Engage!
click graphic to visit Virtual Town Hall website
Official Library website info at VBGov.com.
The resources under Research are just one of the amazing benefits you receive by having a VB Library card.
We encourage you to check out our library system in person!
Click here for a printable version of the agenda 3.30.15 SDCC Agenda
SDCC General Meeting Agenda
Monday March 30, 2015 from 7:30 to 9:00pm Ocean Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Hall
(parking in back, on side streets and across Shore Drive)
Program/Presentation – Mr. Clay Bernick – Administrator City of Virginia Beach Environment and Sustainability Office, will inform us of the City’s efforts to join the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) and what residents can do to help make it happen. Depending on the level of participation, home owners that live in flood zones could see insurance premiums reduced by 5%-15%.
Officer’s Reports
Secretary – David Williams
Treasurer’s Report -Kathy Pawlak
Vice President – Wally Damon
President – Todd Solomon
Old Business–
Bishard Development Update – Old Baylake Pines School properties. Both change of zoning requests were “Indefinitely Deferred” at the March 11th Planning Council meeting.
Lesner Bridge Renaming Survey – Update of results and next steps presented at the Bayfront Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting.
City Comprehensive Plan – Update on plan review and how we can continue to stay involved.
New Business –
Proposed Trolley Service from Shore Drive to Oceanfront – The BAC has asked City Council to explore the possibility of extending the trolley service during the Spring and Summer months. Should and how can SDCC support?
Community Concerns – Does your neighborhood/condo have any issues that have come up that need help or may be a warning to others?
Citywide Civic Engagement Opportunities
Next SDCC Meeting – Monday April 27th, Presentation on Flood Mitigation and Flood Insurance by Mike Vernon of Flood Mitigation Hampton Roads and Scott Hunter of Comparity.
On Monday March 30th at 7:30pm, Mr. Clay Bernick – Administrator City of Virginia Beach Environment and Sustainability Office, will be attending the SDCC general meeting to discuss the City’s efforts to join the National Flood Insurance Program(NFIP) Community Rating System(CRS) program and what residents can do to help make this happen.
Background documents on NFIP’s CRS program:
Thanks to everyone who helped make the #LESNERBRIDGE updates and transparency about the project possible!
From the News Release yesterday at VBGov.com:
“Open VB marks a major step forward in increasing public transparency in our budget and capital improvement projects,” said city Budget Director Catheryn Whitesell. “We implemented Open VB because citizens have a right to know how fund are being raised and allocated.”
Here’s the link to the #LESNERBRIDGE at the new Open VB website.
Here’s the Shore Drive Corridor Improvements Phase IV hot link.
Click screen shot to visit hot link at Open VB website.
The Search function in upper right hand corner of page seems to need exact name of the Project to find it.
It is a lot easier to scroll on the interactive map, and drill down/zoom in to find road projects you are interested in.
There is also a great way to find projects using the CATEGORY function.
As an example, it was easy to find the vital Sewer Pump Station Flow Monitoring & Date Storage page by drilling down in the CATEGORY function. Here’s that page.
Here’s an example of drilling down into the SERVICE function.
It was easy to find the Eastern Shore Drive Drainage Phase I page.
Thanks again to everyone who works so diligently on making government and it’s processes transparent.
Thanks to everyone at the COVB who makes it easy for the public to find it.
March 23rd 2015 update:
Aficionados of the Lesner Bridge Project:
This might be the first e-mail we’ve sent out in weeks that does not use the words “salt-and-sand solution” and “potholes,” and I consider that GOOD news. Chris rejoices below that “spring is in the air,” but I’m greedier . . . I want to see temps in the 90’s, AC’s running full blast and the sound of mosquitoes flying head first into my back yard zapper! That’s one of the best cures I know for these winter blahs.
The latest collection of facts and figures, updated for your reading pleasure, and other details are below, as explained by Chris Wojtowicz, our project manager and landlord of “Wojo’s World.” Please give this a look when you have the time, and feel free to let Chris or me know if you have any questions or need more information.
As a reminder, we are regularly updating information on our WEB page at: http://www.vbgov.com/lesner-bridge
You can also follow us on Twitter at: @lesnerbridge.
If you know of someone who would like to be added to our update list, please have them get in touch with me at this e-mail address and I will be glad to add them.
Please feel free to pass this along to others. Thanks again for all of your patience throughout this project.
Enjoy the week, and enjoy the approaching spring weather, AND our city. Stay safe.
Drew Lankford
Media and Communications
Department of Public Works
City of Virginia Beachdlankfor@vbgov.com
(O) 757.385.8062
(C) 757.409.4353Aaaahhhh . . . . spring is in the air! And with spring comes warmer temperatures that have the Lesner Bridge Replacement Project buzzing with activity!
Since our last update, the dredging of Crab Creek and the area in front of the wharf at the Lynnhaven Dredge Material Storage Site (LDMSS) has been completed. Much of the dredged beach-quality sand has to be stockpiled near this recently completed wharf, but some of this material was used to replenish Ocean Park Beach in preparation for the summer season.
As you have all noticed – the landscape at Lesner Bridge is beginning to change dramatically. Over the past several weeks, crews have been erecting the tall steel falsework on the west side of the bridge in preparation for assembly of the 300-foot long gantry crane that will be used to set the pre-cast concrete bridge segments into place. Assembly of this gantry will begin within the next few days, and will continue for several weeks.
Completion of the gantry assembly will be in time for arrival of the first bridge segments to the project site. The 14 segments for the first bridge span have been cast and are currently being stored in the Atlantic Metrocast yard in Portsmouth.
The expansion joint segment and the pier segments are the only pieces remaining to be built before we can begin the assembly of these units in the new westbound bridge.
Crews have made quite a bit of progress on other portions of the bridge work since the last update:
Ø Pier column #2 for the new WB bridge has been completed;
Ø 5 of the 10 drilled shafts for Pier #4 have been installed;
Ø Temporary trestle has been partially installed around the area of Pier #5;
Over the next two weeks, work will increase on the east side of the bridge as we continue to build the retaining wall, temporary wire wall, and install storm drain/other utilities at this bridge approach. The remaining drilled shafts for the foundations at pier #4 will be placed thru 3/30/2015.
Along with all of these other activities, the contractor will also begin to assemble the temporary cofferdam around the previously installed drilled shafts at Pier #3 in preparation for the construction of the foundation cap.
That’s about it for this update.
Drive safely!
-Chris
Christopher J. Wojtowicz, P.E.
Project Manager
City of Virginia Beach
Department of Public Works
Municipal Center-Bldg 2
2405 Court House Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23456-9031
Phone: (757) 385-5785
Fax: (757) 385-5668
email: cwojtowi@vbgov.com
Screen grab of construction cam shot taken on Feb 18th 2015 8am. Note: It was not spring.
View magazine online at VBGov.com.
Budget Workshop and Public Meeting Schedule Now Available
Learn more about the city’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year and take advantage of two opportunities to share your input in person.Get Your Tickets for the Annual East Coast She Crab Soup Classic
Popular among local seafood enthusiasts, this event highlighting a Coastal Virginia favorite returns to the 24th Street Park on April 11.. . . and more.
Click to go to VBGov.com
View entire article at VBGov.com.
Last month, a task force made recommendations on the best way to develop biomedical industries in Virginia Beach. One of its action items is enhancing regional broadband connectivity, “allowing researchers to perform more in-depth analysis in fields including bioinformatics and data analytics.”
Editors note: If this would increase competition in broadband speeds & rates HOORAY!!!
Read entire statement at VBGov.com.
Many property owners along Chesapeake Beach agree that the public has long-standing rights to use the beach across their properties. Some, however, dispute the public’s right to use and the city’s right to maintain the beach. They contend the beach is private.
Sorry for missing this when it was originally posted!
The last update on the Official Twitter feed for the #LESNERBRIDGE was in January though.
From Empsy:
City Council,
I am concerned about the need to change the current property tax exemptions for Seniors and Disabled in Virginia Beach due to the program being unsustainable due to COST. I found the THREE modifications posted on Virtual Town Hall equally unacceptable as did all THREE of the other comments I was able to view on the site.
I received one call from my Cape Story by the Sea email send from a senior citizen who was very upset about the proposal and the impact it would have on her fixed income and unable to understand HOW Va Beach could not do better money management to sustain the program.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the City Council, I too have difficulty in believing the program can not be sustained. Please consider the following:
1. DO NOT compare Virginia Beach with the other 6 cities of tidewater because NONE off the other six cities have an OCEAN and the tourist traffic of Va Beach. Recent article indicated “Virginia Beach dining, lodging sales near (a RECORD) $1.4 BILLION” and Jim Ricketts expects 2015 to hit another record. Surely there is income here that could support the property tax exemptions and the NEED to INCREASE the tax rate for the rest of us.2. The health care costs to the city employees was noted as being one the fastest increasing costs of the city in a recent Budget presentation by Councilman Wood at the SDCC meeting.
Consider a City owned and operated PBM- Pharmacy Benefits Management – company as CHESAPEAKE has done and saved considerable money. As a fellow pharmacist with Ed Davidson (the Consultant Pharmacist for the City of Virginia Beach), I would encourage the Council to discuss this opportunity with Dr. Davidson and your healthcare management departments. This should stabilize and possibly decrease expense to the City for employee healthcare.3. The military in Virginia Beach brings in $13 Million (or is it Billion) that is currently used in budget planning I believe even with constant discussion that this may /will decrease if/when the military cuts back/moves out. BUT, the HIGH MILITARY income is STILL HERE AND STRONG in the 37 YEARS I have lived in Virginia Beach.
I believe the Great City of Virginia Beach can sustain the current property tax exemptions and the current tax rate on property. I believe the City of Virginia Beach is unique and comparison with the other six cities of Tidewater has very LIMITED benefits when comparing tax base, tax income and potential for tax income.
Thank you.
Empsy Munden – Cape Story by the Sea – Virginia Beach
PLEASE NOTE:
Both Virtual Town Halls posted below have been closed.
Please provide your feedback in Comments below and/or Email City Council here.
View first Official Virtual Town Hall VBGOV.com website on this Topic entitled:
You can view 122 Responses by the public, video presentation by Tax Relief for the Elderly and Disabled Taskforce, Demographics of respondents, final tally, and more.
Next steps lie with City Council as they consider the information and the recommendations of the Taskforce.
View 2nd Official Virtual Town Hall VBGOV.com website on this Topic entitled:
You can view 44 Responses by the public, and more.
NOTE: City Council will be voting on proposed alternatives at their March 3 2015 Meeting.
Introduction
A tax-relief program that reduces or eliminates real estate taxes for some Virginia Beach senior citizens is not financially sustainable. That’s the conclusion of a city task force that reported recently to the City Council.
Now, the City Council is exploring ways to change the program – to continue keeping low-income seniors in their homes while managing the program’s skyrocketing costs.
The City Council has come up with three options, which are summarized here. The council wants to hear from you. A public hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 6 p.m. However, the hearing was cancelled due to inclement weather and has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 24 in the City Council chamber in City Hall, second floor, 2401 Courthouse Drive. City Council is still scheduled to vote on program changes March 3. For more information, contact the city’s Budget Office at (757) 385-8234 or budget@VBgov.com.
Virginia Beach has the most generous tax-relief program for seniors in Hampton Roads.
View Final Report by Tax Relief for the Elderly & Disabled Taskforce here. ( 102 page PDF )
PLEASE NOTE:
Both Virtual Town Halls posted above have been closed.
Please provide your feedback in Comments below and/or Email City Council here.
Start here at the official Town Hall page at VBGov.com.
Your input will help us understand community priorities related both directly and indirectly to arts and culture, and help to direct priorities for cultural investment and development. Play a part in shaping the vision of the Virginia Beach Arts Plan 2030 by completing this survey!
3 questions in Survey include:
Arts, culture and creativity in Virginia Beach increase quality of life and livability.
Arts, culture and creativity in Virginia Beach represent our diverse communities.
By the year 2030, what are the top 3 things you would like to see for Virginia Beach’s arts, cultural and creative community? (Please select up to 3 options from the list.)
Photo Credit: Tim Solanic
Three Public Meetings Scheduled Throughout the Region – view at VBGov.com.
Federal law requires localities to adopt hazard mitigation plans to be eligible for certain federal mitigation grant funds. It requires that these plans be updated every five years. Hampton Roads localities will pursue a regional, multi-jurisdictional plan.
Public involvement is a key component.
unexpected damage at Lynnhaven Boat Ramp from Sandy Oct 2012
All City of Virginia Beach offices and facilities will open tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 10 a.m. That includes all parks, recreation centers, libraries and the Virginia Aquarium. City-run historic homes will remain closed Wednesday. There will be no trash or recycle pickups on Wednesday.
The city’s essential operating condition will continue until 10 a.m. Wednesday. At that time, the city will resume normal operating conditions.
Crews from Public Works will continue working to clear streets throughout the night and throughout the day tomorrow.
Due to the anticipated hazardous road and weather conditions, Public Works/Waste Management has CANCELLED trash and recycling collections for Wednesday. Residents are asked to place their trash cans at the curb line and leave them there until they are serviced. Those residents with small amounts of trash, or extra carts, may wish to skip collection this week, and have all materials collected the following week.
Collections will resume as soon as conditions allow, and will operate on a sliding basis. Tuesday collection area will be collected on the first day collections are resumed, and continuing each collection area as needed to complete collections for the week.
Yard debris collection has been suspended for the remainder of the week. Additional requests for bulky item collection will be re-scheduled for next week. The Virginia Beach Landfill and Resource Recovery Center will follow the City of Virginia Beach operating hours.
For updates about collections, call Public Works Waste Management at 385-4650 or visit www.VBgov.com/wastemgt.
Drivers should not be out on the roads, if at all possible, to allow emergency vehicles to do their jobs.
Photo credit: Tim Solanic
Virginia Beach Cancels Waste Pickup for Tuesday, Feb 17
Photo credit: cyclist Cindy L.
Mark your calendars.
Have issues you are concerned with re: Shore Drive community?
Reasons to attend:
Familiar with the 2029 Strategic Plan for Virginia Beach?
View the PDF of the 2029 Strategic Plan at VBGov.com. (51 page PDF)
And for those who do not use Facebook, the COVB Official Facebook page now sports an image of the Brock Environmental Center. View it here while the photo is still there.

VB Connect, is a portal app that provides access to all official City of Virginia Beach mobile applications. Here, citizens and visitors can find city news, photos, hot topics, city job vacancies, contact information, and more. Residents can even find apps
And:
The VB Works app, which is now available and is powered by SeeClick Fix, enables citizens to submit service requests such as pothole repairs, traffic light problems, or bulky item pick-ups directly from their mobile devices. When submitting issues via the mobile app, residents can provide locational, descriptive, and photographic information as they see the issue in real time.
From COVB Public Works Press Release:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA CONTACT:
January 19, 2015 Drew Lankford, (757) 385-8062
(757) 409-4353
dlankfor@vbgov.comTemporary Daytime Lane Reductions on Lesner Bridge on Tuesday
Virginia Beach Public Works has announced that there will be single lane closures on Lesner Bridge tomorrow morning, Tuesday, January 20, 2015, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3p.m.
The lane closures will be on both eastbound and westbound Shore Drive between Vista Circle and East Stratford Street.
Crews will be restoring the faded temporary pavement markings in these areas.
For additional information, contact Chris Wojtowicz at cwojtowi@vbgov.com, or (757) 385-4131.
Screen shot of bridge construction cam at 7am this morning.
On Dec. 10, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Region 3 office sent a letter to Virginia Beach Mayor William D. Sessoms, Jr., confirming that Virginia Beach was in compliance with the flood insurance program. In addition, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) confirms that Virginia Beach is in compliance with all requirements of the program, and will not be suspended.
#WeLoveShoreDrive 