Minutes 03/13/2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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March 13, 2012 Discussion: • As an integral component of the Portsmouth Continuum of Care Housing Plan, the Shelter Plus Care Program has provided an opportunity for affordable, permanent and safe supportive housing choices to over 130 homeless citizens since 1994. • The Shelter Plus Care and Supportive Housing Programs provide housing, case management, supportive groups and financial management, while encouraging stability, employment and independence for individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS and/or mental health, intellectual disabilities, and substance abuse disabilities. • This program has contributed favorably and has proven to be a positive influence in the effort to improve neighborhood quality, economic development and fiscal strength of the city. Financial Impact: • There is a cash match of $17,350 for the Supportive Housing Grant. The source of this match is DBHS Mental Health Funds. Recommended Action: • Adoption of an ordinance. Vision Principle: Neighborhoods and a Sense of Community. Next Steps Following Council Action: • If the requested appropriation is approved, the Director of DBHS will ensure Shelter Plus Care and Supportive Housing Grant Programs will continue to provide housing services to the homeless consumers they serve. Motion by Mr. Whitehurst, and seconded by Mr. Heretick, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: "ORDINANCE ACCEPTING A SHELTER PLUS CARE GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $457,188 AND A SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $69,013 FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND APPROPRIATING THE TOTAL SUM OF $526,201 IN THE FY 2011-12 BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES FUND." Ayes: Cherry, Edmonds, Heretick, Moody, Randall, Whitehurst, Wright Nays: None 12 - 104 -Adoption of a resolution establishing general guidelines for economic development incentives. Vision Principles: Change and New Directions and a Robust Economy for Working Men and Women. Background: • The City of Portsmouth has no established guidelines for the provision of discretionary economic development incentives. Discretionary incentives are widely considered a necessary tool to change corporate behavior and to induce the creation of jobs and investment by business. Their use is common practice in economic development. The attached documents were discussed among City Council and its development partners at an economic development work session on January 23, 2012. Discussion: • Formal action is recommended by City Council to establish general guidelines for the use of discretionary economic development incentives. • The general guidelines provide public policy for such use and outline the types of incentives, the public benefits expected to be derived from their use, an accepted rate of return, the sources from which incentives may be derived, procedures under which they may be awarded and safeguards to protect the investment of public resources. • The general guidelines further authorize the City Manager to promulgate a schedule of relevant categories of businesses and industries with recommended incentive levels for each. The schedule shall be subject to City Council review and comment prior to its implementation.