City Manager Weekly Update August 29, 2019
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
City Manager Weekly Update August 29, 2019 IT Department Wins 2019 Public Sector Government Innovation Award: Norfolk’s Department of Information Technology has won the coveted Public Sector Government Innovation Award for its implementation of the Enterprise Content Management (ECM) Initiative to Modernize Business Processes. The award recognizes the success of the new ECM system, which uses Laserfiche, an electronic document management and workflow system, to streamline processes and drive innovation. During the past year, IT coordinated with 12 departments to develop 50 new automated workflows to significantly improve business processes. One immediate measure of success: Paper and storage costs have decreased citywide by about 13 percent, saving an average of about $8,300 a year because fewer records need to be stored offsite. Development Policy Team: The Development Policy Team met on August 28, 2019, to discuss development initiatives and foster collaboration among key stakeholders within the City. Dr. Larry “Chip” Filer was introduced as the new city manager, and Doug Smith provided an overview of his plans for continued collaboration as he moves to the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance. The Greater Norfolk Corporation, Downtown Norfolk Council, Economic Development Association, City Planning Commission and Norfolk Redevelopment Housing Authority are participating agencies on the DPT. The next meeting is scheduled for September 25, 2019. It will be hosted by the Greater Norfolk Corporation. ODU Innovation Center: Old Dominion University’s Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, at 112 Bank Street, was officially unveiled with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. today. The institute serves as a thought leader, convener and catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. The IIE offers space to train, and to host workshops and meetings. It’s also a one-stop shop where members of the public -- as well as students, faculty and staff members, and alumni – can find resources and services for innovation, entrepreneurship, and new enterprises and programs. DriveNow Success: Norfolk Works’ DriveNOW training program successfully completed its pilot phase. Nine students participated in the program. All nine passed their CDL permit tests, all nine graduated, and all nine were hired full time by Hampton Roads Transit last week. Many of these Norfolk residents more than tripled their household incomes in just six weeks. Their newfound certifications and skills will help to increase the number of drivers with a CDL, an in-demand work force – not only for HRT, but for the private sector, too. The program is a partnership between Norfolk Works, HRT and Tidewater Community College. Finance Team Saves Taxpayers More Than $16 Million: A sharp eye and sound financial decision-making result in significant savings for three general-obligation refunding bond sales -- to the tune of $16.2 million over the life of the bonds. Norfolk’s team of financial experts kept a close watch on the market. When interest rates dropped, they moved quickly to bring the refunding bonds to market. The savings will free up taxpayer dollars for future needs. Norfolk Airport Master Plan Update: The Norfolk Airport Authority will present development concepts as part of its Master Plan Update from 6 to 8 p.m. September 12, 2019, at the Double Tree by Hilton Norfolk Airport. The update will highlight numerous changes at the airport, in the aviation industry, and in the Hampton Roads region. The Master Plan will be used to support growth and guide development to meet the needs of airport users. 1 IT Project to Replace Obsolete Police Radios Underway: Norfolk’s Police Department, in partnership with the Department of Information Technology (IT), will replace its obsolete public safety radios. IT’s Radio and Electronics Division staff also negotiated a trade-in deal with the vendor that netted 40 additional radios and $200,000 in savings for the city. This project will replace 1,150 radios in three phases, at a cost of $5.1 million. The first phase, to replace half of police handheld radios, is in progress now and will wrap up the end of the year. The remaining handheld radios will be replaced by Summer 2020. Finally, replacement of police vehicle radios will begin in Fall 2020 and wrap by the end of 2021. Flowers Baking Co. of Norfolk Hires from St. Paul’s Community: Flowers Baking Co. of Norfolk partnered with the Norfolk Department of Economic Development, NRHA and members of the workforce community to assist in a planned expansion, adding an additional shift. Demand for a new line of bread required a new supply of local talent. Economic Development’s Norfolk Works partnered with NRHA’s Workforce Development program to host an interview event on August 28th in St. Paul’s Calvert Square Family Investment Center. More than 40 residents interviewed for the opportunity. Flowers stated the recruitment event went “way beyond expectations” and plans on making as many as 17 job offers starting between $13-15+ per hour with benefits. Norfolk Happening Now! Upcoming Events for Your Awareness August 29 (5-8pm) Party on The Pier! @Nauticus & Battleship Wisconsin Come celebrate the reopening of the USS Wisconsin boardwalk with Elizabeth River Trail and Nauticus at Party on the Pier! Enjoy live music, local brews, and delicious bites! August 30 (7:05-10pm) Tides Baseball Game @Harbor Park Tides Vs. Charlotte Knights September 2 (All Day) City Hall Closed for Labor Day Holiday Norfolk’s government offices, including City Hall and all libraries, will close in observance of Labor Day. The closures include the Norfolk Courthouse, and offices of the Commissioner of the Revenue and the City Treasurer. Offices will reopen at regular business hours on Tuesday, September 3. September 3 (Times Vary) Welcome Students Back to School @Locations Vary Please join us with noise makers, signs, smiles and cheers at one or all of the schools listed below. We need as many people as possible. Southside STEM Academy - 8:15 a.m. St. Helena - 8:30 a.m. Berkley Early Childhood Center – 9 a.m. Video highlights of the latest happenings in Norfolk! ODU Stadium Preview Offsite Gallery Grand Opening at MacArthur Center Documentation of Jason Somma’s Time Square Exhibit “Midnight Moon’’ 2 SIXTY-DAY TENTATIVE SCHEDULE COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS AND MEETING TOPICS UPCOMING ITEMS FROM AUGUST 22 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING: City Planning Commission (Applicant) zoning text amendment to require a Zoning Certificate for fences on all types of lots and to prohibit fences and walls within the Coastal High Hazard and Coastal Floodplain Districts New Hope Church of Norfolk, Inc. (Applicant) change of zoning to amend the proffered conditions for property zoned Conditional IN (Institutional) at 3223 Argonne Ave Haprah, LLC (Applicant) change of zoning to amend the conditional rezoning on the property located at 2315, 2401, 2419, 2501, 2517 2601, 2605, and 2613 Hampton Blvd, 1250 West 24th St, 1215, 1217, 1221, and 1225, WS, SW, SS, SS West 25th St, 1204, 1207 and 1209 West 26th St and 1213 West 27th St The Coach House (Applicant) conditional use permits to allow the operation of a restaurant with live entertainment at 5103, 5105 and 5107 Colley Ave NEW BUSINESS: JRML Associates, Inc. (Applicant) development certificate at 644 35th St to construct office spaces and one residential unit Beacon Norfolk, LLC (Applicant) development certificate at 400 Granby Street for a rooftop addition to an existing structure Initiate a General Plan Amendment to adopt Inclusive Economic Development Strategy Initiate a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment to define, establish performance standards for, and assign the appropriate permissions for the principal use of “vape/tobacco sales establishment” Initiate a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment to modify performance standards for “convenience store” and to require a conditional use permit in select zoning districts Initiate a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment to more clearly define the performance standards for “commercial recreation center and to create assign appropriate permissions for an accessory use for “commercial amusements and gaming device” to apply in cases where fewer than five amusements are installed September 10, 2019 WORKSESSION BRIEFINGS: Norfolk Now Update September 24, 2019 WORKSESSION BRIEFINGS: October 1, 2019 WORKSESSION BRIEFINGS: VisitNorfolk Update 3 UPCOMING ITEMS FROM SEPTEMBER 26 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING: CITY PLANNING COMMISSION, for a General Plan Amendment to adopt the Inclusive Economic Development Plan. CITY PLANNING COMMISSION, for a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment to define, establish performance standards for, and assign the appropriate permissions for the principal use of “vape/tobacco sales establishment”. CITY PLANNING COMMISSION, for a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment to modify performance standards for “convenience store” and to require a conditional use permit in select zoning districts. CITY PLANNING COMMISSION, for a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment to more clearly define the performance standards for “commercial recreation center” DRAGON VAPES, (Applicant) conditional use permits at 846 E. Little Creek Road to allow operation of a Commercial Recreation Center open until 2:00 a.m. 7-ELEVEN (Applicant) conditional use permits at 6135 Chesapeake Boulevard and 6158 Sewells Point Road to allow a new convenience store providing alcoholic beverages for off-premises and operating