Minutes 07/16/2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

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July 16, 2020 Next Steps Following Council Action:  The General Registrar/Director of Elections will notify voters by mail of the new precinct location in a timely manner and will advertise the change in the local newspaper. Motion by Mr. Moody, and seconded by Mr. Battle, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: “ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTION 10-112 OF CHAPTER 10 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA (2006), AS AMENDED, TO CHANGE THE VOTING LOCATION FOR PRECINCT NUMBER 29 FROM SAINT ANDREW’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH TO WOODROW WILSON HIGH SCHOOL, LOCATED AT 1401 ELMHURST LANE, AND TO FORMALLY CHANGE THE NAME OF PRECINCT NUMBER 29 TO “WOODROW WILSON HIGH SCHOOL”.” Ayes: Battle, Clark, Glover, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Psimas, Rowe Nays: None 20 - 180 - Adoption of an ordinance to amend Section 10-116 of Chapter 10 of the Code of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia (2006), as amended, to change the voting location for Precinct Number 33 from Pinecrest Baptist Church to Olive Branch Preschool Center, located at 415 Mimosa Road, and to formally change the name of Precinct Number 33 to “Olive Branch Preschool Center”. Motion by Ms. Psimas, and seconded by Mr. Clark, to withdraw Item 20-180 from the agenda, and was adopted by the following vote: Ayes: Battle, Clark, Glover, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Psimas, Rowe Nays: None 20 - 181 - Adoption of an ordinance accepting CARES Act funding in the amount of $81,885 from the Virginia Department of Elections and appropriating said amount into the FY 2021 Grants Fund for use by the City Registrar’s Office. Background:  The Virginia Department of Elections announced the distribution of $9 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding, granted specifically to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, domestically or internationally, for the 2020 federal election cycle. Discussion:  The Virginia Department of Elections notified local voter registration offices that CARES Act funding may be used for several expenses related to COVID-19 for the November 2020 federal elections only.  These funds may be used toward any expenditures related to the protection of the health and safety of poll workers, staff, and voters during the federal election as well as those resulting from anticipated increased demand of absentee ballots by mail costs (e.g. printing ballots, printing envelopes, postage, etc.), equipment and temporary staff. Also, local voter registration offices may utilize the funding for voter outreach to include mailings, public service announcements, etc.  The City Registrar’s Office was notified that it is receiving a total of $81,885. Financial Impact:  There is no cash or in-kind match requirement from the city for this grant.  Any unspent funds must be returned to the state. Recommended Action:  Adoption of an Ordinance Next Steps Following Council Action:  The Finance Department will make the necessary budget adjustment.