Council considers projects
Published 10:41 pm Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Suffolk City Council will hear a report on the city’s hurricane response efforts and vote on transferring money to various capital projects during its meeting Wednesday night.
The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in City Council chambers, 441 Market St. It will be preceded by a work session meeting at 5 p.m.
On the consent agenda, the City Council will vote on spending $1.9 million left over from various capital projects.
City staff have proposed spending the money for a variety of other capital projects, including roadway and drainage improvements in several communities and an updated cost estimate for railway quiet zones.
Other projects would include additions to the fire and police facility on Bridge Road, to include more parking, an impound lot and an equipment storage building; a special events shelter and stage behind the Visitor Center; improvements at Cypress Park, including upgrades to the basketball courts and the pool and the addition of more playground equipment and shelters; and dredging of Bennett’s Creek.
Staff members have recommended ending efforts to build an emergency access road to the Hollywood neighborhood and a multi-use trail in the Eclipse community, saying both projects are becoming too expensive because of certain hardships.
Wetlands were discovered in the path of the Hollywood road, staff reported last month. And building the Eclipse trail likely would require expensive condemnation proceedings.
The leftover money in both of those projects is included in the pot to be redistributed.
Also on the agenda, the City Council will hear a report on the response to Hurricane Irene. There also will be public hearings on a Historic Landmarks Commission decision appeal and the Hampton Roads Regional Water Supply Plan.
Ordinances also will be considered regarding rental of city facilities.
In addition, the city assessor will provide City Council with a report regarding the tax-exempt status of nonprofit organizations within the city.