Minutes 09/26/2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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September 26, 2017 Next Steps Following Council Action:  The Finance Department will take the necessary budgetary action. In addition, the Chief of Police or her designee will provide grant management and oversight. Motion by Ms. Lucas-Burke, and seconded by Ms. Psimas, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: “ORDINANCE ACCEPTING A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $43,641 FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION THROUGH THE VIRGINIA HIGHWAY SAFETY OFFICE AND APPROPRIATING SAID FUNDS IN THE FY 2018 GRANTS FUND FOR USE BY THE PORTSMOUTH POLICE DEPARTMENT TO DETER DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL.” Ayes: Cherry, Clark, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Psimas, Whitaker, Rowe Nays: None 17 - 427 - Adoption of an ordinance accepting a grant in the amount of $15,656 from the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through the Virginia Highway Safety Office and appropriating said funds in the FY 2018 Grants Fund for use by the Portsmouth Police Department to increase usage of occupant restraints in vehicles. Background:  The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles provides grants to support the implementation of highway safety projects by state, local, non-profit, and higher education projects that focus on five focus areas: support statewide goals; identify problems experienced by high crash severity problems; creatively incorporate alcohol awareness and occupant protections safety; innovative projects that are applicable statewide; and/or have statewide significance and address the federal program areas under Section 1906, Public Law 109-59. One of these grants is the Selective Enforcement Occupant Protection Grant.  The purpose of the Selective Enforcement Occupant Protection Grant is to initiate programs and activities that will contribute to appropriate use of occupant protection devices, such as safety belts, airbags, and child safety seats. Discussion:  The Portsmouth Police Department was awarded the amount of $15,656.00 from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through the Virginia Highway Safety Office (VHSO).  The Portsmouth Police Department will utilize a multi-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 inadequate occupant restraint usage is among the major factors contributing to personal injuries resulting from vehicular crashes. Through increased enforcement and educational efforts, we intend to significantly increase seatbelt usage 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 and saturation patrols by the Portsmouth Police Department. Financial Impact:  The city is required to provide an in-kind match of $7,828.00, which amount previously has been appropriated in the Police Department’s budget. The city has no obligation once the grant has ended. Recommended Action:  Adoption of the ordinance.