2016-02-17 Grant Committee MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR VERNON COMMUNITY FUND
GRANT COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE CITY OF VERNON HELD
TUESDAY, FEBURARY 17, 2016, AT 10:00 A.M. IN THE CITY HALL
COUNCIL CHAMBER, LOCATED AT 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Michael Gavina, Juliet Goff, William Davis, Rafael Gonzalez
(Late), Lawrence Cooper, and Steve Veres (Late).
MEMBERS ABSENT: Jessica Maes
Chairperson Gavina called the meeting to order at 10:09 a.m.; Chairperson Gavina led the flag
salute.
Chairperson Gavina announced that there were no changes to the agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson 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.
MINUTES – TO BE RECIVED AND FILED
1. Minutes of the Regular Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Meeting held on November 18, 2015.
It was moved by Goff and seconded by Cooper to approve Minutes of the Regular Vernon
CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Meeting held on November 18, 2015. Motion carried, 4-0.
Committee Member Davis abstained. GRANT AWARDING
2. Award of Fiscal Year 2015/2016 Docket III Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grants.
Recommendation: A. Find that the award of the grants proposed in this staff report 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.
B. Award Fiscal Year 20 15/2016 Docket III grants totaling $175,000 to the
four applicants identified below at the amounts recommended:
Applicant
Original Amount
Requested
Amount
Recommended
Proposed
Term
Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles $60,000 $35,000
I year Self Help Graphics & Arts $50,000 $40,000 I year
Los Angeles Center For Law and Justice $50,000
$50,000
I year Neighborhood Music
School Association $50,000 $50,000 I year
Fran Jemmott, Jemmott Rollins Group, introduced Anne-Marie Jones to present the grant
applicants.
Regular Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Meeting Minutes
February 17, 2016
Page 2 of 5
Anne-Marie Jones, Jemmott Rollins Group, reported on the first grant applicant, Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles.
Committee Member Davis commented on the Girl Scout organization and inquired as to how
many Girl Scouts were in Vernon. Ms. Jones did not have an exact number. Committee Member Goff spoke about the struggles of getting equal opportunities for the Girl
Scouts of Greater Los Angeles.
Committee Member Gonzalez joined the meeting at 10:16 a.m. It was moved by Cooper and seconded by Goff to approve the grant for Girl Scouts of Greater
Los Angeles. Motion carried, 5-0.
Ms. Jones reported on the second grant applicant, Self Help Graphics & Arts. Committee Member Goff commented on the lack of art programs in schools.
Committee Member Gonzalez supported this grant applicant.
It was moved by Goff and seconded by Davis to approve the grant for Self Help Graphics &
Arts. Motion carried, 5-0.
Ms. Jones reported on the third grant applicant, Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice.
Committee Member Goff had a question about amount spent on clientele. Ms. Jones responded
stating the amount noted was what Vernon would contribute per client.
Committee Member Veres joined the meeting at 10:22 a.m.
Chairperson Gavina and Committee Member Goff noted how well the docket was put together.
Committee Member Veres spoke about the struggles to get free legal advice and supported the
grant.
It was moved by Goff and seconded by Gonzalez to approve the grant for Los Angeles Center
for Law and Justice. Motion carried, 6-0.
Ms. Jones reported on the fourth grant applicant, Neighborhood Music School Association.
Committee Member Goff spoke to the importance of this organization.
Committee Member Cooper spoke to the benefits of learning arts and music.
Committee Member Goff requested a site visit.
Committee Member Veres asked for clarification on the grant request. Ms. Jones explained the
grant would be used for general operation and why it would be used in that manner.
It was moved by Goff and seconded by Gonzalez to approve the grant for Neighborhood Music School Association. Motion carried, 6-0.
Chairperson Gavina asked whether it was more expensive to customize a project or to support on
the general level. Ms. Jemmott responded that projects are harder to sustain and general operating is more consistent to meet the needs of the members of the communities.
Committee Member Veres commented that general purpose funding creates a dependent
relationship with the grantee and grantor. Ms. Jemmott wanted to note that these grant awards
are not ongoing.
Regular Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Meeting Minutes
February 17, 2016
Page 3 of 5
Committee Member Gonzalez spoke about the flexibility of general purpose funding and having project goals in mind.
Committee Member Goff suggested finding a creative ways to garner recognition for funding
grants, may include moving away from supporting general operating grants. Ms. Jemmott spoke about the policy decisions that affect non-profits.
Committee Member Goff requested to see, geographically, where the funds are distributed. She
also made other suggestions for grant applicants. Committee Member Veres requested to explore options to facilitate programs outside established
non-profits.
NEW BUSINESS **Note: The “Recommendation” for Agenda Item No. 3 has been amended as follows:
3. Amendment No. 1 to the Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Agreement with
California Children’s Academy Recommendation
A. Find that the action proposed in this staff report 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.
B. Approve Amendment No. 1 to the December 22, 2014 Vernon CommUNITY
Fund Grant Agreement with California Children’s Academy to authorize the reallocation of $40,000 of its Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant toward the development of an infant/toddler program, to extend the term of the grant to June
30, 2016, and to extend the deadline for the final report to July 31, 2016.
A. Find that the action proposed in this staff report 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.
B. Approve Amendment No. 1 to the December 22, 2014 Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Agreement with California Children’s Academy to authorize the
reallocation of $40,000 of its Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant toward the
development of an infant/toddler program and to extend the term of the grant to
April 30, 2016. Ms. Jemmott reported on the on the proposed.
Interim City Administrator A.J. Wilson spoke about the merits of the Children’s Academy.
Committee Member Goff inquired as to the location of the building and who owned it. Ms. Jemmott confirmed the location and ownership.
Interim City Administrator Wilson and Committee Member Goff had a dialogue about the
building use. Committee Member Gonzalez inquired about the address of the facility. Ms. Jemmott replied
that the facility was on North Main Street.
Fred MacFarlane, Senior Advisor to the City Administrator, briefly spoke about the site visit.
Regular Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Meeting Minutes
February 17, 2016
Page 4 of 5
Interim City Administrator Wilson suggested a condition on the amendment that states the lease would be for an additional 5 years.
Committee Member Veres made a friendly amendment to the recommendation of a 5 year
timeline on the lease. It was moved by Cooper and seconded by Veres to approve the amendment with a condition of a
5 year timeline. Motion carried, 6-0.
DISCUSSION ITEMS AND POSSIBLE DIRECTIVES TO STAFF 4. Discussion regarding the prioritization and structure for the fiscal year 2016-2017 grant application process.
City consultant Jemmott Rollins Group will present and review related options and considerations and seek feedback from the Committee regarding the development of a
final plan to present for approval at the May 18, 2016 meeting.
Recommendation:
A. Authorize Jemmott Rollins Group to temporarily close the application process until a new process is established for fiscal year 2016-2017.
Ms. Jemmott presented a PowerPoint Presentation on grant budget allocations.
Committee Member Veres asked where inner city youth would be categorized, in education preparedness or youth development. Ms. Jemmott replied that it was categorized under youth
development.
Committee Member Veres saw gaps in funding, and would like to see more direct uses of funds within areas of inner city youth.
Ms. Jemmott asked for clarification on how Committee Member Veres defined the term “inner
city youth”. Committee Member Veres clarified.
Committee Member Goff spoke about her perspective in dealing with limited resource, and
expanding definitions of the five general categories of grant applicants.
Ms. Jones spoke about what the current categories entailed. Committee Members Goff, Gonzalez, and Veres spoke about the possibility to update and
revamp the criteria and categories for grants.
Ms. Jemmott suggested a prioritization for the current categories. Interim City Administrator also spoke about prioritization.
Chairperson Gavina spoke about different methods to find out where the needs are in the
community and a reevaluation of what groups are deserved of grants. Committee Members
Goff, Cooper, Gonzalez, and Veres added their ideas and thoughts to the discussion. Deputy City Administrator Kristen Enomoto, clarified that the item would halt any acceptance of
applications not already in the cue until the new fiscal year.
Committee Member Veres suggested they start a subcommittee to come up with criteria, categories, etc.
Committee Member Goff asked when they need to have everything ready for the new fiscal year.
Ms. Jemmott replied that it would ideally be ready for the next regularly scheduled meeting in
May.
Regular Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Meeting Minutes
February 17, 2016
Page 5 of 5
Committee Members Goff, Gonzalez, and Veres were all willing to participate in subcommittee the next regular committee meeting in May.
It was moved by Goff and seconded by Gonzalez to Authorize Jemmott Rollins Group to
temporarily close the application process until a new process is established for fiscal year 2016-2017. Motion carried, 6-0.
5. Discussion regarding the continued review and development of a capital grants
program.
City consultant Jemmott Rollins Group will present and review additional options for consideration and discussion and seek feedback from the Committee regarding the
further development of a capital grants program.
Ms. Jones provided a PowerPoint Presentation on a capital grants program. Committee Member Goff inquired about her term ending in June and how to proceed. Deputy
City Administrator Kristen Enomoto explained that it would be similar appointment process as
the initial appointment, advised the Committee Member to reapply.
ORAL REPORTS 6. City consultant Jemmott Rollins Group to provide a summary of the fiscal year 2014-
2015 Interim Grant Reports.
Ms. Jemmott provided a summary of the fiscal year 2014-2015 Interim Grant Reports.
7. Brief reports on activities, other brief announcements, and directives to staff.
Ms. Jemmott gave a brief update on grant applicants currently in the queue for the next docket; returning grant awardee that applied for a new grant; and progress reports on grant recipients.
She proposed that a portion of subsequent meetings be dedicated to how grants are reviewed and
how grant applications are qualified and also to consider possible adjustments to the policies.
Committee Member Veres gave a brief update on the Exide cleanup effort.
Mr. MacFarlane briefly spoke about the tours and site visits of current and upcoming grant
applicants; and noted that the CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee would be highlighted in the
Vernon Quarterly. Interim City Administrator Wilson gave a brief update on the amendment to the Grant
Agreement with California Children’s Academy.
8. Next regular meeting: May, 18, 2016 Chairperson Gavina announced the next regular meeting.
With no further business, Chairperson Gavina adjourned the meeting at 12:09 p.m.
________________________
Michael Gavina
Chairperson ATTEST:
_________________________ Maria E. Ayala, CMC Secretary