Minutes 06/09/2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

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June 9. 2009 Discussion: . DMHMRSAS is committed to providing funds and/or services that will increase individuals' ability to reside in the community and/or increase their ability to be discharged from institutions and into community placements. . Without guardianship, some individuals with Mental Retardation are at risk of institutionalization. Others, who are residing in institutions, may not be able to move into the community until guardianship is obtained. Financial Impact: . No local match funding is required. Recommended Action: . Adoption of an ordinance. Vision principle: Thriving Neighborhoods and a Sense of Community. Next Steps Following Council Action: . If the requested appropriation is approved, the Director of DBHS will ensure funds are properly dispersed and are used to fund up to $5,250 of the cost to obtain guardianship for each individual. Motion by Ms. Randall, and seconded by Mr. Heretick, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: "ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE IN THE FY 2009-2010 BEHAVIORAL HEAL THCARE SERVICES FUND THE SUM OF $5,250 ALLOCATED BY THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, MENTAL RETARDATION AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES TO THE PORTSMOUTH DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEAL THCARE SERVICES TO FUND A PORTION OF THE COST FOR OBTAINING GUARDIANSHIP FOR FIVE INDIVIDUALS WITH A DIAGNOSIS OF MENTAL RETARDATION." Ayes: Heretick, Moody, Psi mas, Randall, Whitehurst, Holley Nays: None 09 - 316 - Adoption of a resolution urging the Commonwealth of Virginia to advance high-speed passenger rail connection to Southside Hampton Roads as a high priority initiative. Vision principle: Bold New Directions, Robust and Prospering Economy, Pride of Past, Promise of Future. Background: . In 1995, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation approved a Hampton Roads to Richmond link to the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor . A series of studies by Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (VDRPT) and the Federal Rail Agency (FRA) identified two viable routes for the Hampton Roads link: 1) the Peninsula/CSX route; and 2) the Southside/Norfolk Southern route. . Presently, VDRPT is "recalibrating" a 2006 Draft Tier I Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that should be completed this summer. It will be forwarded to FRA which will then choose the preferred corridor. It is imperative that the South Hampton Roads region be included in the preferred high speed passenger rail corridor selection. . In April 2008, VDRPT completed a preliminary cost estimate for both routes. The Southside/NS route estimate is $475.4 Million; the Peninsula/CSX route is $330 Million. . In 2009 President Barack Obama released a high speed rail strategic plan (HSRSP) outlining the nation's vision for high speed rail in the United States. The President has also dedicated $8 billion in federal funding for the introduction of high speed rail in the United States in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), with an additional $5 billion over 5 years in his FY 2010 Executive Budget. . It is important that the Commonwealth of Virginia include high speed rail as a priority in order for this region to remain competitive in the pursuit of federal funding.