2019-05-15 VCFGC MinutesMINUTES VERNON COMMUNITY FUND GRANT COMMITTEE
REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 2019 COUNCIL CHAMBER, 4305 SANTA FE AVENUE
CALL TO ORDER & FLAG SALUTE Chair Lopez called the meeting to order at 10:02 a.m. Members Present: Leticia Lopez, Juliet Goff, Julia Juarez, Michael Gavina, David Juarez Members Absent: Steven Froberg, James Chang
Committee Member Juarez led the flag salute. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
City Clerk Ayala announced that there were no changes to the agenda. PUBLIC COMMENT Maria Brenes, Executive Director, Inner Cycle Struggle, provided a brief overview of the services
provided to families through the organization. Alejandra Meza, Kristian Cardenas, and Estephanie Solano, youth alumni of Inner Cycle Struggle, commented on the support and positive impact they received from Inner Cycle Struggle.
MINUTES 1. Minutes of the Regular Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee held on February 20, 2019
Recommendation: A. Receive and File.
MOTION Member Goff moved and Member Gavina seconded a motion to approve the Minutes of the Regular Vernon CommUNITY Fund Grant Committee held on February 20, 2019. The
motion carried 5 – 0, Members Froberg and Chang absent. GRANT AWARDING 2. Award of Fiscal Year 2018/2019 Docket IV Vernon CommUNITY Fund Direct
Service 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
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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 IV direct service grants totaling $150,000 to the four (4) applicants identified below at the amounts recommended: 1) Applicant: Huntington Park Youth Football and Cheer*
Original Amount Requested: $20,000
Amount Recommended: $20,000 Proposed Term: 1 year *Returning Grantee 2) Applicant: Las Fotos Project*
Original Amount Requested: $40,000
Amount Recommended: $35,000 Proposed Term: 1 year *Returning Grantee 3) Applicant: Opportunity Fund*
Original Amount Requested: $50,000
Amount Recommended: $45,000 Proposed Term: 1 year *Returning Grantee 4) Applicant: Proyecto Pastoral at Dolores Mission*
Original Amount Requested: $55,350
Amount Recommended: $50,000 Proposed Term: 1 year *Returning Grantee Fran Jemmott, Jemmott-Rollins Group, introduced the newest member of their staff, Ms. Brettany Tucker. The consideration of grant applicants was taken out of order, to allow Ms. Tucker an
opportunity to observe the process for presenting the applicants to the Committee.
Ms. Jemmott reported on the grant application from Las Fotos Project. In response to Vice-Chair Goff, Ms. Jemmott explained the increased grant request and
proposed use of funds.
No public comment was provided. MOTION
Vice Chair Goff moved and Member Juarez seconded a motion to: A. Find that the award
of the grant is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act; and B. Award $35,000 to Las Fotos Project. The motion carried 5-0, Members Froberg and Chang absent.
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Ms. Tucker reported on the grant application from Huntington Park Youth Football and Cheer.
In response to Vice-Chair Goff, Ms. Tucker explained the additional information inadvertently not printed in the report. A dialogue ensued between the Committee and staff regarding the longevity of the
organization, number of program participants forecasted for the year 2020, scholarships
and sponsorships, sports equipment, and staff training and certification. No public comment was provided.
MOTION
Vice Chair Goff moved and Member Gavina seconded a motion to: A. Find that award of the grant is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act; and B. Award $20,000 to Huntington Park Youth Football and Cheer. The motion carried 5-0, Members Froberg and Chang absent.
Ms. Jemmott reported on the grant applicant from Opportunity Fund. She advised the Committee that the report provided was conducted by Consultant, Jonathan Macaranas, who was hired to undertake the due diligence of the grant applicant.
A dialogue ensued between the Committee and staff as to the allocation of the requested funds, outreach efforts to neighboring areas to originate general support, average loan amounts, engaging of people and businesses in the Vernon area, licensing, and fundamental business preparation, and the ability to manage and maintain alliance and essentials.
No public comment was provided. MOTION Vice Chair Goff moved and Member Juarez seconded a motion to: A. Find that the award
of the grant is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act; and B. Award $45,000 to Opportunity Fund. The motion carried 4–1, Member Juarez abstaining and Members Froberg and Chang absent. Ms. Jemmott reported on the grant application from Proyecto Pastoral at Dolores Mission.
Committee Member Michael Gavina disclosed that his family had close affiliation with the organization and sought legal counsel’s advice regarding his voting participation. Senior Deputy City Attorney Moussa indicated there was no conflict.
No public comment was provided.
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MOTION Vice Chair Goff moved and Member Juarez seconded a motion to: A. Find that the award
of the grant is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act; and B. Award
$50,000 to Proyecto Pastoral at Dolores Mission. The motion carried 4–1, Member Juarez abstaining and Members Froberg and Chang absent. 3. Award of Fiscal Year 2018/2019 Vernon CommUNITY Fund Capital 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. 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 2018/2019 capital grants totaling $206,000 to the three (3) applicants identified below at the amounts recommended: 1) Applicant: California Children's Academy Original Amount Requested: $50,000
Amount Recommended: $50,000 Proposed Term: 1 year 2) Applicant: Clinica Romero Original Amount Requested: $150,000 Amount Recommended: $66,000
Proposed Term: 1 year 3) Applicant: InnerCity Struggle Original Amount Requested: $200,000 Amount Recommended: $90,000 Proposed Term: 1 year
Ms. Jemmott reported on grant applicants, California Children's Academy, and Clinica Romero.
Chair Lopez informed the Committee that she refers clients to Clinica Romero and inquired if she should recuse herself from the vote. Senior Deputy City Attorney Moussa indicated there was no conflict. Ms. Jemmott reported on the grant application from InnerCity Struggle.
Committee Member Julia Juarez, inquired as to the geographical areas served by the organization and the organization’s community outreach efforts. Ms. Brenes, Executive
Director, InnerCity Struggle, responded accordingly.
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A discussion ensued between the Committee Members, staff and Ms. Brenes regarding the requested funding, the organization’s budget, and grant award recognition for the
Committee.
No public comment provided. MOTION
Vice Chair Goff moved and Member Juarez seconded a motion to: A. Find that the award
of the grants is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act; and B. Award Fiscal Year 2018/2019 capital grants totaling $206,000 to California Children's Academy, $50,000; Clinica Romero, $66,000; and InnerCity Struggle, $90,000. The motion carried 5-0, Members Froberg and Chang absent.
4. Award of Fiscal Year 2018/2019 Vernon CommUNITY Fund Scholarship 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 scholarship grants totaling $20,000 to the seven (7)
applicants identified below at the amounts recommended:
1) Applicant: #3 - Yani Martinez Amount: $2,000 School: Huntington Park Institute of Applied Medicine (HPIAM) Marquez High School
Resident City: Huntington Park
2) Applicant: #8 - Nayeli Jimenez Alvarado Amount: $5,000 School: Garfield High School
Resident City: East Los Angeles
3) Applicant: #9 - Kimberly Robles Amount: $2,000 School: Garfield High School Resident City: East Los Angeles
4) Applicant: #18 - Valeria Valencia
Amount: $2,000 School: LIBRA Academy Marquez High School Resident City: Huntington Park 5) Applicant: #19 - Arianna Romero
Amount: $2,000
School: Mendez High School Resident City: East Los Angeles 6) Applicant: #20 - Julie Quintero
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Amount: $5,000 School: Garfield High School
Resident City: East Los Angeles
7) Applicant: #21 - Hector Ruiz Amount: $2,000 School: Math, Science, Tech Magnet (MSTM) at Roosevelt High School Resident City: Boyle Heights
Administrative Analyst Figueroa reported on the proposed scholarship grants. A discussion ensued between Committee Members and staff regarding the number of applications submitted, the outreach used to advertise the scholarship grant program,
applicant’s evaluation forms utilized in the scoring of applications.
Committee Member Gavina and Ms. Jemmott commended Ms. Figueroa and staff for a good job in handling and processing of the scholarship applications.
No public comment was provided.
MOTION Member Gavina moved and Vice Chair Goff seconded a motion to: A. Find that the award of the grants is exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act; and B. Award
Fiscal Year 2018/2019 scholarship grants totaling $20,000 to Yani Martinez, $2,000;
Nayeli Jimenez Alvarado, $5,000; Kimberly Robles, $2,000; Valeria Valencia, $2,000; Arianna Romero, $2,000; Julie Quintero, $5,000; and Hector Ruiz, $2,000. The motion carried 5-0, Members Froberg and Chang absent. ORAL REPORTS James Hull, Jemmott-Rollins Group, provided an overview of the geographical service areas of the award grantees, and the grant awarded amounts to date.
CONSENSUS By consensus, the Committee directed staff to present future grantees in alphabetical order, the total amount awarded to each grantee (to-date and on which docket); a map showing the geographical area that was receiving services and benefits from the grant award
recipients; and information and a map overlay on the number of capital improvement grant
awards and general grant awards. CONSENSUS Committee Members also came to a consensus to direct staff to review and bring forth for
discussion at the next meeting, the scholarship grant award application – specifically, the
language regarding applicants being related to employees of the City.
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ADJOURNMENT With no further business, Chair Lopez adjourned the meeting at 11:40 a.m.
________________________ LETICIA LOPEZ, Chair
ATTEST:
________________________ LISA POPE, City Clerk