Minutes 05/25/2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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May 25, 2004 - City Manager's Report - 04 - 195 - Adoption of an ordinance to accept a grant in the amount of $175,000 and to appropriate this amount in the Grants Fund for the Weed and Seed initiative. This grant from the Department of Justice provides for initiatives to "weed" out criminal behavior and "seed" in healthy alternatives for individuals and families in the Nehemiah Vision neighborhoods. Recommendation: · Adoption of an ordinance to accept a grant in the amount of $175,000 and to appropriate this amount in Grants Fund for the Weed and Seed initiative. Purpose and Need: · The Department of Justice, Executive Office of Weed and Seed, has approved a grant in the amount of $175,000 to fund implementation of a resident-driven strategy to improve the quality of life in the Nehemiah Vision neighborhoods, the officially recognized site in Portsmouth. Neighborhoods include: Brighton, Dale Homes, Ebenezer Plaza, Effingham Plaza, Hope Village, Lincoln Park, Piedmont Heights, Portside Manor, Prentis Park, Prentis Place, Rosedale, Southside, Southside Gardens, Swanson Homes, and PortCente Commerce Park. · The strategy is designed to "weed" out criminal behavior and "seed" in healthy individuals, families and neighborhoods. · The initiative is a comprehensive plan that promotes aggressive law enforcement; community policing; prevention, intervention and treatment; and neighborhood restoration strategies. · The initiative is a partnership between residents, agencies, faith organizations, civic organizations, and businesses to concentrate efforts in the fifteen neighborhoods that comprise the designated site. Financial Impact: · This is a reimbursable grant that requires no match. · Funding is for the first year of grant availability for five years. · The Weed and Seed Steering Committee leverages resources from a variety of partners to fully fund and sustain the initiative. Motion by Mr. Whitehurst, and seconded by Ms. Randall, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: "ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE $175,000 IN THE GRANTS FUND FOR THE WEED AND SEED INITIATIVE." Ayes: Benn, Griffin, Moody, Pitts, Randall, Whitehurst, Holley Nays: None 04 - 196 - Adoption of an ordinance to accept a grant in the amount of $78,473 and to appropriate this amount in the Grants Fund for the STEP (Support, Training, Education and Prosecution of Violent Crime Against Women) Program. The year's program will provide direct services to more than 650 victims. The local cash match of $19,618 has been budgeted.