Minutes 02/11/2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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February 11, 2014 14 - 48 -Adoption of an ordinance accepting a grant in the amount of $20,000 from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and appropriating said amount in the FY 2013-14 Grants Fund to enhance the Portsmouth Haz-Mat Team's equipment, training, and technical expertise. Vision Principle: Neighborhoods and a Sense of Community. Background: • The Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) has awarded the City of Portsmouth $20,000.00 in the 2014 Haz-Mat Team Equipment, Exercise, and Training Grant. • The funds received enable Portsmouth to maintain a superior level of readiness with regard to equipment, training, and technical expertise in dealing with hazardous materials as required by VDEM. Discussion: • All expenditures must qualify under the grant guidelines. • This funding is instrumental in developing hazardous materials response capabilities for Portsmouth's Hazardous Materials Team; lead City for the Southside Regional Hazardous Materials Team. Financial impact: • These grant funds require no cash match. Recommended Action: • Adoption of the ordinance. Vision Principle: Neighborhoods and a Sense of Community. Next Steps Following Council Action: • Move forward to achieve grant goals. Motion by Ms. Psimas, and seconded by Mr. Edmonds, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: "ORDINANCE ACCEPTING A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $20,000 FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND APPROPRIATING SAID AMOUNT IN THE FY 2013-14 GRANTS FUND TO ENHANCE THE PORTSMOUTH HAZ-MAT TEAM'S EQUIPMENT, TRAINING, AND TECHNICAL EXPERTISE." Ayes: Cherry, Edmonds, Moody, Psimas, Randall, Wright Nays: None 14 - 49 -Adoption of an ordinance to amend Chapter 37 of the Code of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia (2006) by amending Section 37-132 thereof to authorize a charge to taxicab passengers for use of a tolled facility. Vision Principle: Efficient, Responsive Government. Background: • Chapter 37 of the City Code establishes conditions, regulations and restrictions for the operation of taxicabs, including rates of fare in Section 37-132. Discussion: • The tolls for vehicles utilizing the Mid-Town Tunnel, Downtown Tunnel and MLK Extension will apply to taxicabs effective February 1, 2014. The toll for use of the South Norfolk Jordan Bridge is already in effect. • The ability for taxicab operators to pass the cost of the toll onto the taxicab customer is not expressly stated in Section 37-132. • The proposed amendment to City Code Section 37-132 allows the operators of taxicabs to recover the round-trip toll cost from the customer.