Minutes 11/13/2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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November 13, 2012 "ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 12-21(b) AND APPENDIX A OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA (2006) TO INCREASE ASSESSMENTS IN CRIMINAL AND TRAFFIC CASES AND CERTAIN CIVIL MATTERS IN THE CIRCUIT AND DISTRICT COURTS." Ayes: Cherry, Heretick, Moody, Randall, Whitehurst, Wright Nays: None 12 - 441- Adoption of an ordinance to appropriate the sum of $65,176 in the FY 2012-13 General Fund for the City's share of the Hampton Roads Regional Jail Community Based Corrections Plan and Planning Study. Vision Principle: Efficient, Responsive Government. Background: • The Portsmouth City Council at the August 14,2012 City Council meeting approved a Resolution to direct the City Manager to pursue the transfer of the Portsmouth City Jail inmates to the Hampton Roads Regional Jail or other jail facility, so that the entire Civic Center ,including the jail, can be demolished. • Mayor Wright sent a letter to David Simons, Superintendent of the HRRJ Authority, on August 15, 2012 formally requesting HRRJ to consider, accept, or deny the inclusion and transfer of the Portsmouth inmate population at HRRJ. David Simons submitted the letter to the HRRJ Board for consideration, at their August 15, 2012 meeting. • State funding for any facility and/or staff expansion of the HRRJ is contingent upon State receipt and approval of the Community Based Corrections Plan and Planning Study. To be included in the State's upcoming budget cycle, the Plan must be submitted to the State by December 31, 2012.A vendor has been procured by the HRRJ. • The HRRJ Board at a November 2, 2012 meeting approved moving forward with the Plan and appropriated the funding, conditional upon Portsmouth's reimbursement of 80% of the cost of the study. $65,176 is 80% of the $81,470 total cost. Discussion: • If expansion of the HRRJ is determined to be needed, this PLAN will allow the HRRJ to become eligible for up to 50% reimbursement from the State. Without this PLAN, the City could be responsible for 100% of the cost. • This PLAN will assist the City in its determination of the most cost effective strategy for housing Portsmouth inmates. • This expense is not included in the FY2013 budget, thus the request for the appropriation. Financial Impact: • Beyond the described expenditure, there is no additional financial impact related to this transaction. Recommended Action: • Adoption of the ordinance. Vision Principle: Efficient, Responsive Government. Next Steps Following Council Action: • The appropriation will be implemented and the funds expended as described. 1. Sheriff Bill Watson, 701 Crawford Street, spoke in opposition to this item. 2. Lieutenant Lee Cherry, 701 Crawford Street, spoke in opposition to this item. 3. Donna Sayegh, 3104 Garland Drive, spoke in opposition to this item. Motion by Ms. Randall, and seconded by Mr. Heretick, to adopt the following ordinance, and was denied by the following vote: