Minutes 11/10/2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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November 10, 2015 Staff Recommends:  Adoption of a proposed ordinance. Vision Principle: Neighborhoods and a Sense of Community. Next Steps Following Council Action:  Finance will complete the necessary budget adjustments so that the Fire Department can acquire equipment, supplies, and training in support of the city’s comprehensive emergency management program. Motion by Mr. Meeks, and seconded by Ms. Psimas, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: “ORDINANCE ACCEPTING A LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $57,992 FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND APPROPRIATING SAID AMOUNT IN THE FY 2015-16 GRANTS FUND FOR USE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FIRE, RESCUE, AND EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, AND TRAINING.” Ayes: Cherry, Edmonds, Meeks, Moody, Psimas, Whitaker, Wright Nays: None 15 - 401 - Adoption of an ordinance accepting funding from the United States Department of Agriculture through the Virginia Department of Social Services in the amount of $20,000 and appropriating said amount in the FY 2015-16 Social Services Fund for the purpose of funding a part time position under the EleVAte SNAP Employment and Training Project. Vision Principles: A Robust Economy for Working Men and Women, Quality of Life and Lifelong Learning Community. Background:  In 2014, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that up to $200 million was available for the development, implementation, and evaluation of up to 10 pilot projects designed to reduce dependency and increase work effort under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) under the 2014 Farm Bill.  On April 1, 2015, the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) was awarded the SNAP Employment and Training Grant Project to pilot an effort to test existing and new employment training initiatives to increase the number of SNAP work registrants who obtain unsubsidized employment, increase earned income, and reduce reliance on public assistance.  As part of the state’s “Building Career Pathways to Success” and “Expansion of the PluggedinVA” programs, VDSS selected up to thirty Local Departments of Social Services to work with seven community colleges to offer 3,760 participants the opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials.  The Portsmouth Department of Social Services (PDSS) has been selected as an agency to participate in this program. Discussion:  The grant provides a position at the rate of $20.00 an hour for 20 hours a week for 50 weeks ($20,000.00). The position will be funded for three years or until the grant period ends.  The position will focus on participants obtaining employment and self-sufficiency by providing counseling and determining whether the applicant qualifies for the Employment Services Program. It requires the person to develop plans of participation, placement and monitoring participants in program components.  Recruitment for participants in this program for the Thomas Nelson and Tidewater Community Colleges drawing areas is slated to start on Monday, November 30, 2015. Financial Impact:  There is no financial impact to the city because the program is funded 100% by the grant.