Laserfiche WebLink
June 23, 2020 <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br /> The City of Portsmouth has received a grant from DCJS for continuation funding <br />of the Victim Witness Grant, administered by the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. <br /> <br /> For over 20 years, this grant program has increased in funding, positions and <br />victim advocacy. Additional funding requested in the new funding cycle has increased <br />this grant from $382,595 to $552,761. <br /> <br /> This program provides for comprehensive information and direct services to crime <br />victims and witnesses. <br /> <br />Discussion: <br /> <br /> The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office Victim Witness Grant is approved for <br /> <br />seven full-time appointees that will be 100% dedicated to the grant’s objectives. <br /> <br /> It is estimated that this program will serve in excess of 1,400 victims annually. <br /> <br />Financial Impact: <br /> <br /> <br />There is no cash match required by the City. <br /> <br />Recommended Action: <br /> <br /> <br />Adoption of the ordinance. <br /> <br />Next Steps Following Council Action: <br /> <br /> The Finance Department will make the necessary budgetary adjustment. <br /> <br /> The continuation of our Victim Witness Program focusing on serving victims of <br />crime in our City. <br /> <br />Motion by Mr. Clark, and seconded by Mr. Battle, to adopt the following ordinance, <br />and was adopted by the following vote: <br /> <br />“ORDINANCE ACCEPTING A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $552,761 FROM THE <br />VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES AND APPROPRIATING <br />SAID AMOUNT IN THE FY 2020 GRANTS FUND FOR USE BY THE <br />COMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE FOR THE VICTIM-WITNESS PROGRAM.” <br /> <br />Ayes: Battle, Clark, Glover, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Psimas, Rowe <br />Nays: None <br /> <br />20 - 159 - Adoption of an ordinance accepting Coronavirus Emergency <br />Supplemental Funding Program funds in the amount of $251,760 and appropriating <br />said amount in the FY 2020 Grants Fund for use by the City for the purchase of <br />equipment and services to counteract COVID-19. <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br /> <br /> The City of Portsmouth has received grant funding in the amount of $251,760 from <br />the Department of Justice (DOJ) – Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) for the purchase <br />of personal protective equipment, technology, medical and psychological services for the <br />City of Portsmouth to counteract Coronavirus. <br /> <br />Discussion: <br /> <br /> The Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF) Program will provide <br />funding to assist local units of government in preventing, preparing for, and responding <br />to the coronavirus.Funds awarded under the CESF Program must be utilized to prevent, <br /> <br />prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus. <br /> <br />Financial Impact: <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> There is no cash or in-kind match requirement from the City for this grant. In <br />addition, there is no obligation from the City once the grant has ended. <br /> <br />Recommended Action: <br /> <br /> Adoption of an ordinance <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />