12 The Hampton Roads Messenger


Volume 7 Number 9 Around Hampton Roads


City of Chesapeake Information Technology Announces New Services


The City's Information Technology Department has launched two new applications aimed at making interaction with the City simpler, quicker and more efficient for residents.


The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Division launched Property QuickSearch 2.0 (PQS 2.0) on April 19. PQS 2.0 is a web-based application for obtaining property information. Properties within Chesapeake can be searched by address or Tax ID, or selected by drawing shapes. Information available includes property assessment data, which is linked directly to the Real Estate Assessment application, along with zoning designations, flood zones, and the Flood Insurance Rate Map grids.


The app is available on the City's homepage through the Online Services - Property Information - Property Quick Search link or directly at CityOfChesapeake.net/PQS.


A second new application, launched April 25, provides mobile access for home owners with bulk waste collection service needs. The app is currently available in the Google Play marketplace and will soon be available in iTunes. App users can request collection of household items and yard debris via a mobile-friendly interface.


After setting up an account, users can select the account address or enter another address for collection. Users can also see a history of requests made through the app. For next day collection, users are asked to submit the request by 11:45 p.m.


Bulk trash pickup is one on the most requested City services. More than 103,500 requests were received in 2012. Of those, 54% were received via the City website. The app was developed by Web Teks, a Chesapeake company providing customized technology solutions to more than 500 companies worldwide.


"We're taking two popular services, adding functionality, and making them even easier for citizens to access," said Chief Information Officer Peter R. Wallace. "Property Quick Search opens the doors to a wide range of property information that the City uses to make important decisions, from emergency planning to finding the most efficient routes for waste collection trucks. And we're confident that the mobile app will be well received. The high percentage of requests from the web shows that many of our citizens are comfortable using technology to access services. They've gone mobile, and so should we."


www.cityofchesapeake.net City of Hampton Announces


Disparity Study MGT of America, Inc., a nationally recognized research consulting firm, is conducting a second generation Disparity Study for the City of Hampton and Schools (City). The information the City is seeking includes, but not limited to:


Whether there are disparities between the availability and utilization of minority and women owned business enterprises (M/WBE).


Whether or not firms face difficulties or barriers when bidding as prime contractors, vendors, subcontractors, or suppliers.


Whether there are disparities in the utilization of M/WBEs by prime contractors on projects where there are no M/WBE goals.


The study will examine 1) the procurement of services and products by the City, 2) the subcontracting practices of prime contractors/vendors who do business with the City, and 3) the anecdotal evidence collected from a broad cross section of M/WBE and non-M/WBE firms on their experience doing business or attempting to do business with the City. The study will analyze the procurement of construction, architecture and engineering, professional services, other services and goods and supplies.


The study is necessitated in part by the 1989 U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the case of City of Richmond v. J.A. Croson that imposed legal requirements on jurisdictions to establish a “compelling interest” to support the establishment of a minority and women business program. The results of this study will determine if a compelling interest exists.


This is a great opportunity for you to provide feedback regarding your experience doing business with or attempting to do businesses with the City or its prime contractors/vendors. Businesses may be asked to participate in one or more of the following activities that are to be scheduled over the next several months: Surveys of Vendors, Personal Interviews, Focus Groups.


Public Hearing NOTICE FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: Persons with disabilities who plan to participate in one of these activities and who may need auxiliary aids or services such as interpreters for persons who are deaf, readers, large print or Braille, also non- English speaking persons who may need assistance are requested to contact Vernetta Mitchell at 704-531-4099. Individuals or business owners with questions or comments about this study can contact: Vernetta Mitchell, MGT of America, Inc., (704) 531-4099, Vmitchel@ mgtamer.com


The City of Hampton and Schools and MGT of America would like to thank you in advance for your participation in and support of this important study.


To verify the information in this announcement contact Jessica Spencer, Minority Business Coordinator at (757) 728-5179, or jrspencer@hampton.gov.


Newport News Mayor's Youth Citizen of the Year: Nomination


Forms Available Do you know a youth who excels in community service, leadership and citizenship? Nominations are available for the Newport News Mayor’s Youth Citizen of the Year Award. You can nominate any high school freshman, sophomore or junior who excels in community service, leadership and citizenship. The student must be a Newport News resident.


The selected individual will receive a plaque, $100 gift card, and lunch with the Mayor. The young person will serve as an ambassador for the City of Newport News. As ambassador, the winner will be invited to participate in City events with the Mayor and serve as the official youth spokesperson for the City of Newport News.


Nomination forms are available for download at www.nngov.com/human-servicesor you can contact Traci Snell at (757) 369-6808. Nominations are also available at community centers and libraries.


Nominations must be received by 5:00 pm on Friday, May 17, 2013 to be considered. Please complete the nomination form and return to: Please complete the nomination form and return to:


South Morrison Family Education Center, ATTN: Traci Snell, 746 Adams Drive, Newport News, Virginia 23601 Fax: 369-6808, E-mail: tsnell@nngov.com


www.nngov.com Norfolk to Receive Nominations


for School Board Each year, during the month of June, city council conducts a public hearing to receive nominations for appointment to the school board. To be considered for appointment, the State Code requires that an individual's name be placed in nomination at the public hearing.


In advance of that, the council invites persons with an interest in serving to submit applications or letters of interest along with resumes for consideration. Please include an email address and phone number(s) where you may be contacted. An application form is available online at: www.norfolk.gov/indcx.aspx?nid=391 or, interested persons may call 664-4253 to request an application by fax or mail.


Letters of interest – or applications - and resumes can be submitted by email to: breck.daughtrey@norfolk.gov or by U. S. mail to: Office of the City Clerk 810 Union Street Room 1006 Norfolk, VA 23510


The public hearing will be noticed in local newspapers as well as on the home page of the City's website at least 10 days prior to the date of the hearing. Again, to be considered for appointment, names must be placed in nomination at the public hearing.


Norfolk.gov Portsmouth Water System to


Temporarily Change to Chlorine As part of routine maintenance procedures to ensure the quality of our drinking water, the City of Portsmouth, in conjunction with the Cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk and Isle of Wight County, will temporarily switch from chloramines to free chlorine as the disinfecting agent added to City water. This change, which will be done in accordance with state and federal regulations, will pose no impact to public health or to the safety of City water. The switch to free chlorine will be from May 2, 2013 until May 23, 2013, with a return to chloramines on May 24, 2013.


This temporary change will affect water for all Portsmouth water customers, including those customers in Chesapeake and Suffolk who receive water from the City of Portsmouth. It is possible that residents may notice a chlorine-like smell, often referred to as a “swimming pool smell,” during the change. This is normal and it is not harmful and you will not need to do and anything. Also, it is possible that you may notice brief discoloration – again, this is normal and will dissipate as the change continues. Kidney dialysis patients and fish owners should continue to follow the standard water treatment process for chloramines, as this also removes free chlorine.


For more information, call the Portsmouth Water Quality Laboratory at 539-2201 ext. 232. Reed Integration Headquarters


Opens in North Suffolk Virginia Reed Integration, Inc. has moved its engineering services headquarters to 7007 Harbour View Blvd., Suite 117, in the Bridgeway Technology Center. Reed Integration provides systems engineering, project management, functional analysis and other technical services for both government and commercial markets. One of their specialties is PMP (Project Management Professional) Training. They work with area universities and companies to provide PMP certification. Their professional services have been utilized by customers such as NASA, the U.S. Coast Guard, Virginia Port Authority and Northrop Grumman.


The move to the 7,600 square-foot space enables Reed Integration to expand and enhance their service suite. Reed Integration will employ 10 professionals at the new headquarters. The new facility also features the “Reed Learning Institute”, a 48-seat project management training center for staff and corporate partners. Becky Reed, President and CEO of Reed Integration, Inc., stated, “This is an incredible step forward for our company. The growth we have seen recently and will continue to see in the coming years is very exciting, and we are thrilled to now be located in the northern Suffolk technology area which will allow us to better serve our clients.”


Reed Integration is the latest tenant in the Bridgeway Technology Center development in Suffolk’s Technology Corridor. Reed Integration’s new operation has the ability to qualify for the Suffolk Technology Zone Program. The City established the Technology Zone Program to provide local tax rebates for qualifying companies to encourage technology businesses


May 2013


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