October 2019

Notes from Ocean View Civic League Meeting

10/10/2019
Meeting was called to order at 7:04

Police Update
Office Jobe provided the police update During the previous 30 days, there have been 9 incidents.

  • 1 Robbery of an individual
  • 3 Residential burglaries
  • 3 Aggravated assaults
  • 1 Larceny in a building
  • 1 Larceny other

Upcoming police events

  • November 12 – 6:30 PM               Open House at the 2nd precinct
  • November 14 – 8:30 AM               Invitation only – contact Officer Jobe
  • October 26 – 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM            Prescription disposal at the Precinct

Trunk or treat – volunteers are needed, and donations of candy is appreciated

  • October 26 – 2:00 – 4:00 @ Pretlow Library
  • October 26 – 6:00 – 8:00 @ Target
  • October 29 – 6:00 – 8:00 @ Southern Shopping Center

Follow-up to concerns from previous meeting:
Willoughby Boat Ramp is reserved for personal recreation boating.  Commercial fisherman using the boat ramp are trespassing.  Chief Part Ranger John Cruz has been informed of the concern.  Additional signage is being considered. Investigator Deuel was introduced – He reported 54 car larcenies have been cleared and they are continuing to work on the remaining open cases Chair Don Musacchio and audience shared concerns with the police:

  • 4th View St back-up is beginning to escalate again
  • Speeding between 4th View and 15th View is on the rise
  • Speeding on Little Bay and 10th View is a problem, especially during school bus times
  • Regulations regarding vehicles and school bus stops was shared

If the median has an opening, traffic in both directions must stop.  If the bus stops in a location where the median is not open, on-coming traffic is not required to stop. Don Musacchio shared that Jeremy Laws is leaving the area. This leaves the chair position for the conservation committee vacant.  Tim Brown is being appointed to the position.  Anyone interested in joining the committee, please contact Don. Helen Davis was introduced as the new Secretary for the OVCL.

Council woman Andria McClellan was introduced. She discussed her views on the potential Tribal casino in Norfolk by the Pamunkey Tribe.  She shared that she supports additional conversations take place regarding the impact on the community before moving forward.  She also provided background information about the discussion which have occurred thus far.  She stated citizens can sign a petition to stop the progress on the casino until additional information has been gathered and shared.

Paula Miller – Communications Manager for the HRBT Expansion Project was introduced. Information was shared regarding the additional lanes and the process.  The new tunnels will provide HOT lanes from LaSalle Ave in Hampton to the 564 interchange in Wards Corner, Norfolk.  The purpose of the HOT lanes is to help with traffic traveling through the tunnel, not with local area traffic.  The west bound traffic will continue to use the current tunnels.  A concern regarding the height restriction on the oldest west bound tunnel was mentioned.  Currently, there are no plans to divert trucks to the current east bound tunnel, which is higher, when the new tunnels are completed.  The current east bound tunnel will be the HOT lanes for west-bound traffic.

Ms. Miller stated the new tunnels and bridges take into account sea-level rise.  She also shared that 27 bridges are included in the project.  Seventeen (17) will be replaced and 10 will be either rebuild or widened.  No residential properties will be impacted during this project. The projected completion date is November 2025. In addition, the old Spectrum property, at the end of Bayville Street, is the lay-down area for construction property/equipment. A copy of the design is available for viewing at the Pretlow Library.  Also, a HRBT fact sheet was provided for all audience members.

Lea Ann Ewell, Community Activities Chair reported the Flea Market was a success. Sixty-seven (67) of the available 78 spots were rented.  There are still some t-shirts available.  Anyone interested can contact Marilyn Lipieko to purchase one. Bob Childers, Treasurer, reported the current balance, which excluded the proceeds from the Flea Market. The MyNorfolk app has been launched, which provides mobile access to the Norfolk Cares site. Reminder of the upcoming November vote and prompt was given to get out and vote. The environmental committee had no new information to share.

From the audience
The Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race will arrive in Norfolk beginning on October 18 thru October 19.  Volunteers are needed to assist with set-up.  Contact Gabe if you are interested in volunteering.  She will put you in contact with the event coordinator. Reminder the Storm The Bay 5K is this weekend at Community Beach Park.

Meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:25.