12 The Hampton Roads Messenger


Volume 12 Number 8 Around Hampton Roads


New Customer Service App Unveiled in Chesapeake


The City has released a new smartphone app, designed to improve the service request process for residents across Chesapeake. Called “Chesapeake Service Requests,” the app is available for both Apple and Android systems and replaces an older City app, which is no longer supported.


“We always seek to provide our citizens with the best, most accessible customer service possible,” said Customer Contact Center Manager Phyllis Edwards. “This new app allows residents to place service requests at the time and place most convenient for them in a simple, fast, and efficient manner.”


The app was developed in a partnership between the Customer Contact Center and the City’s Information Technology Department. A wide array of services can be requested, including such items as bulk trash collection, the reporting of zoning violations, and much more. Progress on requests can also be tracked, so users know how quickly the City will be responding to their needs.


The Chesapeake Service Requests app is available for download now through Google Play and the App Store. Residents with questions about the app can call the Customer Contact Center at (757) 382-CITY.


Planning Commission Endorses Recommended 5-Year Capital Spending Plan


April 20, 2018 – Hampton’s Planning Commission this week recommended approval of a five-year capital spending plan that would pump new investments into the city – mostly for economic growth and quality of life.


The proposed plan for FY19-23, which must be approved by City Council, totals $288.7 million, an increase of 27 percent over the previous five-year plan.


Since the recession and slow economic recovery, Hampton’s plans for major improvements have focused on maintenance, roads, mandated pollution-reduction projects, repairs and needed facilities. Knowing that some bonds will have been paid off and the city had capacity to borrow, council has spent nearly two years narrowing and refining a list of potential projects.


They focused on two areas where there has been less spending in recent years: Projects designed to grow the economy and produce new annual tax revenues (jobs, retail, tourism, housing), and quality of life or placemaking projects.


Economic Growth: While only $8.4 million was allocated for economic growth in the previous plan, the updated plan would grow to $61.4 million. Projects aimed for downtown – from the waterfront to the interstate – are targeted at $12 million, as are projects in the Coliseum Drive area. Almost $5 million has been added for housing redevelopment and improvement. In addition, in future years of the plan, a youth tourism facility (planned as an aquatics center) is contemplated at $22 million ¬– if council decided to move forward with it. The expected economic benefits from weekend swim meets put this in the economic category, but it also has quality-of-life improvements for local residents and high school swim teams.


Placemaking: Spending in this area would grow by almost 37%, to $26.7 million. New projects include $6 million in additional funding to improve Parks and Recreation facilities and $3 million for War Memorial Stadium upgrades. Money is also allocated to help neighborhood pools.


Projects in the other categories remain fairly stable.


Safe and Clean includes two major buildings representing the bulk of the $34 million planned over five years – a new fire station for Wythe and a new 911 and Emergency Operations Center. The police will get a larger academy, but it will be in a building the city already owns, with a renovation budget of $1 million. The plan also includes nearly $1 million to install additional public safety cameras that would support the city’s crime prevention efforts.


An Educated and Engaged Citizenry category would grow to $33.4 million, with an extra $1 million for major school maintenance projects.


Good Government would grow 10% to $107 million. Almost half of this category is road resurfacing and improvements, with mandated wastewater improvements taking another 39%. The spending plan includes $1 million for a new human resources and payroll computer system, and $2 million for improvements to the Public Works yard.


Living with Water would grow from $21.1 million to $26 million. While most of the projects in this area are mandated stormwater improvements, the category also includes some recreation. Improvements to the Salt Ponds Inlet jetty will be funded next year, two years earlier than previously planned. And new funds are included for implementing water quality projects identified in the city’s watershed studies. The five-year plan also funds a sand replenishment project at Buckroe Beach.


Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development Annual Action Plan


A draft of the City of Newport News’ Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development Annual Action Plan for fiscal year 2018-2019 is now available for public review and comment. The Action Plan describes specific projects and


activities to be undertaken by the City with anticipated funds made available from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and the HOME Program in the upcoming fiscal year.


A public meeting is being held to discuss the draft plan on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at 6 p.m. at the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center, 2410 Wickham Avenue. The plan is available for review online, and at all Newport News public libraries, the Department of Development and the Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority until May 18, 2018.


Reminder: Real Estate Tax Relief Program Accepting Applications in Norfolk


The Real Estate Tax Relief Program for Senior or Disabled Residents is accepting 2018 applications now through June 1. Norfolk homeowners who live in their homes may qualify for tax relief or deferment of taxes if they meet certain eligibility criteria:


65 years of age or totally and permanently disabled Live in the property


Combined income of owners and all relatives living in home cannot exceed $67,000 per year • Net worth, excluding the home, cannot exceed $350,000


Relief will be provided as an exemption or deferral up to the average assessment of $203,386. Taxes on amounts over $203,386 must be paid. Applicants must apply for relief every year


Residents may apply at any Department of Human Services office. For more information: Call: 757-823-1130


Email: seniortaxrelief@norfolk.gov Click: www.Norfolk.gov/seniortaxrelief


The Department of Human Services (which administers the program) is holding a series of community meetings through the city to assist applicants in filling out the forms and to answer questions about the program.


These sessions will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the following dates and locations:


Workforce Development Center, 201 E. Little Creek Road February 15, March 8, April 5, May 10 Pretlow Anchor Branch Library, 111 W. Ocean View Ave. February 27, March 13, April 17, May 22 Janaf Branch Library, 124 Janaf Shopping Center March 27, April 24


Berkley Neighborhood Service Center, 925 South Main Street May 7


New Technology Adds Enhanced Patient Care for Portsmouth Citizens


What a great day for our community. On April 30, Portsmouth Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services (PFRES) was able to place in service thirty-two (32) new Automatic Defibrillators (AEDs), eleven (11) new LifePak15 Heart Monitors / Defibrillators, and seven (7) new Lucas CPR devices for the Portsmouth Fire and EMS units. This technology will add increased patient care capabilities to all areas of the city, while boosting the efficiency of our outstanding Paramedics and EMTs.


· LIFEPAK® 15 Heart Monitors /Defibrillators is the most advanced emergency


response monitor/defibrillator, the LIFEPAK 15 device balances sophisticated clinical technologies and supreme ease of use in a device that’s tough enough to stand up to your most challenging environments. Evolving from its original platform, the 15 features include items such as Advanced monitoring parameters, advanced support for treating cardiac patients, proven CPR guidance and post event review, temperature monitoring and external power to complement 360J of energy and 12-lead ECG transmission capability. And that means your team can be even more effective.


·


The LIFEPAK 1000 Defibrillator is a powerful and compact device designed to treat cardiac arrest patients and provide continuous cardiac monitoring capabilities. Built-in flexibility allows the 1000 to be programmed for use by PFRES responders and enables care providers to change protocols as standards of care evolve.


· LUCAS3® Chest Compression System provides benefits to cardiac arrest patients by delivering guidelines-consistent, high-quality chest compressions even under difficult conditions and for extended periods of time. The device allows you and your team to work more efficiently without having to compromise on your own safety.


This was a significant financial investment in an overall effort to enhance service delivery to the citizens of Portsmouth, and the Portsmouth Fire Department extends a sincere “thank you” to the City Manager, Budget Team, and the Portsmouth City Council for expediting their vision of improved patient care.


May 2018


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