Minutes 07/24/2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

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July 24, 2018  The Office of the City Manager, Office of the City Attorney, Portsmouth Police Department, and several other City Departments have collaborated to review Portsmouth’s existing parade/assembly regulations and to draft proposed City Code revisions for Council’s consideration. Discussion:  The purpose of the proposed Code revisions is to ensure the free and safe passage of pedestrians and vehicles on the public rights-of-way, to ensure free and safe access to public areas, and otherwise to regulate and control the time, place and manner of activities that would otherwise threaten the public health, safety, and welfare, while also encouraging the exercise of rights under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution in the city.  The Code revisions provide a reasonable timetable for the issuance of permits for demonstrations or assemblies after the City’s receipt of a complete application, with a thirty day outside limit for major events and an expedited process for less intensive events. Financial Impact:  N/A Recommended Action:  Adoption of the ordinance. Next Steps Following Council Action:  City staff will implement the permitting process established in the Code amendment. 1. Mark Geduldig-Yatrofsky, P. O. Box, asked that City Council defer this item to bring back as a public hearing item. Motion by Mr. Moody, and seconded by Mr. Smith, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: “ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND REORDAIN CHAPTER 22 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA (2006) BY AMENDING SECTION 22-12 AND ADDING A NEW SECTION 22-12.1 FOR THE PURPOSE OF ESTABLISHING REGULATIONS FOR PARADES AND PUBLIC ASSEMBLIES.” Ayes: Clark, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Psimas, Smith, Whitaker, Rowe Nays: None 18 - 287 - Adoption of an ordinance accepting a Byrne Justice Assistance Grant in the amount of $79,830 from the United States Department of Justice and appropriating said funds in the FY 2019 Grants Fund for use by the Portsmouth Police Department. Background:  The Portsmouth Police Department (PPD) has been awarded grant funding in the amount of $79,830.00 from the Department of Justice (DOJ) – Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to provide funds for programs and specialized equipment, as well as continued funding to support the Drug Treatment Court Program. Discussion:  The JAG 2017 funds will be used to provide funding for support of the Crime / PreventionPolice Athletic League youth program, Replacement/Expansion Mobile Data Computers (MDC), Tablets for PPD Executive Staff, Camera System Upgrade/Expansion and Drug Court Treatment Program. Financial Impact:  There is no local match.