Minutes 08/22/2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

August 22, 2017 17 - 366 - Adoption of an ordinance accepting a grant in the amount of $382,595 from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services and appropriating said amount in the FY 2018 Grants Fund for use by the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office’s for the Victim Witness Program. Background:  The City of Portsmouth has received a grant from DCJS for continuation funding of the Victim Witness Grant, administered by the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.  This grant program has grown over the past 20 years to comprise six full-time appointees who served over 1,400 victims last year.  This program provides for comprehensive information and direct services to crime victims and witnesses. Discussion:  The Victim Witness Grant will provide for six full-time appointees dedicated 100% to the grant’s objectives.  It is estimated that this program will serve in excess of 1,400 victims annually. Financial Impact:  There is no cash match required by the City. Recommended Action:  Adoption of proposed ordinance. Next Steps Following Council Action:  The Finance Department will make the necessary budgetary adjustments. Motion by Ms. Lucas-Burke, and seconded by Mr. Clark, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: “ORDINANCE ACCEPTING A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $382,595 FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES AND APPROPRIATING SAID AMOUNT IN THE FY 2018 GRANTS FUND FOR USE BY THE COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE FOR THE VICTIM WITNESS PROGRAM.” Ayes: Cherry, Clark, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Whitaker, Rowe Nays: None 17 - 367 - Adoption of an ordinance authorizing the transfer of $134,557.96 from the FY 2018 Social Services Fund to the FY 2018 Grants Fund for the implementation of the Employment for TANF Participants program. Background:  On July 11, 2017 City Council adopted Ordinance 2017-55, which accepted and appropriated Employment for TANF Participants grant funding in the amount of $122,269 from the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS).  The funding was appropriated to the FY 2018 Social Services Fund.  Council had previously appropriated the required local match of $12,288.96 in the Social Services Fund through adoption of the FY 2018 City budget.  The grant is designed to assist participants of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) in preparing to enter the workforce and maintaining employment with the prospect of a career path and wage growth. Discussion:  The city’s Social Services Fund is for specific categories of drawdown funding requiring regular interfacing with the VDSS accounting system.  After receiving and reviewing additional information from VDSS, the city has determined that the Employment for TANF Participants grant funding is not the type of funding that is generally placed in the Social Services Fund.