2016-11-16 Grant Committee MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR VERNON COMMUNITY FUND
GRANT COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE CITY OF VERNON HELD
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2016, AT 10:00 A.M. IN THE CITY
HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER, LOCATED AT 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA
MEMBERS PRESENT: Juliet Goff, Michael Gavina, Leticia Lopez, Sandra Villarreal,
Steve Veres, and Rafael Gonzalez
MEMBERS ABSENT: Lawrence Cooper
Chairperson Goff called the meeting to order at 10:01 a.m. and also led the flag salute.
Deputy City Clerk Matthew Ceballos announced that there were no changes to the agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Chairperson Goff 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 RECEIVED AND FILED
1. Minutes of the Regular Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Meeting
held on August 17, 2016 It was moved by Gavina and seconded by Gonazlez to approve the Minutes from the August 17,
2016 regular Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee meeting. Motion carried, 4-0.
Chair Goff welcomed the newly appointed member Committee Member Villarreal. Committee Member Lopez entered the meeting at 10:03 a.m.
GRANT AWARDING
2. Award of Fiscal Year 2016/2017 Docket II 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”) because it is a government fiscal
activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the
environment, and therefore does not constitute a “project” as defined by CEQA
Guidelines section 15378. And even if such action were a “project,” it would be exempt from CEQA review 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 2016/2017 Docket II grants totaling $212,000-$237,00 to the five applicants identified below at the amounts recommended
Applicant
Original
Amount Requested Amount Recommended Proposed Term
Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors $50,000 $42,000 1 year
Immigrant Youth Coalition $30,000 $10,000 1 year
Jovenes, Inc. $100,000 $50,000-$75,000 1 year
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November 16, 2016
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(amount to be
finalized by VCF Grant Committee)
Tree People $60,000 $50,000 1 year
Vision to Learn $75,000 $60,000 1 year
Fran Jemmott, Jemmott-Rollins Group, provided a brief overview of the Grant Fund requests. Committee Member Veres Entered the Meeting at 10:08 a.m.
Ann-Marie Jones, Jemmott Rollins Group, reported on the first proposed grant, Abriendo
Puertas/Opening Doors. It was moved by Gavina and seconded by Goff to approve the grant for Abriendo
Puertas/Opening Doors. Motion carried, 6-0.
Ms. Jones reported on the second proposed grant, Immigrant Youth Coalition.
A discussion ensued between staff and the Committee about the details and programs of the
Immigrant Youth Coalition.
It was moved by Gonzalez and seconded by Gavina to approve the grant for Immigrant Youth Coalition. Motion carried, 6-0.
Ms. Jones reported on the third proposed grant, Jovenes, Inc.
A lengthy discussion ensued between staff and the Committee about the services provided by this organization, the conditions they operate in, and recognition.
It was moved by Veres and seconded by Villarreal to approve the grant for Jovenes, Inc at the
$75,000 amount. Motion carried, 6-0.
Ms. Jones reported on the fourth proposed grant, Tree People.
A lengthy discussion ensued between staff and the Committee about the benefits of this program,
the details of this organization, and engagement with the community.
It was moved by Gavina and seconded by Veres to approve the grant for Tree People. Motion
carried, 6-0.
Ms. Jones reported on the fifth proposed grant, Vision to Learn.
A lengthy discussion ensued between staff and the Committee about the organization and the
funding allocation to the program.
It was moved by Veres and seconded by Lopez to approve the grant for Vision to Learn. Motion
carried, 6-0. NEW BUSINESS
City Administration Department
3. Approval of the Establishment of a Vernon CommUNITY Fund Scholarship Program
Recommendation:
A. Find that the approvals related to the establishment of a Vernon CommUNITY
Fund Scholarship Program referenced in this staff report are exempt from
California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) review, because each are
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November 16, 2016
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continuing administrative activities that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment, and therefore do not constitute a “project”
as defined by CEQA Guidelines section 15378; and
B. Approve and authorize the establishment of a Vernon CommUNITY Fund Scholarship Program; and
C. Approve and authorize a fund allocation from the Vernon CommUNITY Fund in
an amount to be determined (TBD) (from the direct service grant fund allotment)
to dedicate toward the award of scholarships to eligible applicants; and D. Authorize the Scholarship Subcommittee to establish a methodology by which the
Vernon CommUNITY Fund Scholarship Program should operate, select
recipients, and manage the awarding of scholarships.
Ms. Jemmott provided a report on the proposed. Sara Ali, Scholarship Advisor and Manager, provided a PowerPoint Presentation on the
establishment of a scholarship program.
A lengthy discussion ensued between staff and the Committee about the proposed details,
criteria, and fund allocation of a Vernon CommUNITY Fund Scholarship Program.
The Committee came to a consensus to remove the “no greater than 10% per fiscal year”
language and replace it with an amount “To be determined (TBD)”. It was moved by Veres and seconded by Villarreal to approve and authorize the establishment of
a Vernon CommUNITY Fund Scholarship Program AND to approve and authorize a fund
allocation from the Vernon CommUNITY Fund in an amount TBD. Motion carried, 6-0.
It was moved by Veres and seconded by Gavina to authorize a sub-committee to establish a
methodology by which the Vernon CommUNITY Fund Scholarship Program should operate
select recipients, and manage the awarding of scholarships. The sub-committee was formed out
of the volunteers consisting of: Vice Chair Gavina, Committee Member Villarreal, and
Committee Member Lopez. Motion carried, 6-0.
Chair Goff recessed the meeting at 11:40 a.m.
The meeting reconvened at 11:47 a.m.
4. Approval of a Methodology to Prioritize Vernon CommUNITY Fund Capital Grant Applicant Projects
Recommendation:
A. Find that the review of the Vernon CommUNITY Fund Capital Grants
Application Process referenced in this staff report is exempt from California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) review, because it is a continuing
administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment, and therefore does not constitute a “project” as defined by CEQA Guidelines section 15378; and
B. Approve a methodology to prioritize and rank capital grant candidates to
determine those that will proceed to the full proposal stage of the application process established by the Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee. Ms. Jemmott provided a report on the proposed.
A lengthy discussion ensued between staff and the Committee about the guidelines to narrow down the field of applicants and specific criteria that should be used.
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November 16, 2016
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The Committee came to a consensus to not allow geography to be a category to exclude Capital Grant applicants.
The Committee came to a consensus to make $75,000 as a floor a criteria for Capital Grant
applicants. The Committee came to a consensus to make the project have a 10-year “use of life” a criteria
for Capital Grant applicants.
The Committee came to a consensus to the request amount relative to project total cost for Capital Grant applicants.
The discussion continued between staff and the Committee.
It was moved by Gonzalez and seconded by Gavina to approve the following methodology to prioritize and rank capital grant candidates: $75,000 as a floor a criteria; 10-year “use of life” a criteria; and the request amount is to be relative to the project total cost. Motion carried, 6-0.
ORAL REPORTS
5. Brief reports on activities, other brief announcements, and directives to staff. Chair Goff directed staff to come up with a recognition element to the grant process. Ms.
Jemmott noted that the grant agreement letter would need to be modified.
A discussion ensued between staff and the Committee about grantor recognition. 6. Next regular meeting: February 8, 2017
With no further business, Chairperson Goff adjourned the meeting at 12:34 p.m.
________________________ Juliet Goff
Chairperson
ATTEST:
_________________________
Maria E. Ayala, CMC
Secretary