most refer to as a “predatory lender” on Little Creek Rd.  This location happens to be in Ward 5.  Two civic leagues and the planning commission voted against it.

R-9 is an ordinance to authorize the City Manager’s office to negotiate a purchase of a property adjacent to the light rail line.  This is to create a buffer between the neighborhood and the light rail line.  Make sure to read the attached document carefully.  Some citizens may have an issue with the actual purchase price of the house, as well as some of the extras being thrown in.

R-12 is an ordinance for the city to accept the Federal Education Jobs Fund Money and allocate it to Norfolk Public Schools.  This issue was recently in the news because the Norfolk Federation of Teacher’s President criticized the city for giving teachers the “royal run-around” with allocating the money.  This ordinance will pass, but will most likely draw some comments from council members because of the union’s criticism.  I expect some NPS employees to be there as well to speak about not having a raise in almost four years.