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Virginia Beach — The Virginia Beach Council met until about 1 a.m. Wednesday morning at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.
Here are five takeaways from the meeting.
An update on financial losses due to the impact of COVID-19 on the economy
Earlier this year, the Virginia Beach council had fears that the COVID-19 pandemic would cause major budget deficits. In May, the council froze spending and hiring to make sure the city kept a healthy general fund balance.
On Tuesday, Finance Director Alice Kelly shared a presentation that showed those efforts were paying off. The amount of unassigned general fund dollars is actually the highest it has been in nine years, Kelly said. Revenue for the current fiscal year are $7.9 million lower than previously budgeted, but the cash balances for all funds are at appropriate levels, she said. The council did not indicate on Tuesday if it will consider restoring funds to projects that had been put on hold.
Extra pay awarded to essential workers who have kept the city functioning through the pandemic
Last week, the council voted to give hazard pay to first responders and Health and Human Services workers using $4.5 million in funds the city received from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funds.
On Tuesday night, the council voted 10-1 to spend nearly $2.4 million to provide one-time bonuses for 3,456 more employees across the city who were not eligible for the hazard pay. Councilman John Moss voted no.
Some employees in the departments of Emergency Management, Emergency Communications and Citizen Services, Public Utilities, Public Works, Parks and Recreation and Information Technology will be eligible to receive $1,500. All other employees will receive $250, as long as they earn salaries under $100,000 per year. The city will use money saved from a hiring freeze.
The city’s waste management workers took a day off last week after workers grew frustrated that the council had not voted to provide them extra pay. Alfred McClenny, who spoke before the council, said waste management employees do not have enough working equipment to do their jobs and they have not received pay raises in many years. He urged the council to better fund the department.
Federal CARES Act money approved for schools
The council appropriated more than $10.1 million in CARES Act funds to the Virginia Beach City Public Schools. The money will be used to “support remote learning through educational technology; support the diverse needs of all students during school closure and return to school, which may include mental health services and supports, provisions for meal distribution, and services allowable under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; plan for and implement extended learning and summer learning; and requirements for continuity of operation and service including continuing to employ existing staff to the greatest extent possible.”
Joint meeting with Planning Commission
For the second time in a row, the council held a joint meeting with the city’s Planning Commission.
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City Attorney Mark Stiles explained the city did not properly advertise past Planning Commission meetings. He advised the groups to meet together so the planning commissioners could hold new hearings and re-vote on the issues at the same time the council considered them, which would minimize the delay of the items. But doing so created a long meeting.
Stiles apologized to the public for the inconvenience the situation caused.
Wedding venue in rural Virginia Beach approved
The most contentious issue discussed on Tuesday pitted the farming community against the wedding industry. Council members voted 8-3 to approve a barn-themed wedding venue in southern Virginia Beach against the wishes of Councilwoman Barbara Henley, who represents the rural area. The site will be allowed to host 30 outdoor events per year with up to 150 guests. Five events per year can have up to 250 guests.
Wolfe Bros Events LLC, began seeking approval for the venue off of Princess Anne Road last year.
Councilwoman Jessica Abbott said she viewed the venue as a way to preserve agricultural land.
But Henley opposed the project and likened it to a convention center on a property that should be primarily used for agriculture. She balked when speakers called the structure a barn. She said it is a “building designed to look like a barn.” She said approving the venue would show the council is turning its back on the agricultural community.
Alissa Skelton, 757-995-9043, alissa.skelton@pilotonline.com.