Minutes 04/09/2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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April 09, 2024 - City Manager’s Report - 24 - 94 - Adoption of an ordinance accepting an Operation Ceasefire Program grant in the amount of $467,257 from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services and appropriating said amount in the FY2024 Grants Fund for use by the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office for the Victim Witness Program. Background:  The City of Portsmouth has recently been granted a DCJS Operation Ceasefire Program grant, administered by the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.  The purpose of this program is to support the implementation of strategies that will result in reducing violent crime within the Commonwealth while implementing effective and sustainable solutions to intercept and eliminate local cycles of violence.  The program will focus specifically on violent crimes, many of which are complex and require specialized knowledge and experience; these all-important cases will receive more time and attention. Discussion:  The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office Operation Ceasefire Grant is approved for one full-time appointee that will be 100% dedicated to the grant’s objectives.  It is estimated that this program will serve in excess of 1,400 victims annually. Financial Impact:  No local match is required as a condition of the funding. This grant is biannual, and the total amount of the grant will be divided and utilized within the two years awarded to the office. Recommended Action:  Adoption of proposed ordinance. Next Steps Following Council Action:  The Finance Department will make the necessary budget adjustments. 1. Donna Biggs, 3104 Garland Avenue, spoke in opposition to this item. Motion by Ms. Lucas-Burke, and seconded by Mr. Moody, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: “ORDINANCE ACCEPTING AN OPERATION CEASEFIRE PROGRAM GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $467,257 FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES AND APPROPRIATING SAID AMOUNT IN THE FY 2024 GRANTS FUND FOR USE BY THE COMMONWEALTH’S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE FOR THE VICTIM WITNESS PROGRAM. ” Ayes: Barnes, Hugel, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Tillage, Whitaker, Glover Nays: None - New Business - 24 - 95 - Boards and Commissions There were no appointments. 24 - 96 - Items Submitted by Council Members Dr. Whitaker asked that Interim City Manager Patton provide an update on open space  agreements as it relates to Elizabeth Manor Golf Course. Mr. Moody asked that City Attorney Graham-Williams provide a legal opinion on  whether City Council can be involved in the assessment process. He also asked that the report back be provided for the public.