Minutes 10/10/2023 - Laserfiche WebLink

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October 10, 2023 23 - 320 - Adoption of an ordinance accepting a Digital Literacy Workshop Incentive AT&T Phase II Grant in the amount of $6,000 from the Public Library Association and appropriating said amount in the FY 2024 Grants Fund for use by the Department of Libraries. Background:  The Department of Libraries will conduct digital literacy training workshops for underserved Portsmouth residents utilizing the AT&T platform in person at local recreation centers.  The Department was awarded $6,000 in funding provided by AT&T and distributed by the Public Library Association to support workshop programming and incentive-related expenses, per the Digital Literacy Workshop guidelines. Discussion:  AT&T’s digital literacy initiatives aim to help more than 65,000 people across the country learn to use computers and mobile devices, navigate the internet and commonly used apps, and participate safely and responsibly in today’s increasingly connected world. These are crucial skills for people who are new to using the internet and computers.  Portsmouth Public Library is committed to reaching a minimum of 36 learners. 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. Motion by Mr. Hugel, and seconded by Ms. Lucas-Burke, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: “ORDINANCE ACCEPTING A DIGITAL LITERACY WORKSHOP INCENTIVE AT&T PHASE II GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $6,000 FROM THE PUBLIC LIBRARY ASSOCIATION AND APPROPRIATING SAID AMOUNT IN THE FY 2024 GRANTS FUND FOR USE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LIBRARIES.” Ayes: Barnes, Hugel, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Tillage, Whitaker, Glover Nays: None 23 - 321 - Adoption of an ordinance appropriating Public Utility Fund Balance in the amount of $1,370,000 to the FY 2024 Public Utility Fund Budget and transferring said amount to the Sheriff’s Office section of the FY 2024 General Fund budget for the payment of one-time personnel supplements. Background:  In FY 2023 the City provided the Sheriff with funding in the amount of $6,500 per Sheriff’s Office employee for a one-time supplement.  The funding source was the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).  The Sheriff has requested that the same supplement be provided in FY 2024. Discussion:  City Council has designated public safety, public health and maintaining staffing levels as priorities.  The total number of Sheriff’s Office employees estimated to receive the supplement is approximately 136, which (factoring in taxes and withholdings) is estimated to cost $1,370,000.  Unassigned year end savings (fund balance appropriation) from the Public Utilities Fund will be utilized to fund the employee supplements.