Minutes 09/13/2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

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September 13, 2022 1. Donna Sayegh, 3104 Garland Drive, voiced her concern with the city’s acquisition of property. Motion by Ms. Lucas-Burke, and seconded by Mr. Woodard, to adopt the following resolution, and was adopted by the following vote: “RESOLUTION CERTIFYING THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH’S SUPPORT OF AN APPLICATION FOR A VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PORT HOST COMMUNITIES GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $415,657 IN FURTHERANCE OF THE REVITALIZATION OF 16 HARPER AVENUE FOR PORT- RELATED USES. WHEREAS, the Port Host Communities Revitalization Fund was established by the Commonwealth to provide grants of state funds for port-related revitalization projects in five localities that are especially impacted by Port of Virginia operations: Portsmouth, Front Royal, Newport News, Norfolk and Richmond; and WHEREAS, the grants are funded annually from a pool of $1,500,000; and WHEREAS, the Economic Development Department conducts outreach to solicit applications from port-related Portsmouth businesses, and the Portsmouth Port and Industrial Commission reviews the applications and determines whether they should be submitted to the state; and WHEREAS, Crofton Construction Services, Inc. (“Crofton”) has submitted an application for a grant; and WHEREAS, the application seeks a grant of $415,657 for waterfront bulkhead replacement work at 16 Harper Avenue (the “Project”); and WHEREAS, on August 23, 2022 Crofton made a presentation to PPIC, and after considering the application and presentation PPIC adopted a Resolution authorizing submittal of the application to the state; and WHEREAS, if the grant is awarded, Crofton will be required to expend not less than $415,657 of its own funds to serve as the required match; and WHEREAS, the Project would continue the revitalization of the maritime/industrial area surrounding the Portsmouth Marine Terminal and is anticipated to result in the creation of approximately 30 new full time jobs; and WHEREAS, the Project would further a port-related use that maximizes the benefits of the City’s role as a Port Host Community, improve the aesthetics of the area, increase the local tax base by increasing the value of the property, and provide employment opportunities for Portsmouth citizens; and WHEREAS, the grant is funded solely by state dollars, and no City or PPIC funds will be expended; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia: 1. That it hereby certifies its support for the Project and the submission of an application for a Port Host Communities Revitalization Fund grant in furtherance of the Project. 2. That the City Manager is authorized to take such further actions and execute such further certifications as are necessary or desirable in furtherance of the application and the purposes of this resolution. 3. That this resolution shall take effect on the date of its adoption.”