2015-05-20 Grant Committee MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR VERNON COMMUNITY FUND
GRANT COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE CITY OF VERNON HELD
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20, 2015, AT 10:00 A.M. IN THE CITY HALL
COUNCIL CHAMBER, LOCATED AT 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE,
VERNON, CALIFORNIA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Michael Gavina, William Davis, Lawrence Cooper, Juliet Goff,
Rafael Gonzalez, Jessica Maes, and Steve Veres
MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
Chair Gavina called the meeting to order at 10:04 a.m. and led the flag salute.
City Clerk Maria Ayala announced the supplemental agenda that was issued (Agenda Item No.
4).
PUBLIC COMMENT
Chair Gavina announced that this was the time allotted for public comment and inquired whether
anyone in the audience wished to address the Committee. The public will also be given a chance
to comment on matters which are on the posted agenda during Committee deliberation on those
specific matters.
No public comment provided.
INTRODUCTORY ITEMS
1. Self-introductions of newly appointed members.
Board Member Cooper introduced himself from Senator Ricardo Lara’s appointee. He
has worked in the State Capital for over 14 years, and is consistently in the L.A. area for
business purposes.
Board Member Gonzalez introduced himself, and is looking forward to serving on the
Committee that will be providing funding for a variety of services in the area.
2. Election of Vice Chairperson to serve until the next annual election in August
2015.
Section 2.160(a) of the Vernon Municipal Code states that "[t]he Grant Committee shall
have a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, who shall be from different appointing
categories pursuant to section 2.158."
Board Member Veres nominated Board Member Maes for the position of Vice-Chair.
Board Member Gonzalez seconded the nomination. Nomination carried on a 6-0 vote
GRANT AWARDING
3. Award of Fiscal Year 2014-2015 Docket III Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grants.
Recommendation:
A. Find that the award of the proposed grants are 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
B. Award Fiscal Year 2014/2015 Docket III grants totaling $250,000 to the five
applicants identified below at the amounts recommended:
/ / /
/ / /
Regular Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Meeting Minutes
May 20, 2015
Page 2 of 3
Applicant
Original Amount
Requested
Amount
Recommended
Proposed
Term
East Los Angeles
Community
Corporation
(ELACC)
$250,000; adjusted to
$50,000 after
discussion with JRG $50,000 1 year
Eastmont Community
Center (ECC) $50,000 $50,000 1 year
Family Healthcare
Centers of Greater
Los Angeles
(FHCGLA) $100,000 $60,000 1 year
Project Return Peer
Support Network
(PRPSN) $40,000 $40,000 1 year
South Central Los
Angeles Regional
Center (SCLARC) $250,000 $50,000 1 year
Board Member Goff arrived at the meeting at 10:15 a.m. during Ms. Jemmott’s reports.
Fran Jemmott and Hayley Roberts of Jemmott Rollin Group provided reports on each grant
applicant and the recommendation. Ms. Jemmott, Mr. Fred MacFarlane, Senior Advisor to the
City Administrator, and staff responded to questions from the Committee that included: facilities,
use of grant monies, recognition for the Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee as the
grantor (considerable dialogue on this topic), etc.
Mr. Macfarlane and Ms. Jemmott will work with City Administration and communication plan
for the Committee, and potentially develop a plan for a permanent fixture to recognize the
Committee for the grant award. Staff will report back at the next Committee meeting.
Each grantee’s application was considered in separate motion and vote to approve the award of
fiscal year 2014-2015 Docket III Vernon CommUNITY Fund grants as follows:
Applicant Motion Second
Motion
Carried
East Los Angeles Community Corporation
(ELACC) Maes Veres 7-0
Eastmont Community Center (ECC) Veres Maes 7-0
Family Healthcare Centers of Greater Los
Angeles (FHCGLA) Maees Gonzalez 7-0
Project Return Peer Support Network (PRPSN) Goff Davis 7-0
South Central Los Angeles Regional Center
(SCLARC) Goff Maes 7-0
DISCUSSION ITEM AND POSSIBLE DIRECTIVES TO STAFF
4. Discussion of Vernon Area Map and potential options for depiction of basic grant
related data.
Hayley Roberts of Jemmott Rollin Group provided a presentation on the geographic location of
the grantees and their service area.
Board Member Veres, requested that the City Council consider a method by which to consider
grant applications from agencies that provide services to “moving populations” such as homeless
individuals.
ORAL REPORTS
5. Brief reports on activities, other brief announcements, and directives to staff.
Regular Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Meeting Minutes
May 20, 2015
Page 3 of 3
Executive Director Mark Whitworth thanked everybody for their attendance and great discussion
and input. Staff will report back on branding information for the Committee.
Fred MacFarlane, Senior Advisor to the City Administrator, provided a report on the ceremonial
check presentation tour.
Chair Gavina thanked everybody for their attendance today and for participation in the check
presentation tour.
Board Members Veres and Gonzalez recommended that an opportunity to bring all grant
recipients together for a recognition event be considered and looked into.
With no further business, Chair Gavina adjourned the meeting at 11:42 a.m.
________________________
Michael Gavina
Chairperson
ATTEST:
_________________________
Maria E. Ayala
Secretary