2019-02-20 VCFGC Minutes MINUTES OF THE REGULAR VERNON COMMUNITY FUND GRANT
COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE CITY OF VERNON HELD WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2019, IN COUNCIL CHAMBER OF CITY HALL LOCATED AT 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE, VERNON,
CALIFORNIA
Members Present: Leticia Lopez, Juliet Goff, Julia Juarez, Michael Gavina, David Juarez,
James Chang Members Absent: Steven Froberg
CALL TO ORDER & FLAG SALUTE
Chair Leticia Lopez called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and also lead the flag salute.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
City Clerk Maria Ayala announced that were no changes to the agenda. PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment provided. ELECTION
1. City Clerk Election of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson to serve until the next annual election.
Recommendation: A. Find that the proposed action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) review, 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
B. Elect one of its members as Chairperson for a one-year term; and
C. Elect one of its members as Vice-Chairperson for a one-year term.
It was moved by Juliet Goff and seconded by Michael Gavina to elect Leticia Lopez as Chairperson
for a one year term. Motion carried, 6-0.
Yes: Leticia Lopez, Juliet Goff, Julia Juarez, Michael Gavina, David Juarez, James Chang No: None
It was moved by Julia Juarez and seconded by Leticia Lopez to elect Juliet Goff as Vice
Chairperson for a one year term. Motion carried, 5-0. Yes: Leticia Lopez, Juliet Goff, Julia Juarez, Michael Gavina, David Juarez, James
Chang
No: None
Abstain: Juliet Goff New Committee Member James Chang introduced himself to the Committee and the public.
PRESENTATION
2. City Administration Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grantee Presentation – Southeast
Community Development Corporation (SCDC)
Presentation by: Cesar Zaldivar-Motts
Regular Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Meeting
February 20, 2019
Page 2 of 5
Mr. Cesar Zaldivar-Motts, Execute Director, Southeast Community Development Corporation
conducted the presentation. Vice Chair Goff inquired as to the cost of the internet service. Mr. Zaldivar-Motts responded
accordingly. A discussion ensued between Committee and staff regarding internet services,
enrollment, discount programs, and advertisement.
3. City Administration Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grantee Presentation – LA Family Housing
Presentation by: Hilary Mandel
Ms. Hilary Mandel, Director of Grants at LA Family Housing, conducted the presentation. Ms. Mandel thanked the Committee for their support and generosity.
MINUTES
4. Minutes of the Regular Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Held on November 28, 2018
It was moved by Juliet Goff and seconded by Michael Gavina to approve the amended Minutes of
the Regular Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Held on November 28, 2019. Motion carried, 6-0.
Yes: Leticia Lopez, Juliet Goff, Julia Juarez, Michael Gavina, David Juarez, James
Chang
No: None
GRANT AWARDING
5. City Administration
Award of Fiscal Year 2018/2019 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; and
B. Award Fiscal Year 2018/2019 Docket III grants totaling $138,200 to the five applicants identified below at the amounts recommended:
1) Applicant: Family Health Care Centers of Greater Los Angeles*
Original Amount Requested: $28,200 Amount Recommended: $28,200 Proposed Term: 1 year
*Returning Grantee
2) Applicant: Helpline Youth Counseling* Original Amount Requested: $80,000 Amount Recommended: $30,000
Proposed Term: 1 year
*Returning Grantee
3) Applicant: Human Services Association*
Regular Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Meeting
February 20, 2019
Page 3 of 5
Original Amount Requested: $65,000 Amount Recommended: $30,000 Proposed Term: 1 year
*Returning Grantee
4) Applicant: The Whole Child Original Amount Requested: $10,000 Amount Recommended: $10,000
Proposed Term: 1 year
5) Applicant: Woodcraft Rangers* Original Amount Requested: $40,000 Amount Recommended: $40,000
Proposed Term: 1 year
*Returning Grantee
Fran Jemmott, Jemmott-Rollins Group, reported on the first proposed grant applicant, Health Care
Centers of Greater Los Angeles.
A dialogue ensued between Committee and staff regarding general operation expenditures, number
of centers operating, personnel management, population served, kiosks and ultrasound machines.
No public comment provided.
It was moved by Vice-Chair Juliet Goff 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 III grants totaling $138,200 to the five applicants identified below at the
amounts recommended: Motion carried, 6-0
Applicant: Family Health Care Centers of Greater Los Angeles*
Original Amount Requested: $28,200
Amount Recommended: $28,200
Proposed Term: 1 year
*Returning Grantee
Yes: Leticia Lopez, Juliet Goff, Julia Juarez, Michael Gavina, David Juarez, James
Chang
No: None
Ms. Jemmott, reported on the second proposed grant applicant, Helpline Youth Counseling*.
Committee Member Julia Juarez inquired if the 144 homeless persons placed into stable rental
housing were homeless people living on the streets in the Vernon area. Ms. Jemmott replied
accordingly.
No public comment provided.
It was moved by Vice-Chair Juliet Goff and seconded by Michael Gavina 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 III grants totaling $138,200 to the five applicants identified below at the
amounts recommended: Motion carried, 6-0
Regular Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Meeting
February 20, 2019
Page 4 of 5
Applicant: Helpline Youth Counseling*
Original Amount Requested: $80,000
Amount Recommended: $30,000 Proposed Term: 1 year
*Returning Grantee
Yes: Leticia Lopez, Juliet Goff, Julia Juarez, Michael Gavina, David Juarez, James
Chang No: None
Maya Cacavas, Jemmott-Rollins Group, reported on the third proposed grant applicant Human
Services Association*. Chair Lopez recused herself from the discussion.
No public comment provided.
It was moved by Vice-Chair Juliet Goff and seconded by Michael Gavina 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 III grants totaling $138,200 to the five applicants identified below at the amounts recommended: Motion carried, 5-0.
Yes: Juliet Goff, Julia Juarez, Michael Gavina, David Juarez, James Chang
No: None
Abstain: Leticia Lopez
Chair Lopez rejoined the meeting.
Ms. Cacavas, reported on the fourth grant applicant, The Whole Child.
Vice-Chair Goff complimented Jemmott-Rollins Group for their well-planned docket presentation.
No public comment provided.
It was moved by Vice-Chair Juliet Goff and seconded by Chair Leticia Lopez 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 III grants totaling $138,200 to the five applicants identified below at the
amounts recommended: Motion carried, 6-0.
Applicant: The Whole Child Original Amount Requested: $10,000
Amount Recommended: $10,000
Proposed Term: 1 year
Yes: Leticia Lopez, Juliet Goff, Julia Juarez, Michael Gavina, David Juarez, James Chang No: None
Ms. Jemmott, reported on the fifth grant applicant, Woodcraft Rangers*.
Vice-Chair Goff inquired as to the exposure for the support provided.
Regular Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee Meeting
February 20, 2019
Page 5 of 5
Finance Director William Fox explained the City’s conservative approach. A dialogue ensued
between Committee and staff regarding the children’s activities versus potential liability on the
City’s behalf.
No public comment provided.
It was moved by Julia Juarez and seconded by Chair Leticia Lopez 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 III grants totaling $138,200 to the five applicants identified below at the amounts recommended: Motion carried, 6-0.
Applicant: Woodcraft Rangers*
Original Amount Requested: $40,000
Amount Recommended: $40,000 Proposed Term: 1 year
*Returning Grantee
Yes: Leticia Lopez, Juliet Goff, Julia Juarez, Michael Gavina, David Juarez, James Chang
No: None
ORAL REPORTS
Diana Figueroa, Administrative Analyst, provided a brief update on the Scholarship Program. The
program has been broadcast on social media, the City’s website, and various members of the community have been informed of the program. The deadline to submit applications is Thursday, March 28, 2019.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, at 11:27 a.m., Chair Lopez adjourned the meeting.
________________________
Leticia Lopez Chair
ATTEST:
_________________________
Maria E. Ayala
City Clerk