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2000 SESSION

002980520
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 166
FLOOR AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE
(Proposed by Delegate Joannou
on March 9, 2000)
(Patron Prior to Substitute--Senator Quayle)
Establishing the Metropolitan Hampton Roads Regional Urban Services Study Commission to study the feasibility of establishing regional cooperation to provide urban services in the Hampton Roads region.

WHEREAS, Virginia’s unique authorization of independent cities predates the eighteenth century when essential urban services could be provided effectively and efficiently by city governments, leaving rural counties to their conduct of agrarian pursuits; and

WHEREAS, Virginia’s burgeoning population has concentrated in twentieth century conurbations, designated metropolitan areas, where essential urban services must be developed, funded and shared by many competing local governments; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth has an interest for metropolitan areas to provide essential urban services effectively and efficiently by:

1. Managing wastewater and its reuse;

2. Managing solid waste collection, disposal and recycling;

3. Providing a potable water supply; and

4. Providing other essential public health, safety and welfare services; and

WHEREAS, a metropolitan area of 2,000 square miles with 1.5 million residents, housed in a cluster of 15 diverse cities, counties and towns, has coalesced around the Hampton Roads harbor where population growth and urban expansion persist, challenging the region to provide essential urban services; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That a Metropolitan Hampton Roads Urban Services Study Commission be established to study the feasibility of establishing regional cooperation to provide urban services in the Hampton Roads region. For purposes of this resolution, the Hampton Roads region shall include the cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Virginia Beach. The Commission shall be composed of eighteen members, which shall include ten legislative members and eight nonlegislative members as follows: four members of the Senate, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections; six members of the House of Delegates, to be appointed by the Speaker in accordance with the principles of Rule 16 of the House of Delegates; and a representative from the governing body of each of the cities in the region, to be selected by each governing body. Members of the Commission on Local Government may serve as nonvoting, ex officio members.

In conducting its study, the Commission shall seek answers to the following questions:

1. Would it be feasible to consolidate certain services in the region, as deemed appropriate by the cities, including (i) managing wastewater and its reuse, (ii) providing a unified potable water supply, and (iii) managing solid waste, including collection, disposal and recycling?

2. What would be the best manner in which to accomplish the consolidation of such services?

3. Would it be feasible to create a regional board, and if so, what should the membership be and how should it be appointed?

4. Would it be feasible to transfer operations of the Hampton Roads Sanitation district to this board or council as well as to unify operations related to solid waste collection, disposal and recycling?

5. Are there other essential public health, safety and welfare services where consolidation may be beneficial to the region?

The Commission shall conduct at least two advertised public hearings each year in the Hampton Roads area.

The direct costs of the study shall not exceed $18,000.

The Division of Legislative Services shall provide staff support for the study. Technical assistance shall be provided by the Commission on Local Government. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Commission, upon request.

The Commission shall complete its work in time to submit an interim report by December 20, 2000, and shall submit its final findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 2002 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may withhold expenditures or delay the period for the conduct of the study.