2017-02-15 Grant Committee MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR VERNON COMMUNITY FUND
GRANT COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE CITY OF VERNON HELD
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017, 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, Sandra Villarreal, Steve Veres, Rafael
Gonzalez and Julia Juarez
MEMBERS ABSENT: Leticia Lopez
Chairperson Goff called the meeting to order at 10:02 a.m. and also led the flag salute.
City Clerk Maria Ayala announced that there were no changes to the agenda. Newly appointed
commissioner Julia Juarez briefly introduced herself.
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.
Fred McFarlane, Senior Advisor to the City Administrator, spoke about the grant to the Southern California Golf Association Foundation and disclosed that he served on the Southern California
Golf Association Board.
GRANT AWARDING
1. Award of Fiscal Year 2016/2017 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”) 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 III grants totaling $155,000 to the six
applicants identified below at the amounts recommended:
Applicant
Original
Amount Requested Amount Recommended Proposed Term
Future Scholars of Bell $50,000 $5,000 1 year
LA Community Garden
Council $100,000 $40,000 1 year
Proyecto Pastoral at
Dolores Mission $40,000 $35,000 1 year
Southern California Golf
Association $10,000 $10,000 1 year
South Central Los Angeles
Regional Center $247,746 $30,000 1 year
YMCA Metro LA (for SE Rio Vista) $75,000 $35,000 1 year
Fran Jemmott, Jemmott-Rollins Group, provided a brief overview of the Grant Fund requests.
Regular Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Meeting Minutes
February 15, 2017
Page 2 of 4
Ann-Marie Jones, Jemmott Rollins Group, reported on the first proposed grant, Future Scholars of Bell.
A dialogue ensued between staff and the Committee regarding the scope of the program.
It was moved by Gavina and seconded by Villarreal to approve the grant for A Future Scholars of Bell. Motion carried, 4-0.
Goff: Yes
Gavina: Yes Villarreal: Yes Veres: Absent
Gonzalez: Absent
Juarez: Yes
Lopez: Absent Ms. Jones reported on the second proposed grant, LA Community Garden Council.
A dialogue ensued between staff and the Committee regarding possible garden locations in the
local area.
It was moved by Gavina and seconded by Villarreal to approve the grant for LA Community
Garden Council. Motion carried, 4-0
Goff: Yes Gavina: Yes
Villarreal: Yes
Veres: Absent
Gonzalez: Absent
Juarez: Yes Lopez: Absent
Ms. Jemmott reported on the third proposed grant, Proyecto Pastoral at Dolores Mission.
Chairperson Goff inquired about the recognition piece, Ms. Jemmott noted that the Vernon Community Fund would be recognized in the annual report.
Member Gonzalez joined the meeting at 10:14 a.m.
A lengthy dialogue ensued between staff and the Committee regarding recognition aspect in the grant agreement.
Member Veres joined the meeting at 10:23 a.m.
It was moved by Gavina and seconded by Veres to approve the grant for Proyecto Pastoral at Dolores Mission. Motion carried, 6-0.
Goff: Yes
Gavina: Yes Villarreal: Yes Veres: Yes
Gonzalez: Yes
Juarez: Yes
Lopez: Absent
Ms. Jones reported on the fourth proposed grant, Southern California Golf Association.
Senior Deputy City Attorney Zaynah Moussa announced that Mr. McFarlane would not be
participating or engaging in any dialogue or discussion regarding this item. A dialogue ensued between staff and the Committee regarding the merits of this organization.
Regular Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Meeting Minutes
February 15, 2017
Page 3 of 4
It was moved by Gavina and seconded by Veres to approve the grant for Southern California Golf
Association. Motion carried, 6-0.
Goff: Yes Gavina: Yes Villarreal: Yes
Veres: Yes
Gonzalez: Yes
Juarez: Yes Lopez: Absent
Ms. Jemmott reported on the fifth proposed grant, South Central Los Angeles Regional Center.
A dialogue ensued between staff and the Committee regarding service area issues and other resources the CommUNITY fund can provide. It was moved by Gavina and seconded by Gonzalez to approve the grant for South Central Los
Angeles Regional Center. Motion carried, 6-0.
Goff: Yes
Gavina: Yes
Villarreal: Yes
Veres: Yes
Gonzalez: Yes Juarez: Yes
Lopez: Absent
Ms. Jemmott reported on the sixth proposed grant, YMCA Metro LA (for SE Rio Vista).
Vice Chair Gavina recused himself as he sits on the board for the organization.
A dialogue between Senior Deputy City Attorney Moussa and Committee regarding information
on potential conflict of interest issues.
It was moved by Gonzalez and seconded by Juarez to approve the grant for YMCA Metro LA (for
SE Rio Vista). Motion carried, 5-0, Gavina abstained due to recusal.
Goff: Yes
Gavina: Abstained Villarreal: Yes
Veres: Yes
Gonzalez: Yes
Juarez: Yes
Lopez: Absent NEW BUSINESS
City Administration Department
2. Approval of Select Framework Components of the Vernon CommUNITY Fund Scholarship Program
Recommendation: A. Find that the approvals related to the Vernon CommUNITY Fund Scholarship
Program referenced in this staff report are exempt from California Environmental
Quality Act (“CEQA”) review, because each are 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
Regular Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Meeting Minutes
February 15, 2017
Page 4 of 4
B. Approve and authorize a fund allocation from the Vernon CommUNITY Fund in
an amount no greater than $200,000 to award scholarships to eligible applicants –
$100,000 for each of FY 2017/2018 and FY 2018/2019 – which sum would be
drawn from the direct service grant fund allotment and would include administrative costs directly associated with the management of the Scholarship Program. Monetary allotment for the Scholarship Program would be contingent
upon City Council’s approval to allocate funds to the Vernon CommUNITY Fund
in the upcoming years; and
C. Approve the definition of “eligible applicants” to be dependents of Vernon residents and/or dependents of employees of Vernon businesses; and
D. Approve and authorize City staff to work jointly with Jemmott Rollins Group to
initiate a Request for Proposals process to ascertain interest and qualifications of non-profit organizations to manage the Vernon CommUNITY Fund Scholarship Program.
Administrative Analyst Diana Figueroa and Ms. Jemmott provided a report on the proposed.
A lengthy dialogue ensued between staff and the Committee regarding the scholarship amount,
further clarification on eligibility, and the service area.
It was moved by Veres and seconded by Villarreal to approve the Select Framework Components
of the Vernon CommUNITY Fund Scholarship Program found in item number 2 A B, and D, omitting line item C and with a revision to line D eliminating the word “non-profit”. Motion
carried, 6-0.
Goff: Yes
Gavina: Yes Villarreal: Yes
Veres: Yes
Gonzalez: Yes
Juarez: Yes
Lopez: Absent ORAL REPORTS 3. Brief reports on activities, other brief announcements, and directives to staff.
A lengthy dialogue ensued between staff and the Committee regarding recognition. The
Committee reached consensus to direct staff to bring back new proposed language on recognition
for grant award agreement letter and gather information regarding an open house event.
Member Veres exited meeting at 11:52 a.m. 4. Next regular meeting: May 17, 2017
With no further business, Chairperson Goff adjourned the meeting at 11:55 a.m.
________________________
Juliet Goff Chairperson ATTEST:
_________________________ Maria E. Ayala, CMC Secretary