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August 10, 2021 <br /> <br />NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED <br /> by the Council of the City of Portsmouth, <br />Virginia that it hereby authorizes the City Manager to execute and deliver the Virginia <br />Opioid Abatement Fund and Settlement Allocation Memorandum of Understanding in <br />substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A and to take such further actions and <br />execute such further documents as may be consistent with the MOU and the purposes of <br /> <br />this Resolution.” <br /> <br />Ayes: Barnes, Battle, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Whitaker, Woodard, Glover <br />Nays: None <br /> <br /> Vice Mayor Barnes asked for but did not receive a consensus of City Council to <br /> <br />consider paying a stipend to members of the Portsmouth Port and Industrial <br />Commission, Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Economic <br />Development Authority, and Planning Commission. <br /> <br /> Mayor Glover asked that Interim City Attorney Stromberg look into whether there <br />was a roll call vote or consensus to not pay a stipend to the boards listed above. <br /> <br /> Vice Mayor Barnes asked for but did not receive a consensus of City Council to set <br /> <br />aside $3 million of the American Rescue Act funds that would provide funding to <br />Portsmouth organizations that are working to reduce crime. These funds would also <br />be used to provide job opportunities to youth 16-18 years of age. <br /> <br /> Dr. Whitaker asked that the following memo be included in the minutes: <br /> <br /> <br />“Dear Colleagues and City Manager Jones: <br /> <br />As we consider how the additional influx of funding from the American Rescue Plan and <br />State are used, I request that as the City Manager consider the following: <br /> <br />1. Funding community-based organizations for crime intervention <br /> <br />2. Providing direct payments as a form of guaranteed income (Universal Basic Income) <br /> for residents living below the poverty line. (e.g., PRHA residents) <br /> <br />3. Giving real estate relief for residents (e.g., seniors, low income) <br /> <br />4. Providing eviction assistance <br /> <br />5. Providing housing assistance for the homeless <br /> <br />6. Funding nonprofit/religious organizations for before and after school programming <br /> <br />7. Expanding mental health assistance <br /> <br />If there is no objection from Council, I would like to forward this request to the City <br />Manager to report back at our next work session.” <br /> <br /> Ms. Lucas-Burke spoke on the following events: <br /> <br /> <br />-Sunset Thursdays. <br /> <br />-COVID-19 vaccine clinic, 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., August 12, 2021, at Portsmouth <br />Health Department. <br /> <br />-Portsmouth Parks and Recreation Back to School event, 12 noon - 4 p.m. at <br />Portsmouth City Park. <br /> <br />-Neighborhood Incentive Matching Grant Program application process opens <br />Monday, August 23, 2021. The deadline is Friday, September 24, 2021. <br />rd <br /> <br />-83 season of the Portsmouth Community Concerts. <br /> <br />-Farmer’s Market, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., now until December 18, 2021, at the Portsmouth <br />Arts and Cultural Center. <br /> <br /> Mr. Woodard asked that City Manager Jones provide information on the guidelines <br /> <br />and/or requirements of organizations that are interested in funding opportunities. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />