Minutes 01/27/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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3O0 January_27~1998 Pur so eandNeed: The City of Portsmouth faces the challenge of funding the demolition of abandoned structures, which cause a number of negative effects on the surrounding properties and community. · The funds secured through the AHCFG are for the expansion of the number of structures to be demolished in the target area of Brighton, Prentis Park and Prentis Place. · In addition to paying for the actual demolition of the structures, these funds will be used to cover associated costs such as newspaper advertisements and title searches necessary for meeting the State's requirements of notification of action to all lien holders. · Approximately 37 parcels have been initially identified-for demolition and/or question. Financial Imoact: This State award covers 1/3 of the total budget of $300,000. The local match of $200,000, previously allocated by City Council from CBDG funds, was the one major factor that allowed the grant in its entirety to be awarded to the City of Portsmouth. · These grant funds and the local match must be spent by June 30, 1998. Work is well advanced for meeting this deadline. Motion by Mr. Martin, and seconded by Mr. Robinett, to transfer $100,000 from the Grants Contingency Account for the Abandoned Housing Clearance Fund Grant (AHCFG) Program, and was adopted by the following: Ayes: Benn, Clemons, Griffin, Pitts, Robinett, Holley Nays: None 98-20 Adoption of a motion to transfer $80,884 from the Grants Contingency Account for the Support Training Education Program, Council on Violence Against Women. Recommendation: Adoption of a motion to transfer $8{~,884 from the Grants Contingency Account for the Support Training Education Program (STEP) Grant on Violence against Women Pur ose and Need: · 'The Criminal Justice Board has approved a grant for the City of Portsmouth to continue STEP. This is the second year of a four-year grant. This program, "Prevention of Violence Against Women," employs a full-time special prosecutor and a victim advocate to assist female victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Because of the high number of incidences and the sensitivity of these types of cases, more time is needed to effectively prosecute them. A Council, that includes representatives from the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office, H.E.R. (battered women's shelter), Police Department, Magistrate's Office, Maryview Medical Center, Navy Family Advocacy Program, Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, was established to develop a coordinated and cooperative approach in the manner in which these victims were treated. This partnership has resulted in less reluctance by victims to report incidences, more cooperation among agencies thus resulting in cases getting to court faster and an increase in successful prosecution.