Minutes 09/08/2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

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September 8, 2020 Background:  The City of Portsmouth has received a grant through the Department of Education from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) for more than 36 years, administered by the Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism.  This year the program accommodated Recreation Facilities, Faith-based sites, School sites, and private locations as a Non-Congregate Grab-N-Go operation from March 16, 2020, through August 31, 2020.  The program provided meals during the spring and summer months when children were out of school due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, and therefore the free and reduced school nutrition program was not available.  The Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism partnered with Portsmouth Public Schools Food Services Division to provide the Non-Congregate Grab-N-Go meals for the above mentioned period. Discussion:  The USDA Summer Food Service Program for 2020 included 20 sites consisting of Recreation Facilities, Mobile Community Distribution, Faith-based sites, School sites, and private community locations. It is estimatedthat the program served 2,524 breakfasts daily and 2,684 lunches daily. Financial Impact:  There is no City cash match required. The grant is a total reimbursement grant based on the number of meals served according to the guidelines. Recommended Action:  Adoption of the ordinance. Next Steps Following Council Action:  The Finance Department will make the necessary budgetary changes. Motion by Mr. Moody, and seconded by Mr. Battle, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: “ORDINANCE ACCEPTING NON-CONGREGATE GRAB-N-GO SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,622,852.08 FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND APPROPRIATING SAID AMOUNT INTO THE FY 2021 GRANTS FUND FOR USE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, RECREATION, AND TOURISM.” Ayes: Battle, Clark, Glover, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Psimas, Rowe Nays: None 20 - 203 - Adoption of an ordinance accepting WanderLOVE grant funds in the amount of $10,000 from the Virginia Tourism Corporation and appropriating said amount in the FY 2021 Grants Fund Budget for use by the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism. Background:  The City has received a tourism grant for $10,000 to advertise for autumn travel to Portsmouth. Discussion:  Virginia Tourism Corporation wants to stimulate travel throughout the Commonwealth in an effort to aid the recovery of the travel and hospitality industry since the emergence of COVID-19. It made these grants available to destination marketing organizations only, and Portsmouth was successful with its application. The planned fall advertising campaign will be extended to reach more in-state markets, including NOVA, Richmond, Charlottesville, Lynchburg and Roanoke and add a video component that would not have been possible without the grant money.