Minutes 03/28/2023 - Laserfiche WebLink

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March 28, 2023  The Settlement MOU requires the City to use the Settlement Funds for “Approved Abatement Purposes”, which it defines as: “efforts to treat, prevent, or reduce opioid use disorder or the misuse of opioids or to otherwise abate or remediate the opioid epidemic…”. Specific examples of Approved Abatement Purposes are described in Section (C)(4)(a) through (j) of the Settlement MOU.  The proposed ordinance appropriates the $80,243.88 allocation of Settlement Funds to the Department of Behavioral Healthcare Services for use for Approved Abatement Purposes. Financial impact:  No local match is required as a condition of the funding. Recommended Action:  Adoption of the ordinance. Next Steps Following Council Action:  BHS will expend the Settlement Funds for Approved Abatement Purposes. Motion by Mr. Moody, and seconded by Mr. Tillage, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: “ORDINANCE ACCEPTING SETTLEMENT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $80,243.88 FROM THE NATIONAL OPIOIDS SETTLEMENT FUND TRUST AND APPROPRIATING SAID AMOUNT IN THE FY 2023 BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE SERVICE FUND FOR USE BY BHS FOR APPROVED ABATEMENT PURPOSES AS DEFINED BY THE VIRGINIA OPIOID FUND AND SETTLEMENT ALLOCATION MOU.” Ayes: Hugel, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Tillage, Whitaker, Glover Nays: None 23 - 105 - Adoption of an ordinance accepting a COVID-19 Vaccine and Health Equity Grant in the amount of $14,627 from the Virginia Department of Health and appropriating said amount in the FY2023 grants fund for use by the Department of Libraries. Background:  The Virginia Department of Health is providing funding for coronavirus vaccine outreach activities to support greater access and ensure that those disproportionately affected by Covid-19 have the opportunity to receive vaccinations.  The Department of Libraries was awarded $14,627 by VDH to partner with the Portsmouth Health Department to undertake Covid-19 Vaccine and Health Equity community engagement activities. These will include assisting with a Local Inequity Data Analysis through the library’s subscription to the PolicyMap datasets and working with PDH, Planning, BHS, and Social Services to engage the community. Discussion:  VDH will reimburse Portsmouth Public Library for actual expenditures for services provided. The initial term runs through June 16, 2023, and provides for a maximum total reimbursement of $14,627. Financial Impact  No local match is required as a condition of this grant funding. Recommended Action:  Adoption of the ordinance. Next Steps Following Council Action:  Finance will complete the necessary budget adjustment.  Department of Libraries will implement the program in accordance with grant requirements.