2017-06-13 Grant Committee Minutes(special)MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL VERNON COMMUNITY FUND GRANT
COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE CITY OF VERNON HELD
TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 2017, AT 10:30 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, Rafael Gonzalez, and Julia Juarez
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
Vice Chairperson Gavina called the meeting to order at 10:34 a.m. and also led the flag salute.
Deputy City Clerk Matthew Ceballos announced that there were no changes to the agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Vice 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.
Marias Olguin, Vernon Chamber of Commerce, spoke about capital improvement grants and complimented the Jemmott-Rollins Group for their efforts; and also requested more advanced notice when events are planned.
GRANT AWARDING
1. Award of Fiscal Year 2016/2017 Docket IV 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: and
B. Award Fiscal Year 2016/2017 Docket IV grants totaling $205,000 to the five
applicants identified below at the amounts recommended:
Applicant
Original
Amount
Requested
Amount
Recommended
Proposed
Term
Alzheimer’s Greater Los
Angeles $39,996
$40,000
$39,996 1 year
Boys and Girls Club of
West San Gabriel Valley $50,000 $50,000 1 year
Las Fotos Project (2nd) $25,000 $25,000 1 year
LA Neighborhood Land
Trust $75,000 $40,000 1 year
Opportunity Fund (2nd) $50,000 $50,000 1 year
Chair Goff arrived at 10:38 a.m. and took over as Chair of the meeting.
Fran Jemmott, Jemmott-Rollins Group, provided a brief overview of the Grant Fund requests.
Ann-Marie Jones, Jemmott Rollins Group, reported on the first proposed grant, Alzheimer’s
Greater Los Angeles.
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June 13, 2017
Page 2 of 6
Vice Chair Gavina recused himself from the vote since family members were on the board of the
applying application, and left the meeting at 10:45 a.m.
A dialogue ensued between staff and the Committee regarding the creation of a more robust way of Committee recognition and a possible press release.
It was moved by Veres and seconded by Villarreal to approve the grant for Alzheimer’s Greater
Los Angeles. Motion carried, 6-0.
Goff: Yes Gavina: Abstain
Villarreal: Yes
Veres: Yes
Gonzalez: Yes Juarez: Yes Lopez: Yes
Vice Chair Gavina returned to the meeting at 10:49 a.m.
Ms. Jones reported on the second proposed grant, Boys and Girls Club of West San Gabriel Valley.
It was moved by Veres and seconded by Gavina to approve the grant for Boys and Girls Club of
West San Gabriel Valley. Motion carried, 7-0.
Goff: Yes
Gavina: Yes
Villarreal: Yes
Veres: Yes
Gonzalez: Yes Juarez: Yes
Lopez: Yes
Ms. Jones reported on the third proposed grant, Las Fotos Project (2nd).
A lengthy dialogue ensued between staff and the Committee regarding the program details, the
recruitment process, expansion of the program, program locations, and the service base amount.
It was moved by Gonzalez and seconded by Lopez to approve the grant for Las Fotos Project (2nd).
Motion carried, 7-0. Goff: Yes
Gavina: Yes
Villarreal: Yes
Veres: Yes Gonzalez: Yes
Juarez: Yes
Lopez: Yes
Ms. Jones reported on the fourth proposed grant, LA Neighborhood Land Trust.
A lengthy dialogue ensued between staff and the Committee regarding the Measure A needs
assessment, the narrowing of a “needs list”, County formulas to distribute funding to community
priorities, and the service area of the applicant. The dialogue shifted to the framing of the motion to deny but to have applicant reevaluate and reapply with new criteria. There was voiced confusion by the Committee over applicant desire for general operating funding versus programmatic
funding.
It was moved by Veres to reduce the grant award amount to $10,000, motion failed for lack of second.
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June 13, 2017
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Vice Chair Gavina voiced his concern over reducing the grant amount.
It was moved by Gavina and seconded by Veres to deny the grant for LA Neighborhood Land
Trust due to the grant applicant’s lack of service in the Vernon area and a lack of tangible goals.
Motion carried, 7-0. Goff: Yes
Gavina: Yes
Villarreal: Yes
Veres: Yes Gonzalez: Yes Juarez: Yes
Lopez: Yes
Ms. Jones reported on the fifth proposed grant, Opportunity Fund (2nd). It was moved by Gavina and seconded by Juarez to approve the grant for Opportunity Fund (2nd).
Motion carried, 7-0.
Goff: Yes Gavina: Yes
Villarreal: Yes
Veres: Yes
Gonzalez: Yes
Juarez: Yes Lopez: Yes
2. Award of Fiscal Year 2016/2017 Vernon CommUNITY Fund Capital Grants and
Approval of Related Capital Grant Form Agreement
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. As to the
proposed capital projects, the City of Vernon is not a “lead agency” for purposes of CEQA, and the grant agreement requires that recipients submit proof of approvals
under CEQA for any applicable work to be completed with grant funds; and
B. Award Fiscal Year 2016/2017 capital grants totaling $500,000 $488,268.40 to the
two applicants identified below at the amounts recommended:
Applicant
Original
Amount Requested Amount Recommended Description
City of Bell $238,268.40 $250,000
$238,268.40
Renovation of existing soccer
field
Puente Learning
Center $750,000 $250,000
Renovation/Expansion of
instructional space
and playground
area
C. Approve of the attached capital grant form agreement, in substantially the same
form as submitted herewith, for Vernon CommUNITY Fund Capital Grant recipients to execute upon notification of their grant award. The proposed form
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June 13, 2017
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agreement would be provided in conjunction with the existing form Grantee Approval Cover Letter used for all grantees.
Ms. Jemmott provided a brief overview of the Grant Fund requests.
Ms. Jemmott reported on the first proposed capital grant, City of Bell.
A lengthy dialogue ensued between staff and the Committee regarding the future infrastructure
needs, use of the City of Bell field, maintenance, expected use of life, and the recognition piece.
The Committee came to a consensus on a desire for a Vernon CommUNITY Fund short term and long term recognition piece supplemental to the grant to renovate the existing soccer field.
It was moved by Veres and seconded by Juarez to approve the capital grant for City of Bell.
Motion carried, 7-0. Goff: Yes
Gavina: Yes
Villarreal: Yes
Veres: Yes Gonzalez: Yes
Juarez: Yes
Lopez: Yes
Ms. Jemmott reported on the second proposed grant, Puente Learning Center.
It was moved by Veres and seconded by Lopez to approve the grant for Puente Learning Center.
Motion carried, 7-0.
Goff: Yes Gavina: Yes
Villarreal: Yes
Veres: Yes
Gonzalez: Yes
Juarez: Yes Lopez: Yes
It was moved by Veres and seconded by Gonzalez to approve of the attached capital grant form
agreement for Vernon CommUNITY Fund Capital Grant recipients to execute upon notification
of their grant award. Motion carried, 7-0.
Goff: Yes
Gavina: Yes
Villarreal: Yes
Veres: Yes Gonzalez: Yes
Juarez: Yes
Lopez: Ye
A lengthy dialogue ensued between staff and the Committee regarding the recognition details of the awarded capital grants.
NEW BUSINESS
City Administration Department 3. Approval of Revised Form Grantee Documentation to Address Recognition for
Vernon CommUNITY Fund and Grant Awardees
Recommendation:
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June 13, 2017
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A. Find that the revised grantee documentation proposed in this staff report is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because it is an
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 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;
and
B. Approve of the revised form Grantee Agreement which elaborates on the City’s expectation of promotion and publicity as it relates to the mission and activities of both the grantee and the Vernon CommUNITY Fund (“grantor”); and
C. Approve of the revised form Grantee Approval Cover Letter, in substantially the
same form as submitted herewith, which elaborates on the City’s desire to recognize Vernon CommUNITY Fund (“VCF”) grant recipients (“grantees”) and acknowledge the grantmaking efforts of the Vernon City Council and the VCF
Grant Committee.
Ms. Jemmott provided a report on the proposed.
It was moved by Veres and seconded by Juarez to approve of the revised form Grantee Agreement
which elaborates on the City’s expectation of promotion and publicity as it relates to the mission
and activities of both the grantee and the Vernon CommUNITY Fund (“grantor”) and approve of
the revised form Grantee Approval Cover Letter, in substantially the same form as submitted herewith, which elaborates on the City’s desire to recognize Vernon CommUNITY Fund (“VCF”)
grant recipients (“grantees”) and acknowledge the grantmaking efforts of the Vernon City Council
and the VCF Grant Committee. Motion carried, 7-0.
Goff: Yes Gavina: Yes
Villarreal: Yes
Veres: Yes
Gonzalez: Yes
Juarez: Yes Lopez: Ye
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE DIRECTIVES TO STAFF
4. Post Grant Award Follow-Up – discussion of grant follow-up goals and ongoing reporting requirements for grant recipients
The Committee, individually noted the desire to see the following goals and requirements carried
out:
• Chair Goff expressed a desire for a Funding Allocation Map, advanced noticing of Grant
related Events, Incubation and outreach, presentations on how the grant funds were used.
• Member Juarez expressed a desire for an annual event for non-profits and other
organizations, community outreach, micro-grants, and a showcase of current grants.
• Member Gonzalez expressed a desire for community engagement, informal networks, and education on available grants.
Ms. Rollins responded to all request, clarifying what was feasible and what was out of the Jemmott-
Rollins Group’s scope of work.
Member Villarreal left the meeting at 12:30 p.m.
Ms. Jemmott suggested using the website to put grant information and resources available.
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June 13, 2017
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Member Gonzalez left the meeting at 12:32 p.m.
Member Juarez also wanted to connect resources to informal groups and request ideas/needs from
the community. The Committee came to a consensus to request the continual mapping of the fund impact and be
provided with updates every time a grant is approved.
ORAL REPORTS 5. Brief reports on activities, other brief announcements, and directives to staff.
Tanya Lyon, Public Information Officer, briefly introduced herself and explained what her role
would be.
6. Next regular meeting: August 16, 2017
With no further business, Chairperson Goff adjourned the meeting at 12:46 p.m.
________________________ Juliet Goff Chairperson
ATTEST:
_________________________
Maria E. Ayala, CMC
Secretary