Minutes 09/13/2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

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September 13, 2022 Background:  The City of Portsmouth has received a grant through the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) for more than 38 years, administered by the Department of Parks & Recreation.  This year the program accommodated Recreation Summer RAYS, Faith-based sites, School sites, and private locations from June 27, 2022 through August 26, 2022.  The program provides meals during the summer months when children are out of school, and therefore the free and reduced school lunch program is not available.  The Department of Parks& Recreation partnered with the Portsmouth Public Schools Food Services Division to provide the meals for the above-mentioned period. Discussion:  The USDA Summer Food Service Program for 2022 included 39 sites consisting of Recreation Summer RAYS, Faith-based sites, School sites, and private locations.  It is estimatedthat the program served 55,140 breakfasts, 46,010 lunches and 6,000 suppers. 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 SFSP guidelines. Staff Recommends:  Adoption of the ordinance. Next Steps Following Council Action:  Reimbursement of grant funds by December 31, 2022. Motion by Ms. Lucas-Burke, and seconded by Mr. Woodard, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: “ORDINANCE ACCEPTING SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM GRANT FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $377,436.65 FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND APPROPRIATING SAID AMOUNT IN THE FY 2023 GRANTS FUND FOR USE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & RECREATION.” Ayes: Barnes, Battle, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Whitaker, Woodard, Glover Nays: None 22 - 261 - Adoption of an ordinance accepting Municipal Utility Assistance Program funds in the amount of $48,714 from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and appropriating said sum in the FY 2023 Grants Fund for application to eligible Public Utilities Department customer account arrearages. Background:  The Municipal Utility Assistance Program was created by the state and uses federal funding to provide assistance to eligible City water and sewer customers who are in arrears on their accounts as a result of Covid-19 impacts. Discussion:  In accordance with program guidelines, the funds will be applied directly to Public Utilities Department customer accounts for water and sewer service-related arrearages during the period from March 12, 2020, through August 31, 2021.  The City must apply all awarded funds to qualitied customer accounts by October 31, 2022, to avoid returning unused funds. Financial Impact:  No local match is required as a condition of the funding. Recommended Action:  Adoption of the ordinance.