Minutes 05/26/2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

May 26, 2020 “ORDINANCE ACCEPTING FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $100,000 FROM THE VIRGINIA TOURISM CORPORATION AND APPROPRIATING SAID AMOUNT INTO THE FY 2020 GRANTS FUND FOR USE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF MUSEUMS FOR THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF VIRGINIA.” Ayes: Battle, Clark, Glover, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Psimas, Rowe Nays: None 20 - 132 - Adoption of an ordinance (1) accepting Virginia Trees for Clean Water Grant funds in the amount of $4,000 from the Virginia Department of Forestry and appropriating said amount into the FY 2020 Grants Fund and (2) transferring $3,000 from the Parks, Recreation and Tourism section of the FY 2020 General Fund Budget to the FY 2020 Grants Fund Budget to serve as the required local match for the said grant. Background:  The City has received a grant for $4,000 to plant 40 native Virginia trees at Paradise Creek Nature Park. The tree species will consist of 10 Loblolly Pines, 10 Willow Oaks, 10 White Oaks, and 10 Sassafras. Discussion:  Trees intercept rain water, slowing its movement and preventing it from eroding soils. Soils eroded by storm water run-off end up delivering excess sediment to streams and polluting our water as well as habitat for fish and aquatic organisms. By allowing the soil to slowly soak up rain water instead, trees help filter rain water and recharge groundwater. Tree roots also absorb excess water and can protect areas nearby from flooding. Financial Impact:  The grant requires a dollar for dollar cash or in-kind local match. $3,000 of the local match will be provided through the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Operating Budget and the remaining $1,000 will be satisfied through in-kind services provided by volunteers from the Elizabeth River Project and the Virginia Cooperative Extension working with Parks, Recreation and Tourism staff on the project. Recommended Action:  Adoption of the ordinance. Next Steps Following Council Action:  The Finance Department will make the necessary budgetary adjustment.  Implementation of the grant through planting trees to help keep the waterways in Portsmouth clean. Motion by Ms. Lucas-Burke, and seconded by Mr. Clark, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: “ORDINANCE (1) ACCEPTING VIRGINIA TREES FOR CLEAN WATER GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,000 FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND APPROPRIATING SAID AMOUNT INTO THE FY 2020 GRANTS FUND AND (2) TRANSFERRING $3,000 FROM THE PARKS, RECREATION AND TOURISM SECTION OF THE FY 2020 GENERAL FUND BUDGET TO THE FY 2020 GRANTS FUND BUDGET TO SERVE AS THE REQUIRED LOCAL MATCH FOR THE SAID GRANT.” Ayes: Battle, Clark, Glover, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Psimas, Rowe Nays: None 20 - 133 - Adoption of an ordinance appropriating the sum of $1,000,000 from the Risk Management Fund Balance to the FY 2020 Risk Management Fund Budget.