Minutes 09/24/2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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September 24, 2013 13 - 403 -Adoption of an ordinance accepting grant funding in the amount of $45,948 from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation and appropriating said amount in the FY 2013-14 Grants Fund for use by the Police Department to reduce driving under the influence of alcohol. Vision Principles: Neighborhoods and a Sense of Community and Pride of Past. Background: • The Portsmouth Police Department has been awarded grant funding in the amount of $45,948 from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through the Virginia Highway Safety Office. • Since estimated revenue in the FY 2013-2014 Grants Fund is increased by $45,948, that amount will be appropriated in the FY 2013-2014 Grants Fund. Discussion: • The Portsmouth Police Department will utilize amulti-faceted approach to improve traffic safety in the city of Portsmouth as well as in the surrounding cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk and Norfolk. Many of the motorists in Portsmouth travel to and from our neighboring cities. It is certain that alcohol is among one of the major factors contributing to personal injuries resulting from vehicular crashes. Through these increased enforcement and educational efforts, we intend to significantly reduce the Driving Under Influence (DUI) and to reduce crashes that have the potential of death and serious injuries. • The funds received will enable Portsmouth Police Department to provide overtime payments for conducting checkpoints, problem area saturation patrols, DMV approved training and purchasing associated equipment needed by the PPD. Financial Impact: • The grant award amount of $45,948 by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through the Virginia Highway Safety Office provides funding for the Portsmouth Police Department. The City does have to provide an in-kind match of $22,974. • There is no obligation from the City once the grant has ended. Staff Recommends: • Adoption of an ordinance to appropriate the amount of $45,948 in grant funding from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through the Virginia Highway Safety Office to the Portsmouth Police Department. Vision Principles: Neighborhoods and a Sense of Community and Pride of Past. Next Steps Following Council Action: • The Chief of Police or his designee will provide grant management and oversight. Motion by Mr. Moody, and seconded by Mr. Edmonds, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: "ORDINANCE ACCEPTING GRANT FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $45,948 FROM THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND APPROPRIATING SAID AMOUNT IN THE FY 2013-14 GRANTS FUND FOR USE BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO REDUCE DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL." Ayes: Cherry, Edmonds, Meeks, Moody, Psimas, Randall, Wright Nays: None 13 - 404 -Adoption of a resolution supporting the City's application to the Transportation Alternatives Program for the rail to trail conversion of the former Commonwealth Railway tracks in the City. Vision Principles: Change and New Directions, Lifelong Learning Community, Neighborhoods and a Sense of Community, Quality of Life, and Efficient Responsive Government.