Title
Resolution to Amend the Fiscal Year 2023 Council Approved Budget to Appropriate $10,000.00 from the Wetlands Encroachment Restricted Fund Balance Account to the Community Development Leadership and Management Service - Other Professional Services Account for the Purpose of Dispersing to the Colonial Soil and Water Conservation District to Fund the City’s Participation in the Virginia Conservation Assistance Program and Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Colonial Soil and Water Conservation District for the City’s Participation in the Virginia Conservation Assistance Program.
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
Discussion:
Living shoreline installations are increasingly becoming both a priority and a challenge for Hampton property owners. As discussed with City Council at its May 25, 2022 work session, one opportunity to provide property owners with technical and financial assistance to install living shorelines is for the City to enter into an agreement with the nearest Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) to participate in the Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP). VCAP is an existing, statewide, urban cost-share program administered by regional Soil and Water Conservation Districts. VCAP provides financial incentives, as well as technical and educational assistance, to property owners installing eligible Best Management Practices (BMPs).
Hampton is not located within a SWCD service area; therefore, in order for City property owners to be eligible to participate, the City would need to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Colonial SWCD. The MOU would, among other things, focus the City’s participation on living shorelines, state that the Colonial SWCD will provide up to 20 initial site visits and VCAP funding for up to 10 eligible living shoreline projects, and state that the City will provide up to $10,000 to the Colonial SWCD for participating in VCAP. Property owners ...
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