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November 14, 2023 <br /> <br />WHEREAS <br /> , on July 20, 2023 the Portsmouth Professional Firefighters & <br />Paramedics Association, IAFF Local 539 formally submitted authorization cards, <br />representing a majority of public employees in a unit considered by employees to be <br />appropriate for the purposes of collective bargaining, namely Firefighters and Emergency <br />Medical Services personnel; and <br /> <br />WHEREAS, <br /> in accordance with § 40.1-57.2 the governing body of a locality shall <br />within 120 days of receiving certification from a majority of public employees in a unit <br />considered appropriate for the purposes of collective bargaining take a vote to adopt or <br />not adopt an ordinance or resolution to provide for collective bargaining by such public <br />employees and any other public employees deemed appropriate by the governing body; <br /> <br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED <br /> by the Council of the City of Portsmouth, <br />Virginia: <br /> <br />1. The City of Portsmouth will recognize labor unions or other employee <br />associations as a bargaining agent of public officers or employees and will allow collective <br />bargaining; and <br /> <br />2. That the scope, conditions, and terms of collective bargaining hereby <br /> <br />authorized shall be established by subsequent ordinance of City Council.” <br /> <br />Ayes: Hugel, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Tillage, <br />Nays: Whitaker, Glover <br /> <br />- City Manager’s Report - <br /> <br />23 - 361 - Adoption of an ordinance accepting an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice <br />Assistance grant in the amount of $115,645 from the U.S. Department of Justice <br />and appropriating said funds in the FY 2024 Grants Fund for use by the Portsmouth <br />Police Department. <br /> <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br /> The Portsmouth Police Department (PPD) has been awarded grant funding in the <br />amount of $115,645 from the Department of Justice (DOJ) – Bureau of Justice Assistance <br />(BJA) to provide funds for officer safety, community engagement, specialized equipment, <br />technology, and continued funding to support the Adult Drug Treatment Court Program. <br /> <br /> Estimated revenue in the FY 2024 Grants Fund is increased by $115,645. <br /> <br />Discussion: <br /> <br /> PPD will use JAG funds for equipment, supplies and technology to improve the <br />Department’s ability to interact with the citizens and respond to public safety incidents. <br /> <br /> Community Engagement uses of the funds will include acquisition of a police <br />concession trailer and McGruff and Scruff crime prevention mascot costumes, as well as <br />PowerEngage software that will enable PPD to provide text updates to citizens and collect <br />citizen feedback after interactions. <br /> <br /> Technology uses of the funds will include the acquisition of an SQL Server to allow <br />the Department to do more intense crime and intelligence analysis and reporting <br />calculations, as well as the use of TraX to enhance the accuracy of fugitive tracking and <br />investigations. <br /> <br /> Training uses of the funds will include the acquisition of PowerFTO software to <br />manage, track, and measure on-the-job training. <br /> <br /> Safety uses of the funds will include the replacement of broken hurricane fences <br />at the PPD’s mounted patrol unit. <br /> <br /> The funds will also be used to support the various Drug Court Treatment programs <br />such as drug testing, education, office supplies, drug treatment, and program support <br />within the Circuit Court. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />