8/4/11

The Pembroke Area Comprehensive Transportation Plan Study was completed in 2008, and long-term improvements for reconfiguration of the Independence Boulevard/I-264 interchange are identified in this study. This study included a separate ten-foot multiuse path along Independence Boulevard between Bonney Road and Baxter Road. Unfortunately, funding is not programmed for these improvements at this time.

There is a worn path along the west side of Independence Boulevard that goes behind the guardrail and between the bridge columns and the embankment. Staff plans to propose a sidewalk in this area. However, the I-264 underpass area is within the Virginia Department of Transportation’s right-of-way, and any proposed alternatives will need to be coordinated with them. Once the sidewalk is approved, it will be added to our Traffic Safety Improvements list to compete for funding against similar projects.

If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kathleen D. Hassen
Virginia Beach City Manager's Office
khassen@vbgov.com
757-385-4242

JOhn, good post/problem! I went from Town Cente drain into the Lylnnhaven r area to Mt. Trashmore area today-dangerous undertaking. Went on worn path behind guard rail/jersey wall. What's with that dark oily ,filthy "water" behind the jersey wall? It looks and smells like a ditch latrine, full of trash, waste and old wooden pallets. Does that filthy "water" drain into the Lynnhaven River watershed? Is that vile "swill" a biohazard? Aengus

john,good post / comment / problem ! went from town center to mt. trashmore today - dangerous undertaking. used "worn path behind guardrail" / jerseywall. what's with that dark oily filthy "water" behind the jerseywall? it looks and smells like a open ditch latrine full of trash,waste and old wooden pallets. does that filthy vile "water" drain into the lynnhaven river watershed? is that vile swill a biohazard? AENGUS

HELP WANTED - needed, one environmentalist boy scout searching for an eagle scout project. task - have soil under I-264 overpass tested.before taking any soil samples have your leader inspect site for hazardous conditions.suggestion - wear appropriate disposable protective clothing prior to going into area.think of scout motto - "BE PREPARED" ( for the worst case scenario ).work with a local environmental corporation and develope a plan of action and milestones for clean up. NOTE: scope of clean up may be beyond the capabilities of one scout or one troop. plan of action and milestones will be a major eagle scout project. THINK FUNCTIONING AS A "PROJECT MANAGER". Thank You, AENGUS

8/15/11
We will have the condition under the overpass investigated to determine if there is anything we can do to address it. We will post a response as soon as possible. In the meantime, if I may provide any additional assistance, please let me know.

Kathleen Hassen
Virginia Beach City Manager's Office
757-385-4242
khassen@vbgov.com

8/15/11 JOHN, I'm new to Town Center / Virginia Beach area. In the sunday 8-14-11 issue of the virginian-pilot,beacon section on page 1 they have a great story,with map and listings. story titled "smoother commutes ahead" ,by reporter Ruth Moon at 222-5130 - ruth.moon@pilotonline.com. John , I hate to inform you that out of 6 road projects currently funded, 8 road projects funded regionally or by the state and 27 road projects on the city's wish list - a sidewalk / bike lane at Independence Blvd. and I-264 - NOT ONE WORD OF MENTION ! John , can you wait and ride that lightrail thing named "THE TIDE" ??? Let's press on , AENGUS.

JOHN, an independent mobility challenged resident of Town Center should be able to safely travel the east side of S. Independence Blvd. to Golden Corral, Starbuck's and Mt. Trashmore Park. If you are not challenged try walking the route, it's better then an "E" ticket at Disney World. Some sections along the route are without sidewalks and crosswalks. The route does have many fast moving oncoming "distracted driver" operated cars and trucks. Route also has a fair amount of uncollected / abandoned roadside wreckage. The "adrenalin rush" is more cost effective then a Starbuck's venti expresso caramel macchiato ! Narrated video travelog to be posted soon. AENGUS

8/23/11 On 8/16/11 at 9:15 pm I ventured from Town Center down S. Independence Blvd. to Holland Rd. A plethora ( too many to count ) of street lights on and near the blvd. were not lighted. Is this area part of an energy conservation / low illumination district or are a large number of nonfunctioning street lights an indicator of something else ? Do the city taxpayers get a discount / electrical rebate from Dominion Electric Power for nonfunctioning street lights ? Does this area have an abnormal rate of nighttime motor vehicle / pedestrian accidents attributable to low levels of nighttime lighting ? AENGUS

8/24/11
The City of Virginia Beach has a place on our web site where streetlight outages can be reported and they are forwarded to Dominion Power. I will enter your concern in that system.

Kathleen Hassen
Virginia Beach City Manager's Office
757-385-4242

That still does not resolve the pedestrian/bicycle/handicap scooter ability to navigate Independence Blvd. You say it it VA Highway Dept, but it is a Virginia Beach problem and your responsibility to serve the citizens and resolve the problem.

You're correct. I was only responding to the part about the streetlights in this particular posting.

Kathleen Hassen

8/25/11 JOHN, more bad news about " safe sidewalk " comment. The Virginia Beach Bikeways and Trails Advisory Committee ( BTAC ) created a report titled " Bikeways and Trails Plan " 4/26/11. Page 6-61 of report lists " TOP PRIORITY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS ". First five prrojects have an " estimated " total cost of 17 to 19 MILLION dollars. Not one word mention of or one dollar for S. Indep. Blvd. bike/pedestrian sidewalk. Page 7- 7 of report states, " ANNUAL RETREAT : Plan an annual retreat to review past activities,prepare a work plan and address problems in an environment different than the regular meeting space. Encourage the BTAC to determine its priorties once a year and review them every six months." JOHN, sounds like a ticket to a "free vacation" to me. Let's join the committee, I can get into possible "free eats and treats". We may be able to travel and do bike rides and walking as "informed research". AENGUS

8/27/11 JOHN, Prior to Sept. mtg. of V-B Bikeways & Trails Committee they should "mount up " and go on a field trip. Travel both sides of Blvd. Mode of transport - walk, jog, bike, skateboard, longboard and one member push a stroller. These are the type of people / workers that use this urban transportation route on a daily basis. One round trip should be in daylight and other trip should be after 9:00 pm. Route serves Mt. Trashmore Skateboard Park, YMCA.,Town Center and apt's and homes on Blvd., Holland Rd. and Baxter Rd. Slight stroller " issue " --- no females on BATC committee. AENGUS

8/27/11 JOHN, More bad news. THE BIKEWAYS AND TRAILS PLAN posted on the V-B website is outdated, look at right bottom of coverpage - date reads " FEB. 15, 2011. To get correct April 26,2011 copy of plan it will cost you $ 25.00 --- purchase at the planning department. AENGUS

8/27/11 JOHN my friend, more bad news. Went to the V - B Bikeways and Trails Advisory Committee website. Website states, " The committee meets the second monday of every month......." This months meeting is 9/12/11 at 3:00pm , meeting agenda is not published on website. Last meeting minutes on website is for 5/9/11 meeting. AENGUS

8/28/11 JOHN, A cornucopia of "not so good information" -- read Virginian-Pilot / Pilotonline.com 8/28/11 story titled , "Beach plans bike lane along stretch of crash-prone road ". In an era of cash strapped "city" and deep cuts to school board operating and construction budgets --- " finding $2.4 million dollars of cash within the existing capital budget and spending $2.4 million " found " cash dollars on a 4 foot wide by 4 mile long bike lane for a handful of recreational road cyclists is quite simply -- BEYOND THE REALM !!! It will be good to see the COST / BENIFIT ANALYSIS REPORT and ENVIROMENTAL IMPACT REPORT that have been completed for this project. Question -- will reports be posted online for public viewing or will it require written "freedom of information requests to obtain copies of these two reports. AENGUS

We would welcome your attendance at any BTAC meeting. The next meeting is at 3pm on Monday September 12 at the Landscape Management Building at 4141 Dam Neck Road. The agenda will be set about a week beforehand.

BTAC members are appointed by Council because they are cyclists, hikers, runners, and equestrians who walk, run and ride frequently around the City and understand the issues that come from doing that. We invite your participation in BTAC meetings as the most effective way to influence how bikeways and trails are built and managed around Virginia Beach.

For more info about BTAC, the Bikeways and Trails Plan, or other bike and pedestrian issues in Virginia Beach, you can contact me directly at wwilcox@vbgov.com.

9/1/11
In response to your post regarding the trash, debris, water and pallettes under the overpass, our Landscape Management crews will be cleaning up the area.

Kathleen Hassen
Virginia Beach City Manager's Office
khassen@vbgov.com
757-385-8190

City said this would be cleaned, well as of 1 Sep 2011, see the fix??

9/2/11
I just posted the response yesterday, and they have had their hands full addressing the aftermath of this weekend's storm. This is important, but may not be the highest priority this week.

Kathleen Hassen
Virginia Beach City Manager's Office
khassen@vbgov.com
757-385-8190

9/5/11 On 9/01/11 at 9:30 pm the underside of I-264 overpass above S. Inndependence Blvd. only one large road flood light out of "12" lights was working. The section behind the jersey wall does not have any lights installed. At night, that area is pitched darkness and an ideal area for a mugging / assault. The northwest corner of the embankment has a bushy tree growing that blocks visibility into the path / walking area. It should be noted -- because of necessity , some females must walk this route in pitch - darkness after working in the Town Center area. This is a dangerous way to earn a paycheck ! AENGUS

9/5/11 JOHN , Do you know " yada,yada,yada" when you see it ? I think we're begining to see some " yada,yada,yada" when it comes safe sidewalks / any sidewalks in this section of South Independence Blvd. The Virginian-Pilot newspaper "lives" on this blvd. in Town Center , one would think in all these past years someone would have jumped on a bike and done a story on this public safety issue -- an online look back I could not find one word of mention. However, on 9/5/11 the newpaper did do a long editorial titled , " Bicycles at the beach " supporting the city spending $2,400,000 for a handful of rereational road cyclists. A safe / already existing FREE route to and from the oceanfront is within FIRST LANDING STATE PARK . This route is in fact a "designated bike trail / route ! A needed editorial should be titled, "How the city magically found $2.4 mil for a " HOBBY BIKE TRAIL " after cutting school funding ??? " AENGUS

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9/6/11 JOHN, Right here in Town Center we have two local " media " outlets -- both within walking distance of South Independence Blvd. -- one newspaper and one TV station. I did a quick on-line search at WTKR-TV for a story on this "sidewalk" public safety hazard -- NO STORY FOUND. The local "media" is missing a great marketing opportunity -- South Hampton Roads has great biking areas / trails and " biking " is popular ( good marketing demographics ). They could helmit -cam a bike riding reporter and build a bike trail on-line video library for locals and vacationers. Evaluate the trail / path and sell advertising for " services " on or near the trail / route. THE GOOD , THE BAD , THE UGLY ! AENGUS

9/7/11 W.Wilcox-Your post late Aug. You state,"BTAC members are appointed by Council because they are cyclists,hikers,runners and equestrians who...." -- suggest BTAC website "profile" related hobbies members participate in at least once per month. BTAC appointed citizens looks like an "all male boysclub. To reflect city demographics committee should be approx. 50% female and at least one female should be "mom" to young children. Are any committee members "mobility challenged" if not committee would be a good place for a couple of our local "WOUNDED WARRIORS". Checking homepage for BTAC seems as if some BTAC appointed members are operating with expired terms. If terms are "expired" are they legal members of committee ? Do they get a vote on committee issues at Sept. 2011 meeting ? AENGUS - BLACKWATER

Thanks for your thoughts. I hope you will accept the previous invitation to attend a BTAC meeting soon to see more of what it does. BTAC would be pleased to have more diversity. We are updating the member list to reflect that all of their terms are current. One of our liaisons is mobility challenged, and staff focuses well on accessibility issues.

9/7/11W.Wilcox- What are max years/terms a BTAC member can serve? Two appointments expired on 6/30/11. one expired member has served 6 years/2 terms and one 2013 expiring member will have served 8 years/3 terms. New blood may have new visions. NOTE- It's nice to have a mobility challenged city employee as liaison. The roles of paid city staffers and volunteer citizens are hardline divergent. Not to minimize, a paid mobility challenged city employee can never equal to or substitute for one mobility challenged " WOUNDED WARRIOR " volunteer citizen committee member that needs to ( re ) connect with a productive new aspect of " THE GOOD LIFE AT THE BEACH " . AENGUS - BLACKWATER

City Code limits service to three 3-year terms. Boards and committees with other terms have other limits. The two expired appointments were renewed but the web site has not been updated. It will be with the new web site that comes on line this weekend.

The liaison to which I referred previously was not a staff person but a liaison from another related City committee. His participation has been very valuable to the committee.

9/8/11 W. WILCOX, As it now stands the 8 member BTAC committee is locked in as an all male boysclub until 6/30/12 -- unless a committee member resigns. Virginia Beach has a wealth of intelligent, active, strong and motivated ladies --if in doubt, stand any place in the city with open eyes! What's the process / age / requirements for V-B females to be in the wings and on the selection list for the next two or three openings to bring the BTAC toward demographic balance ? Can a couple of additional committee slots be added ? The city controls. AENGUS - BLACKWATER

9/9/11 The city of VB Bikeways and Trails Plan issue date April 26,2011 was placed in the M.Oberndorf Central Library. I viewed the printed copy once. Recently,(twice) the good ladies at the info. desk attempted to locate the copy but were unable to do so. THEY WERE OUTSTANDING AT "CUSTOMER SERVICE" ! I had copied the cover page, it had two stickers attached - one above the photo reads "DOES NOT CIRCULATE" ,the other at the bottom of page reads "MDOC 711.72 V8172b 2011" At least two copies of "THE PLAN" should be on the open shelves of the main library for public review / use / reading. As of 9/9/11 the city website copy of "THE PLAN" is outdated - look at date on bottom right of cover page. AENGUS - BLACKWATER

9/11/11 Baxter Rd. & S. Independence Blvd. area on north side of Baxter Rd from Ferguson Plumbing Supply to S. Indep. Blvd.is devoid of a paved sidewalk. Walking area behind curb is not flat or uniform and is overgrown with grass / weeds. Immediately at corner is a large holly tree / bush that semi-blocks dirt walking surface and creates a "blind spot " to S. Indep. Blvd. In the same area as holly tree is a large deep rut caused by right rear wheels of big rigs running over curb and not staying on paved road surface. Young women with strollers are forced to be on / in road with cars and large trucks. THIS SITUATION IS DANGEROUS AND TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE !!! AENGUS - BLACKWATER

9/12/11 JOHN, Read Viginian-Pilot story dated 9/12/11 titled - " Beach schools abandon visitor screening system ". The city "found" $ 2.4 million dollars for a Shore Drive bike path improvement serving a handful of SPANDEX CLAD HOBBY ROAD CYCLISTS ( not Olympians in training mode ). NOTE - cash found this year and not spent todate. Cash for hobby bikers - $120,000 to protect the "little children" from sex offenders or sidewalks in S. Indep. Blvd. / Town Center area - NO CAN DO ! AENGUS - BLACKWATER

9/12/11

We will have staff look at the issue at Baxter Road and S. Independence Boulevard and provide a response as soon as possible.

Kathleen Hassen
Virginia Beach City Manager's Office
khassen@vbgov.com
757-385-4242

9/13/11

City staff contacted the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) regarding the streetlights out under the overpass. VDOT reports they plan to repair the lights by this Thursday, 9/15/11. Also, the overgrown vegetation has been removed.

Kathleen Hassen
Virginia Beach City Manager's Office
khassen@vbgov.com
757-385-4242

9/13/11 Baxter Rd.&S. Indep.Blvd-Area onS.side of Baxter Rd. Immed. adjacent to S.Indep.Blvd. - existing bike route/sidewalk abrubtly DEAD-ENDS approx. 50yds. short of Blvd. Walking surface is 2 patches of grass & a chunk of sidewalk. If you have any material leftover from that $1.2 mil-1300 ft. long x 12 ft. wide foot bridge at L. Holly & Pacfic Ave., could a citizen project team get 10-15 gals. of white traffic paint and a mix of bike & ped. signage ? We could do ped. crosswalk & hang signs. This "Tiger Team" project would be of no cost to V-B taxpayers and make it safer for children and ladies with strollers. NOTE : That $1.2 million dollar foot bridge is a sight to behold ! Go to earlymarine.com for photos - better yet, you paid for it, pack a sack lunch and commensurate with your $ 1.2 million dollar foot bridge - plan ahead and avoid the crowds . AENGUS - BLACKWATER

I have asked libraries about the missing Bikeways and Trails Plan.

I will meet soon with Traffic Engineering to review the possibilities for Baxter & Independence.

The process for being appointed to any City committee is open to all. Interested citizens can go to http://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/city-clerk/appointed-agencies/Pages/default.aspx to register an interest in serving on any appointed agency.

9/18/11 Lynnhavenrivernow.com go to seeclickfix website-subj.-"getting across Independence Bl.". 1. See Aengus post - 1 month ago. 2. See city manager post - 8/15/11. 3. See city manager post - 9/1/11. 4. See "JOHN" post 1 Sept. w/photo.Lynnhavenrivernow.com the area high up under the overpass was used for an extensive period of time as a homeless encampment for 6 -8 people. Area at bottom with "water " was used as a latrine / garbage dump. This "water " may be a source of Lynnhaven River pollution. Dirt / water may need to be removed and disposed of as part of a hazardous site remediation action. High area under overpass should be lighted and fenced to preclude future use as a homeless encampment / open sewer to area watersheds. Capt. John Smith ate Lynnhaven oysters,they were world renown. The future - time will tell ! AENGUS - BLACKWATER

9/19/11 A simple challenge to one " person of faith " in the city of Virginia Beach : 1. Revisit Matthew 25: 31-46. 2. Due to recent storms and heavy rains our urban campers have returned to the underside of overpass at S.Indep.Blvd. & I-264. Campers are for the most part self-sufficient. Yes they have issues-but they are in survival mode. They can not control toilet facilities. 3. THE CHALLENGE - " one of faith " rent a Porta - Pottie with T.P. and provide weekly trash collection for encampment. P-P should have solar powered night light - THINK GREEN ! This is not a government problem needing a government solution ( if government gets involved the " campers " could end up with a $275,000 dollar trailside outhouse ). The " campers " are " us " and " we " are the " campers ". AENGUS - BLACKWATER

9/20/11 S. Indep. Blvd. & South Blvd. ( "The sidewalk ends here" ). Memo to - ALL MALE NON-MOBILITY CHALLENGED BOYSCLUB - aka V-B bikeways and trails advisory committee - make Oct. meeting part of "ANNUAL RETREAT.... in an environment different than the regular meeting space..." ( page 7 - 7 of trail plan dated April 26,2011 ). Bring bikes and longboards to Golden Corral on blvd. for late lunch mtg. We " dudes " can ayce steak,fist bump,male bond and group mount up and ride from "retreat " as nonchick-a-fide down blvd to South Blvd. and on to YMCA and Mt. Trashmore. I can provide wheelchair. It will be good to go on an estrogen free manly networking jaunt. AENGUS - BLACKWATER

9/19/11 S. Independence Blvd. & South Blvd. I-264 EAST & WEST sign at corner has been down for well over one month. How many thousands of cars have driven by and have seen this broken / down sign ? IT IS WHAT IT IS !!! Approx. 25 feet of fence is damaged. Sign is separated at break away connection. With the 4 correct bolts and torque specifications a W.W. Tiger Team could repair the sign at no cost to the V-B taxpayers. Fence repair is beyond Tiger Team capabilities - end post is set in concrete. AENGUS - BLACKWATER

9/20/11

We will have this investigated as quickly as possible.

Kathleen Hassen
Virginia Beach City Manager's Office
khassen@vbgov.com
757-385-4242

9/20/11
In response to the concern regarding the I-264 sign and the damaged fence, these matters have been reported to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) maintenance contractor by City staff.

Kathleen Hassen
Virginia Beach City Manager's Office
khassen@vbgov.com
757-385-4242

9/20/11 WWILCOX ( cc City Manager ) One week ago ( 7 days ) you posted, " I have asked the libraries about the missing Bikeways and Trails Plan ". Our question was about the ONE copy in the main library that was with tag / marking " DOES NOT CIRCULATE ". We have had windy stormy weather conditions over the city. Your " pigeon " is - 1. dead , 2. lost , 3.poorly trained / nonresponsive. Could you release another pigeon ? We are looking for the City Council voted on and approved Bikeways and Trails Plan April 26,2011. This is the same plan / booklet that todate 6 months after the fact has not been posted to the City of Virginia Beach website. What's the problem / issue ? If the city has a shortage of space on the server, one of the local media outlets could host / post as a public service. It is what it is ! AENGUS - BLACKWATER

After writing that, I was able to discuss with a librarian who said that they had two copies on the shelves, ready to be viewed. The librarian is working at make it easier to find in the cataloging system.

The Plan has been online at www.vbgov.com/bikewalk since a few days after it was adopted. It's also available at ourfuturevb.com, which is the Planning Department's web site for the City's Comprehensive Plan.

9/22/11 " SOUTH INDEPENDENCE BLVD. ", the main / direct route from our Town Center and the City municipal center at Princess Anne Rd. It's a perfect microcosm / metaphor for the " broken window " parable within V-B. Suggest reading A. Shales 9/15/11 "Rethinking Bastiat and broken windows ". S. Indep.-"utility pole"-N0815 XB03 down for 2 months. Pole 3' from sidewalk. Exposed wires at base.Children play balance beam on horz. In V-B,S.Blvd is "broken windows ! $2.4 mil. in taxpayer cash for handful of hobby bike boys during this time of a capital constrained economy for LOCAL TAXPAYING CITIZENS ??? Beam me up Scotty , it is what it is ! AENGUS - BLACKWATER

9/25/11 John, 2 months ago you posted a simple public safety issue. On 8/4/11 "city hall" trotted out a "2008" point paper. Corrective action todate - ZERO - sidenote, one pedestrian runover. Ten months ago, Jeff posted on seeclickfix - street lamp on SE corner of Ferrell @ Kempsville is inop. On 12/1/10 "city hall" posted BLAH - BLAH. Todate,issue not resolved / closed. JOHN & JEFF, see Virginian-Pilot story dated 9/25/11- " V-B City Council candidates prepare for quick campaign ". Perhaps, candidates D. Free, M. Makela, J. Moss & P. Sherrod could address the above PUBLIC SAFETY issues and lack of prompt positive action by " city hall ". Also, the candidates could discuss making SEECLICKFIX the official "user friendly" website for reporting non-emergency V-B issues. The public issues stay public until resolved. The " city hall " filter will be removed and V-B TAXPAYERS will stay aware of what they are paying for. AENGUS - BLACKWATER

9/26/11wwilcox- You must do better with public postings of bureaucratic ditherings. See 9/9/11 post - "THE PLAN" was simple to find on the library cataloging system. The info / help desk could not find hard copy, the "controlling factor " seems to be that " DOES NOT CIRCULATE " tag ! Our 9/20/11 post was a 7day follow up to your first library post. Once you had status update, as a simple 2 minute effort on your part, you could have done a courtesy post for V - B taxpayers -- YOUR EMPLOYER . Your posted update took place after you were " prompted ". For the record, we do follow ups. Welcome to " 2011 ", our public arena ( seeclickfix ) and our field of play. Fist bumps for all. AENGUS - BLACKWATER

9/27/11 khassen, Your standard response to "lighting outages" is somewhat specious, disingenious and vacuous. 1. Street lighting is paid for by the V-B taxpayer. 2. Poster wants light fixed. 3. If lights are not in your job description - DISENGAGE ! If you stay engaged - a possible response - Citizen ! Thank you for my full time employment, great retirement program and wonderful beni package ! Your light is important. It is my pleasure to assist. If light is not repaired within 7 day please repost we are monitoring website. XOXOXO. Ok ,Ok , a wee bit over the top - I think you may see the point. FOOTNOTE: We don't care to go down government provided mystery digital rabbit holes or yellow brick roads. Our name is not " ALICE " or " DOROTHY " ! "2012 " a new realm , AENGUS - BLACKWATER

9/27/11

Since Dominion Virginia Power does not "watch" this site, if I do not enter it into the City's system, it will sit here on SeeClickFix and not be turned in. Since I do track issues affecting the City and have always felt it is my responsibility to assist our citizens whenever possible, I enter these into the City's system, but I feel it is important for the person posting the outage to understand what is being done and also know of other avenues for reporting outages. If I "disengage" as you suggest, that is not providing the assistance I believe our citizens deserve. I am sorry if you do not agree with that, but I believe it is appropriate. If you would like to discuss this issue in person, please do not hesitate to call me at the number below.

Kathleen Hassen
Virginia Beach City Manager's Office
khassen@vbgov.com
385-4242

9/28/11 khassen - Kathleen, Your post invited us to contact you and discuss in person - THANKS. We are extremly busy at our end - 24 hour clock controls. Communication / coordination by text msg in 2011/12 is a must ! We ( you and us ) are communicating very effectively by text msg (seeclickfix - host ). From our end, public info. stays public. No reason for us to get caught up in one of those pesky freedom of information requests by the "media". Again, thank you for your invitation - arms length relationships work best for us. Sincerely, AENGUS - BLACKWATER

9/27/11 khassen, Much of what you are doing involving "lighting outage" is duplication of effort, below your paygrade and not making effective use of your wisdom. Routine duplicative data entry can be done by a entry level clerk, highschool intern or better yet a homebound wounded warrior - visualize Virginia Beach's own " Stephen Hawkins " in camo, a national story. Send a wounded warrior on a civilian mission. The outage process as it now exists is weak, disjointed and open-ended - example look at Kempsville post by JEFF, he still has an intrest in a fix. Ten months after the post and 198 hits as of today, issue not closed. WHY ??? Does the power company have a laptop / I-phone ? They need to engage and post dates of resolution / lights on ! The V-B taxpayer is owed this simple courtesy. AENGUS - BLACKWATER

9/29/11 S.Indep. Blvd. & Edwin Dr. - High usage intersection. Edwin Dr. main entry point for Mt. Trashmore. Crosswalk markings not fully discernable. No pedestrian info / warning signs posted. Serious conflict exists between peds and N. bound " distracted drivers " turning right onto Edwin Dr. Corrective action required : 1. Repaint crosswalk markings. 2. Post appropriate signage. 3. Install red light camera over right turn lane. We've taken the liberty to install a project / progress monitoring apparatus onsite. A friendly McCormick & Schmicks " HAPPY HOUR " wager is on. The 16 penny hot dipped galvanized nail monitoring apparatus will rust before the PUBLIC SAFETY issue corrective action is started / completed. Will this require a 5 year study / plan? If funding is tight, dip into some of that $2.4 million of found money for the Shore Drive " PEDAL PATH " !!! AENGUS - BLACKWATER

9/29/11

Traffic Engineering staff will investigate these concerns and a response will be posted as soon as possible. If there are any additional questions in the meantime, please let me know.

Kathleen Hassen
Virginia Beach City Manager's Office
khassen@vbgov.com
757-385-4242

9/30/11 khassen Kathleen, Thanks for your prompt post of 9/29/11 - THUMBS UP ! Please, please, NEVER feel under the gun or pressure from us. We fully understand your role. You didn't lay the tracks, you don't control the throttle, you can't reach up and just toot the horn - but you can catch H_ _ _ if the train looks as if it's going to jump the track - it's all about " THE OPTICS ". We're willing to ride the cowcatcher with you - a fantastic ride and view - downside, bugs in the teeth. Choices - pick em off or choke em down. Google - NORFOLK STORM RUGBY. Fist bump ? Sincerely, AENGUS and ASSOCIATES

10/02/11 khassen Kathleen, Item 3 of our post 9/29/11. Your post 9/29/11 - Traffic Engineering..........Some "distracted drivers" (txtmsging while stopped) do not hold firm on brakes and drift across stop bar (that big white stripe). DISTRACTED DRIVERS ARE DANGEROUS,THE PRICE OF ADMISSION INTO THE CROSSWALK AREA SHOULD BE SERIOUS CASH ! We did some quick research , patented solution may not exist. Suggest cameras facing drivers " photo and ticket " drivers that have encroached beyond stop bar. 1."City taxpayers" - increased "tax" revenue. 2. pedestrians in wheelchairs safer.3. " Distracted drivers", in time, taken off the road - out of the auto and forced to " RIDE THE TIDE " full-time. 4. Provide additional need / justification for extending the " TIDE " to Town Center Station. On many levels this post has good optics and good metrics for all but those " distracted drivers' WIN WIN. AENGUS - BLACKWATER

10/03/11 Dominion Virginia Power - Safety Director, at dom.com/contact/index.jsp. Please read posts at seeclickfix for city of V-B, posts place Dominion in bad light as slow / non-responsive to outages. Pay attention to post - "street light on south east corner of Ferrell @ Kempsville is inop.- post 10 months old and not resolved. Also read add'l post by AENGUS-8/26/11-".....a significant number of non-functioning street lights.....". Additionally, go to post -"getting across Independence Bl., see AENGUS post 9/22/11- S. Indep. utility pole NO815XBO3..... exposed wires...." and AENGUS post 8/23/11- "a plethora (too many to count ) of street lights......" When a street light pole is knocked down is it ok to leave wires exposed ? Does Dominion have a tag-out policy ? What is the avg. time it takes to fix a "light outage" ? What is the avg. time it takes to replace broken /downed light poles ? Delays are a dangerous PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE. AENGUS - BLACKWATER

10/4/11 Dominion Virginia Power - Safety Director at dom.com/contact/index.jsp This past weekend someone knocked down street light pole JO49 on South Blvd. Pole base has 3 exposed wires extending above the base. Wire ends have a couple wraps of black electrical tape that fall off in a short period of time leaving bare wires exposed to the public / curious children. Does Dominion have a tagout policy ? This is the exact same condition that exists at pole number NO815XBO3 on South Inpependence Blvd. In what timeframe will these poles be replaced ? If they can not be replaced shortly, at least remove the broken pieces. If by chance another crash takes place in the same place innocent people / children could be shish kebabed on an old concrete light pole that should have been promptly replaced.THIS IS A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE! AENGUS - BLACKWATER

10/4/11 JOHN, Read Virginian-Pilot story of 10/4/11 titled "Field trips? Try Bay trips". These students are part of an environmental education program. The initative is titled - "Virginia Beach Systemic Environmental Literacy Program". The teaching syllabus should include field trips to V-B homeless encampments. The purpose of these trips is not to embarass the homeless. The students can project the sewage load on the Bay from these encampments. Possibly some of the schools could adopt the people of the encampments for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The students should not get enmeshed, just get together some food and clean dry socks for the freezing winds of winter. The school bus could stop at the encampment at S. Indep. Blvd. and I-264 overpass. The students could conduct "water testing" on that filthy fluid at the bottom of the underpass. AENGUS - BLACKWATER

10/5/11 WWILCOX ( C.C. City Manager ) In your post 14 days ago you mentioned "THE PLAN" is on line at other locations. "THE PLAN" is a major end product of the Bikeways and Trails Advisory Committee. The website references "THE PLAN" 3 times but never the locations of "THE PLAN" ! The new website has been "SANITIZED" and is incomplete. The site does not post the following information: 1. Time and place of meetings. 2. Minutes of past meetings. 3. Agenda for October meeting. 4. Complete minutes / trip report of August meeting / field trip. Report should include location of field trip, list of attendees and itemized expense report. BIKEWAYS AND TRAILS ADVISORY COMMITTEE WEBSITE IS GOVERNMENTAL AMATEURISH AT BEST OR BUREAUCRATIC DEVOID AT THE WORST ! It is, what it is, AENGUS - BLACKWATER

10/6/11 Sidewalk in front of Best Buy on South Indepedence Blvd "The Sidewalk Ends Here" meets another "Broken Window" on S. Indep. Blvd. At I-264 on ramp the sidewalk just ENDS ! In the words of our favorite philosopher - Yogi Berra - "It's deja vu all over again". AENGUS - BLACKWATER

Thank you for pointing this out. The problem of traveling thru each of the I-264 interchanges was noted in the Bikeways and Trails Plan, Task 6B.1.1: "Improve bike-ped connections over and under I-264 and I-64." Staff has been discussing how to improve this site.

10/6/11

Traffic Engineering staff investigated the intersection of Edwin Drive and S. Independence Boulevard for pedestrian safety improvements. They are recommending installation of "turning vehicles yield to pedestrians" signs at all four corners of this intersection. They expect this work to be completed in three to four weeks. A work order has also been submited to remark the faded crosswalk markings.

In regard to the request for installation of red light cameras, staff will evaluate this intersection when they are ready to expand the Photo Safe Program throughout the city. They are currently reviewing a contract to have the existing cameras at 13 intersections evaluated. Based on the outcome, changes may be made.

I hope this information is helpful.

Kathleen Hassen
Virginia Beach City Manager's Office
khassen@vbgov.com
757-285-4242

Please join us on Monday for the next BTAC meeting. We will be meeting at the Landscape Mgmt Bldg at 4141 Dam Neck Rd.
1. BTAC's web page notes the time and place of meetings.
2. BTAC's web page will contain the most recently approved meeting minutes.
3. We will update the agenda shortly.
4. The minutes for the August BTAC meeting indicate where we went, who attended, etc. There were no special expenses incurred. We used a City van to travel.

Staff reviewed the sidewalk situation at Baxter & Independence and developed a schematic plan for improving conditions. This plan will be refined and then prioritized against all of the other similar needs around the City.

10/6/11wwilcox ( c.c. City Manager ) This date at 1830 hours went to home page for Bikeways and Trails Advisory Committee - no meeting place or time mentioned, no proposed adgenda, no link to past meeting minutes and no link to that sparkling "JEWEL" of THE ALL MALE COMMITTEE -- "T H E P L A N" !!! It is what it is, AENGUS - BLACKWATER

10/6/11 2130 HOURS JEFF & JOHN, Read "PILOT WARRIOR" story titled, Walkway can't come soon enough to Bayside in todays Beacon. We just wrapped a Mc & S happy hour mtg. After way too much - "yada, yada, yada" - going into post production and editing of videos for YOUTUBE posts. Keep your productions tight approx. 3 min. Background music will be ELP ( Emerson, Lake and Palmer ) - go to youtube - Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends. Carry on, AENGUS - BLACKWATER

Try following this link: http://www.vbgov.com/government/departments/parks-recreation/design-development-projects/Pages/bikeways-trails-committee.aspx

It includes this paragraph:
"The committee meets the 2nd Monday of every month at 3:00 pm in the Landscape Management building at 4141 Dam Neck Road. The public is welcome to attend."

It has four links:
= Meeting Agenda (October's should show up very soon)
= Meeting Minutes (August, the most recent approved minutes)
= Mission and Goals
= Committee Member Roster

And, by all means, please come to a meeting and join in on the work.

10/12/11

This is in response to your post of 9/11/11 regarding the intersection of Baxter Road and S. Independence Boulevard. In regard to the lack of sidewalk, staff is preparing a cost estimate for approximately 200 feet of missing sidewalk along Baxter Road to connect to S. Independence Boulevard. The proposed project will be added to the Traffic Safety Improvement Program list and will compete for funding against similar projects on the list. Landscape Management has been asked to trim the overgrown vegetation in the area. Also, our Public Works staff has generated a work order to place gravel in the ruts/hole behind the curb on the northwest corner of the intersection. This work should be completed next week, weather permitting. I hope this information is helpful.

Kathleen Hassen
Virginia Beach City Manager's Office
khassen@vbgov.com
757-385-4242

10/27/11 City Manager's Office, Check your post of 9/1/11- some black muck has been removed.Many thousands of pounds of filthy black muck remains behind the jersey wall. This material must be hand shoveled over the wall. If this remaining material is not removed it will wash into the "RIVER WATERSHED". Suggest someone from City Manger's Office conduct an onsite inspection. AENGUS - BLACKWATER

10/27/11

We will have this looked at again.

Kathleen Hassen

11/02/11 JOHN, "GOOGLE" TWO WEBSITES - LEAGUE OF AMERICAN BICYCLISTS @ www bikeleague.org and BICYCLE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY PROGRAM. AENGUS - BLACKWATER

11/07/11 CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE, YOUR POST OF 10/12/11 - "THIS WORK SHOULD BE COMPLETED NEXT WEEK", A POINT OF CLARIFICATION MAY BE NEEDED - HOW MANY DAYS EXIST IN A CITY GOVERNMENT WEEK ? AS OF 11/O7/11 0300 HRS THE RUT IS NOT FILLED IN. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT APPROX. 1/2 CUBIC YD. OF FILL MATERIAL, THIS WOULD TAKE A PICK-UP TRUCK, TWO SHOVELS AND TWO HOURS OF TIME MAX. NO ENGINEERING REQUIRED. AENGUS - BLACKWATER

11/7/11

This is in response to your post of 10/27/11. Landscape Management staff reports they have removed the pallets and shoveled out debris from the drainage pan. They will also be digging a swale from the overpass to the wooded area for water to run off. They are waiting for a Miss Utilities check to clear before completing the swale.

Kathleen Hassen
Virginia Beach City Manager's Office
khassen@vbgov.com
757-385-4242

Funny you add your posting, but just today I was trying to bike from Town Center to Baxter Road, and I had to take my life into my hands and bike on the street. See the attached photos of what the City has done or not done. Why can't you make a sidewalk over the ditch, and to drain the water french drain pipe would probably work.

Funny you add your posting, but just today I was trying to bike from Town Center to Baxter Road, and I had to take my life into my hands and bike on the street. See the attached photos of what the City has done or not done. Why can't you make a sidewalk over the ditch, and to drain the water french drain pipe would probably work.

The city of Va Beach wants more people to come to Town Center. The main way to get there from people living South of Town Center is this blvd. There is no sidewalk or bike path, so this video shows how dangerous it is to bike.

11/08/11 JOHN, GOOD CLIP ! THAT CITY "all male,bike advisory committee" could add the clip to the application for the BICYCLE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY PROGRAM - you think ? That's ok, the "committee" does not need to send clips, the League of American Bicyclists can / will click on to SEECLICKFIX and review the record of "bicycle / pedestrian FRIEDLY discourse". Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends. AENGUS - BLACKWATER

11/08/11 CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE, YOUR POST OF 11/7/11 - WHAT ARE YOU ADDRESSING ? YOU NEED TO GO BACK AND REREAD YOUR POST OF 10/12/11, SUBJECT MATTER IS RUT AT SOUTH INDEPENDENCE BLVD.& BAXTER RD. THE MAIN QUESTION REMAINS - HOW MANY DAYS ARE IN A CITY GOVERNMENT WEEK ? SCRUM, AENGUS - BLACKWATER

11/8/11

I'm checking on the status of the ruts at Baxter and S. Independence to see what has held up that work. My 11/7 post was in response to your post that I noted was 10/27/11. You include a number of issues under one heading, and I am doing my best to make sure it is clear when I post a response what it relates to. There is no intent on my part to ignore an issue.

Kathleen Hassen

Acknowledged that there is no accommodation for pedestrians or cyclists along Independence Blvd where it crosses under I-264. We have begun the process of addressing this with Public Works, VDOT and FHWA.

The 2011 Bikeways and Trails Plan also notes this problem and includes a bike-ped bridge from Mt Trashmore towards Town Center as a Top Priority.

Each of these projects will be expensive and wrapped in red tape but we are addressing them diligently.

11/09/11 Ms. Hassen, Fixing the "rut" is not your "issue". You don't dispatch trucks, load fill or assign workers, the "issue" is elsewhere. AENGUS - BLACKWATER

11/09/11 JOHN, GO TO vabeachtowncenter.com/dine, FOR THOSE OF US THAT LIVE HERE WE HAVE ACCESS TO 26 GREAT DINING PLACES. IT'S A SHAME ALL OF THESE TAXPAYING / JOB PROVIDING BUSINESSES ARE CUT OFF FROM THE MASSIVE RECREATIONAL BIKE RIDING POPULATION SOUTH OF I-264. IT IS WHAT IT IS, AENGUS - BLACKWATER

11/9/11

Making sure the concern is addressed by the appropriate department and the response posted back on SeeClickFix, as that is the only method we have in these cases for getting the information to you, IS my issue.

Kathleen Hassen

11/09/11 MS. HASSEN, SEECLICKFIX IS A VERY EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE "PUBLIC E-MAIL SYSTEM". ALL INFO. STAYS PUBLIC AND OUT IN THE OPEN SO AS TO AVOID THOSE TEDIOUS FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUESTS BY THE "PRESS". V.R., AENGUS - BLACKWATER

11/18/11 JOHN, READ TWO VIRGINIAN-PILOT 11/18/11 STORIES TITLED "TOWN CENTER'S DINING AND CLUBS ARE HOT, BUT RETAIL LAGS" & "LIGHT RAIL'S EARLY SUCCESS MEANS CITY IS PAYING LESS". BOTH STORIES LINK YOUR POST "WALKING OR BIKING NORTH TO TOWN CENTER..........". Goto seeclickfix hampton item#138700 & seeclickfix va beach item#138243. If "HRT" ran a Town Center shuttle service you could load your bike on the bus and get around that dangerous I-264 choke point that most likely will never be fixed. We in Town Center welcome you and your cash with open arms and registers. Please stay off the I-264 section of S.Independence Blvd. on your bike ,as you know from your video clip it's EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. "ELP WELCOME", AENGUS - BLACKWATER

11/2711 City manager's office, the "rut" at S. Independence Blvd & Baxter Rd. has not been filled in, approx. 1/2 cu. yd. of material is required.

12/02/11 City manager's office , Please review your post of 10/6/11. As of this date - no signs and no paint. AENGUS - BLACKWATER

12/5/11

Due to the backlog of work, as well as weather, there has been a delay in the pavement marking and sign work order schedules. Staff advises that the replaement of the faded crosswalk will be completed this week, and the signage will be installed within the next two weeks, weather permitting. We apologize for the delay.

Kathleen Hassen
Virginia Beach City Manager's Office
khassen@vbgov.com
757-385-4242

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knlPLMGM1os

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knlPLMGM1os

Issue removal