2014-11-12 Grant Committee MinutesMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL VERNON COMMUNITY FUND
GRANT COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE CITY OF VERNON HELD
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2014, AT 12:30 P.M. IN THE CITY
HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER, LOCATED AT 4305 SANTA FE
AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Michael Gavina, Jessica Maes, Juliet Goff, and Yolie Flores
MEMBERS ABSENT: Steve Veres, Lawrence Cooper, and William Davis
The meeting was called to order at 12:39 p.m. Grant Committee Executive Director Mark
Whitworth led the flag salute.
There were no changes to the agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENT
It was announced that this was the time allotted for public comment. There was no public
comment.
INTRODUCTORY ITEMS
1. Self-introductions by all Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee members.
Present members of the Grant Committee and Staff made self-introductions.
2. Election of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson to serve until the next annual
election in August 2015.
It was moved my Maes and seconded by Goff to elect Member Gavina as the Chairperson. With
no further nominations, the motion carried, 4-0.
Flores recommended that the nomination for the Vice Chairperson be deferred to the next
Committee meeting. All were in agreement. The election of the Vice Chairperson will be
agendized at the next meeting.
3. Review of the Conflict of Interest Code and Rosenberg’s Rules of Order by City
Attorney’s Office.
Deputy City Attorney Zaynah Moussa conducted the oral presentation. Moussa addressed
various questions from Grant Committee members regarding potential conflicts of interest.
4. Staff Explanation of Meeting Stipends pursuant to Vernon Municipal Code
Section 2.160(d).
Committee Treasurer William Fox conducted the oral report.
5. Resolution No. VCF-1 - A Resolution of the Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant
Committee of the City of Vernon setting the date, time and place for regular
meetings.
Recommendation:
(1) Find that adoption of the proposed resolution does not constitute a “project”
pursuant to section 15378(b)(2) of the Guidelines to the California Environmental
Quality Act (“CEQA”), because it constitutes an administrative activity; and even
if the adoption of the proposed resolution did constitute a project, it would be
exempt from CEQA in accordance with Section 15061(b)(3), the general rule that
CEQA only applies to projects that may have an effect on the environment; and
Special Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Meeting Minutes
November 12, 2014
Page 2 of 3
(2) Adopt a resolution to set the Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee
(“VCF”) regular meeting schedule to be on the third Wednesday of February,
May, August, and November (second month of each quarter) at 10:00 a.m.
It was moved by Goff and seconded my Maes to approve Resolution No. VCF-1. Motion
carried, 4-0.
MINUTES – TO BE RECEIVED AND FILED
6. Minutes of the Special Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Meeting
held on September 16, 2014.
The proposed minutes were deferred to the next Grant Committee Meeting.
GRANT AWARDING
7. Award of Docket I Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grants.
Recommendation:
(1) Find that the award of the grants proposed is exempt under the California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) in accordance with Section 15061(b)(3),
the general rule that CEQA only applies to projects that may have an effect on the
environment; and
(2) Award Docket I grants totaling $244,500 to the six applicants identified below at
the amounts recommended:
Applicant
Original Amount
Requested
Amount
Recommended
Proposed
Term
East Los Angeles Women's Center $54,000 $54,000 1 year
Southeast Rio Vista YMCA $150,000 $35,000 1 year
Plaza Community Services $75,000 $35,000 1 year
Rio Hondo Vernon Rotary Club $50,000 $12,500 1 year
California Children's Academy $250,000 $60,000 1 year
Boy Scouts of America LA Chapter $65,000 $48,000 1 year
Total $579,000 $244,500
Grant Committee Executive Director Mark Whitworth reported on staff’s recommendations.
Fran Jemmott of Jemmott Rollins Group (JRG) reported on the process. At 1:17 p.m. the
Committee called for a recess in order to address individual questions with legal counsel
regarding a potential conflict of interest.
At 1:29 p.m. the Committee resumed the meeting. Member Maes and Chairperson Gavina
disclosed certain interests and positions, and advised that said interests do not constitute a
conflict.
Deputy City Attorney Zaynah Moussa further explained the determination.
Member Flores requested that staff go through each grant applicant and its highlights.
Member Goff requested additional criteria as part of future rankings.
JRG Staff Fran Jemmott James Hull and Hayley Roberts reported on the grant applicants and
addressed various Committee members’ inquiries and concerns.
Committee members requested a mapping tool or systematic method for tracking where grant
funds are going and who is benefiting from them. It is important for the information to also be
seen as part of the application.
It was noted that grant recipients can reapply for consideration of future grants.
Special Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Meeting Minutes
November 12, 2014
Page 3 of 3
In response to Member Goff, Jemmott advised that public relations will be used to publicize the
awarding of the grants.
It was moved Flores and seconded by Maes to approve the award of Docket I Vernon
CommUNITY Fund grants. Motion carried, 4-0.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:07 p.m.
________________________
Michael Gavina
Chairperson
ATTEST:
_________________________
Ana Barcia
Deputy City Clerk