September 28th, 2016
City Manager Dave Hansen opened the meeting with his usual enthusiasm and passion for the City of Virginia Beach
- Thanks to Public Works, Public Utilities and Parks and Landscape Services for their response to Tropical Storm Hermine and the 13” rain event that followed.
- Announced new Deputy City Manager Ron Williams who will start November 7th. Member Update announcement of Ron Coincidently, our own Bryan Miller received his MBA from Regent the same time as Ron.
- Performance Report with City Council – Dave spent a considerable amount to time discussing all of City Council’s projects. A number of important areas were brought up by Council that didn’t fall under one of their specific goals and Dave has dedicated a special office to achieving these for the organization. The new office, STIR will be led by former Management Services Director Catheryn Whitesell. Office will be located on Northlanding Road across from Building 1.
- Strategy Formulation – hang up operations periodically to think strategically
- Transparency – Open Data project sponsored by Bloomberg Philanthropy
- Innovation – Open a process to encourage innovative thinking
- Resilience – stepping beyond disaster or emergency planning. Getting back on our feet.
- Organizational Development
- Former Deputy Director of Management Services, David Bradley, has replaced Catheryn as Director.
Mid-Year Council Review for 2016 – Be a cheerleader for your organization by recognizing staff achievements
- Veterans Care Center
- City Manager transition
- Employee Salary adjustments
- Balanced Budget
- Arena
- Lesner Bridge
- SPSA resolution
- City View Project (mixed use development at Burton Station
- EMS reorganization
- High level of citizen satisfaction with City services
- Council pleased with services City is providing to citizens
- Major road projects
- Entrepreneurial and Business Academy in City’s Public Schools
- City facilities funded and moving forward
- ViBE street improvements
- Kempsville Recreation Center
- Bond re-financing – lowest rate in history of the City of Virginia Beach
- Old Capt. George’s Pungo Ferry Road Park
- Top Golf
- Formation of Lynnhaven Business Association (Hilltop through Lynnhaven Parkway) – Area between Oceanfront and Town Center
Major Council Discussions
- Development Services Center
- Event homes and short term rentals such as Air B&B
- Light Rail
- Gap financing
- FOIA requests
- African American Cultural Center
- City Hall – Goals & Outcomes
- Storm water management and flooding
- Small Business Development
- Police Retention, recruitment, workforce development
- Affordable workforce housing
- Veterans services
- Broadband development
- All day kindergarten
- College of Health Sciences (Virginia Beach Campus at ODU)
- Filed house in the resort area
- Sand replenishment (Croatan as an example)
- Lynnhaven Corridor
- Croatan Beach Study
- ITA update study
- Monthly water bill option
- Relocation of Admiral De Grasse statue from Ft. Story
Dave also provided a long list of expected outcomes by the January 2017 Council Retreat. Many were related to the items stated above.
General reminders:
Encourage everyone to remind staff about taking the opportunity to help the United Way
Reminder of Open Enrollment
Member Survey coming out soon
Performance appraisal due dates
Presentations
National Flood Insurance Program – In short, the City provides considerable services to FEMA which allows for discounted flood insurance premiums to homeowners. If you own a home in a flood zone, you’re probably required to carry flood insurance. Home owners insurance does not typically include flooding.
Navigational Dredging Projects
- Beach replenishment through hydraulic dredging
- Navigational mechanical dredging in neighborhoods
- Paid for by homeowners through special assessment on real estate taxes
- Maintains high values for waterfront neighborhoods
Other announcements
- Flu Season is coming – Get a free flu shot at Birdneck Elementary October 15th 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Elections November 8th. Expect lines. Long ballot
- Hurricane is brewing in the ocean, we’re not out of the woods yet
- New budget analyst Ernie Austin was introduced (he’s CVB’s new analyst too)
- EMS Chief Ed Brazel introduced new members of his staff