Minutes 06/10/2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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June 10, 2014 • The Society opened the Museum in December 2013 and operates it with volunteers. Discussion: • The City and Society mutually desire to establish along-term relationship to operate and maintain the Museum for the educational use and enjoyment by citizens of Portsmouth and visitors. Financial Impact: • The City will maintain and operate the Museum as part of the City's Department of Museums. • The FY15 Budget includes $37,157 in part-time staffing and operational expenditures for the Portsmouth Colored Community Library Museum. Recommended Action: • Adoption of the ordinance that authorizes and directs the City Manager to execute the Memorandum of Agreement with the African-American Historical Society of Portsmouth, Inc. effective July 1, 2014. Vision Principle: Neighborhoods and a Sense of Community. Next Steps Following Council Action: • Complete the execution of the Memorandum of Agreement between the City of Portsmouth and the African-American Historical Society, Inc. Motion by Mr. Moody, and seconded by Mr. Meeks, to adopt the following resolution, and was adopted by the following vote: "RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA AND THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC., FOR THE OPERATION OF THE PORTSMOUTH COLORED COMMUNITY LIBRARY MUSEUM ON ELM AVENUE. WHEREAS, the African-American Historical Society, Inc., ("the Society") is a group of community volunteers committed to preserving and interpreting the history of the African American community in the City of Portsmouth; and WHEREAS, the Society was instrumental in preserving the Portsmouth Colored Community Library building which was relocated to its present location at 904 Elm Avenue in 2007, and in raising private contributions to renovate the building's interior as a history museum ("the Museum"); and WHEREAS, the City and Society mutually desire to establish a long-term relationship to operate and maintain the Museum for the educational use and enjoyment by citizens of Portsmouth and visitors; and WHEREAS, the City intends to maintain and operate the Museum as part of the City's Department of Museums and has included funding in the FY 2015 budget for part- time staffing and operational expenditures. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia that it hereby authorizes and directs the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Agreement with the African-American Historical Society, Inc., related to the maintenance and operation of the Portsmouth Colored Community Library Museum at 904 Elm Avenue under such terms as he shall deem in the best interests of the City of Portsmouth." Ayes: Cherry, Edmonds, Meeks, Moody, Psimas, Randall, Wright Nays: None