Minutes 11/28/2023 - Laserfiche WebLink

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November 28, 2023 Background:  The Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) administers the allocation of funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to localities for use by Special Ops Hazmat Teams.  The Homeland Security Grant Program provides funding to create and maintain special operations teams throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Discussion:  The Southside Regional Hazardous Materials Response Team (SRHMRT) is comprised of resources and personnel from the following four (4) jurisdictions: Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach. Portsmouth has a long-standing agreement to serve as the lead-agency for SRHMRT.  SRHMRT will utilize the 2023 SHSP funds per the instructions received from VDEM regarding the specific equipment to be purchased. Financial Impact:  No local match is required as a condition of the funding. Recommended Action:  Adoption of the ordinance. Next Steps Following Council Action:  Submitting the Grant Acceptance form by PFRES.  Submitting the Application package signed by the City Manager.  The Finance Department will assign the budget code.  PFRES to purchase the specific equipment per VDEM’s instructions. Motion by Mr. Hugel, and seconded by Ms. Lucas-Burke, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: “ORDINANCE ACCEPTING STATE HOMELAND SECURITY PROGRAM GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $53,800 FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND APPROPRIATING SAID AMOUNT IN THE FY 2024 GRANTS FUND FOR USE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FIRE, RESCUE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES.” Ayes: Hugel, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Tillage, Whitaker, Glover Nays: None 23 - 388 - Adoption of an ordinance accepting HAZMAT Response Cost Recovery funding in the amount of $923.52 from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and appropriating said funds in the FY 2024 Grants Fund for use by the Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services. Background:  The Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM) has provided HAZMAT Response Cost Recovery funds to reimburse the City of Portsmouth in the amount of $923.52 for two HAZMAT response calls as the Southside Regional HAZMAT Team Leader.  HAZMAT Response Cost Recovery funds enable Portsmouth, which is the lead city for the Southside Regional Hazardous Materials Team, to maintain a superior level of readiness with regard to equipment, training, and technical expertise in dealing with hazardous materials as required by VDEM. Discussion:  These funds are instrumental in replenishing the materials that enable the response capabilities for the Southside Regional Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Team.