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2018-08-15 VCFGC MinutesPage 1 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR VERNON COMMUNITY FUND GRANT COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE CITY OF VERNON HELD WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2018, IN COUNCIL CHAMBER OF CITY HALL LOCATED AT 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE, VERNON, CALIFORNIA CALL TO ORDER & FLAG SALUTE Chair Lopez called the meeting to order at 10:14 a.m. Chair Lopez also led the flag salute. Members Present:Leticia Lopez, Julia Juarez, David Juarez, and Steven Froberg Members Absent:Juliet Goff and Michael Gavina CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Deputy City Clerk Matthew Ceballos announced that there were no changes to the agenda. PUBLIC COMMENT No public comment provided. MINUTES 1)Minutes of the Regular Vernon Community Fund Grant Committee Meeting held on May 16, 2018 Recommendation:A. Receive and File It was moved by Julia Juarez and seconded by Steven Froberg to approve the Minutes of the Regular Vernon Community Fund Grant Committee Meeting held on May 16, 2018. Motion carried, 4 - 0. No public comment provided. Yes:Leticia Lopez, Julia Juarez, David Juarez, Steven Froberg No:None GRANT AWARDING 2)Award of Fiscal Year 2018/2019 Docket I 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 Regular Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Meeting August 15, 2018 Page 2 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 2018/2019 Docket I grants totaling $160,000 to the four applicants identified below at the amounts recommended: Applicant: Dolores Mission School Original Amount Requested: $40,000 Amount Recommended: $30,000 Proposed Term: 1 year Applicant: East Los Angeles Women's Center* Original Amount Requested: $60,000 Amount Recommended: $45,000 Proposed Term: 1 year *Returning Grantee Applicant: Holy Angels Church of the Deaf* Original Amount Requested: $50,320 Amount Recommended: $45,000 Proposed Term: 1 year *Returning Grantee Applicant: Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice* Original Amount Requested: $50,000 Amount Recommended: $40,000 Proposed Term: 1 year *Returning Grantee Fran Jemmott, Jemmott-Rollins Group, reported on the proposed Dolores Mission School grant and provided a brief summary about the school values, education offered, and announced that they provided a quality experience. Member Froberg inquired if the student has to be Catholic, staff responded that the school accepts everyone. Member Lopez inquired about the number of kids that attends the school, staff responded accordingly. No public comment provided. It was moved by Julia Juarez and seconded by David Juarez to: 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 Regular Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Meeting August 15, 2018 Page 3 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 2018/2019 Docket I grants totaling $160,000 to the four applicants identified below at the amounts recommended: Applicant: Dolores Mission School Original Amount Requested: $40,000 Amount Recommended: $30,000 Proposed Term: 1 year. Motion carried, 4 - 0. Yes:Leticia Lopez, Julia Juarez, David Juarez, Steven Froberg No:None Ms. Jemmott reported on the proposed East Los Angeles Women's Center grant and spoke briefly about their expansion to south east cities and successes. Member J. Juarez suggested that they should acknowledge the Vernon CommUNITY Fund during their annual Gala. Member D. Juarez inquired about the number of times they have applied for a fund, staff responded accordingly. No public comment provided. It was moved by Julia Juarez and seconded by Steven Froberg to: 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 2018/2019 Docket I grants totaling $160,000 to the four applicants identified below at the amounts recommended: Applicant: East Los Angeles Women's Center* Original Amount Requested: $60,000 Amount Recommended: $45,000 Proposed Term: 1 year *Returning Grantee. Motion carried, 4 - 0. Regular Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Meeting August 15, 2018 Page 4 Yes:Leticia Lopez, Julia Juarez, David Juarez, Steven Froberg No:None Ms. Jemmott reported on the proposed Holy Angels Church of the Deaf grant and provided a brief overview of the Church services. Member D. Juarez inquired as to the amount of people the church serves, staff responded the church's service base was entirety dedicated to serve the deaf. No public comment provided. It was moved by Steven Froberg and seconded by Julia Juarez to: 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 2018/2019 Docket I grants totaling $160,000 to the four applicants identified below at the amounts recommended: Applicant: Holy Angels Church of the Deaf* Original Amount Requested: $50,320 Amount Recommended: $45,000 Proposed Term: 1 year *Returning Grantee. Motion carried, 4 - 0. Yes:Leticia Lopez, Julia Juarez, David Juarez, Steven Froberg No:None Ms. Jemmott reported on the proposed Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice grant and gave a brief description of the organization and the legal services it provides. Member J. Juarez inquired about if they work with human trafficking, Ms. Jemmott responded that they handle cases of sexual assault but not specifically said anything about trafficking. A brief discussion ensued regarding this issue, client listings, and other forms of legal aid. No public comment provided. It was moved by David Juarez and seconded by Julia Juarez to: 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 Regular Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Meeting August 15, 2018 Page 5 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 2018/2019 Docket I grants totaling $160,000 to the four applicants identified below at the amounts recommended: Applicant: Los Angeles Center for Law and Justice* Original Amount Requested: $50,000 Amount Recommended: $40,000 Proposed Term: 1 year *Returning Grantee. Motion carried, 4 - 0. Yes:Leticia Lopez, Julia Juarez, David Juarez, Steven Froberg No:None DISCUSSION ITEMS AND POSSIBLE DIRECTIVES TO STAFF 3)Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Discussion Regarding Repeat Capital Grant Applicants Recommendation:A. Find that the action recommended in this staff report does not constitute a “project” pursuant to Section 15378(b)(2) of the Guidelines to the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) because such recommendations constitute an administrative activity; and even if the proposed action does constitute a project, it would be exempt from 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. Discuss and direct staff regarding potential limits to the number of times that an organization may submit an application for a Vernon CommUNITY Fund (“VCF”) Capital Grant after receiving a grant award from the VCF. Administrative Analyst Diana Figueroa reported on this item and provided a brief statement about the times a grantee can apply for a grant. A lengthy dialogue ensued between the Committee and staff regarding previous applicants, the amount and uses of money available, logistic of the capital grants, and applicant restrictions. The Committee came to a consensus to direct staff to: limit the available awards to two times; limit the amount of funds available to an applicant for the amount of $250,000; and applications must have a 5 year wait period before reapplying. NEW BUSINESS Regular Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Meeting August 15, 2018 Page 6 4)Report on FY 2017/2018 Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Activity Recommendation:A. Find that receiving this report on grants awarded by the Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) review, because it is an administrative action 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. Receive and file this report, as it is being provided for informational purposes only. Administrative Analyst Diana Figueroa provided a report for informational purposes only and provided a brief summary of previous grants awarded for last year. No public comment provided. It was moved by Julia Juarez and seconded by David Juarez to: A. Find that receiving this report on grants awarded by the Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) review, because it is an administrative action 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. Receive and file this report, as it is being provided for informational purposes only. Motion carried, 4 - 0. Yes:Leticia Lopez, Julia Juarez, David Juarez, Steven Froberg No:None 5)Amendment No. 1 to the Capital Grant Agreement between the Vernon CommUNITY Fund and City of Bell for Renovation of Ernest Debs Park Recommendation:A. Find that the approval of the proposed amendment 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 Amendment No. 1 to the Capital Grant Agreement between the Vernon CommUNITY Fund and City of Bell for Renovation of Ernest Debs Park which extends the target completion date of the Ernest Debs capital project to December 31, 2018; and C. Authorize the City Administrator to execute Amendment No. 1 in substantially the same form as submitted herewith. Regular Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Meeting August 15, 2018 Page 7 Administrative Analyst Figueroa reported on the proposed. Member D. Juarez inquired about what the project entailed, Administrative Analyst Figueroa replied that the project was for the turf of a soccer field. No public comment provided. It was moved by Julia Juarez and seconded by Steven Froberg to: A. Find that the approval of the proposed amendment 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 Amendment No. 1 to the Capital Grant Agreement between the Vernon CommUNITY Fund and City of Bell for Renovation of Ernest Debs Park which extends the target completion date of the Ernest Debs capital project to December 31, 2018; and C. Authorize the City Administrator to execute Amendment No. 1 in substantially the same form as submitted herewith. Motion carried, 4 - 0. Yes:Leticia Lopez, Julia Juarez, David Juarez, Steven Froberg No:None 6)Vernon CommUNITY Fund Pilot Scholarship Program Guidelines Recommendation:A. Find that the Vernon CommUNITY Fund “Pilot” Scholarship Program Guidelines 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 and adopt the proposed Vernon CommUNITY Fund (“VCF”) Scholarship Program Guidelines for the VCF Pilot Scholarship Program, with implementation of said guidelines subject to amendment of Article XX, Sections 2.165 and 2.166, of the Vernon Municipal Code. Administrative Analyst Figueroa reported on the proposed Pilot Scholarship Program Guidelines. No public comment provided. Regular Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Meeting August 15, 2018 Page 8 Member D. Juarez inquired about the dollar amount of scholarships grants and how people will be informed about the program. Administrative Analyst Figueroa responded that $20,000 is available per scholarship and provided other details regarding the program rollout. It was moved by David Juarez and seconded by Steven Froberg to: A. Find that the Vernon CommUNITY Fund “Pilot” Scholarship Program Guidelines 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 and adopt the proposed Vernon CommUNITY Fund (“VCF”) Scholarship Program Guidelines for the VCF Pilot Scholarship Program, with implementation of said guidelines subject to amendment of Article XX, Sections 2.165 and 2.166, of the Vernon Municipal Code. Motion carried, 4 - 0. Yes:Leticia Lopez, Julia Juarez, David Juarez, Steven Froberg No:None ORAL REPORTS Administrative Analyst Figueroa provided a brief report on how the grant funds are distributed and provided a handout showing this dispersal. ADJOURNMENT With no further business, at 11:24 a.m., Chair Lopez adjourned the meeting. ________________________ Leticia Lopez Chair ATTEST: _________________________ Maria E. Ayala City Clerk