EAST PALO ALTO
CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
DATE: December 6, 2022
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
VIA: Patrick Heisinger, Interim City Manager
BY: Jeff Liu, Interim Chief of Police
SUBJECT: Consideration of a Donation from H & H Evergreen Foundation for the Police Department Traffic Safety Awareness Program, Annual Toy Distribution Program, and Department Needs
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to:
Accept a donation of funds in the amount of One Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000) from the H & H Evergreen Foundation, and execute a Donation Agreement to support the Police Department’s Traffic Safety Awareness Program ($30,000.00), Annual Toy Distribution Program ($20,000.00), and general department needs ($100,000) in accordance with the City’s Donation Acceptance Policy; and
Express the City Council’s appreciation for the donation to the H & H Evergreen Foundation.
Alignment with City Council Strategic Plan
This recommendation is primarily aligned with:
Priority No. 1: Enhance Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Priority No. 2: Enhance Economic Vitality
Priority No. 3: Increase Organizational Effectiveness and Efficiency Priority No. 6: Create a Healthy and Safe Community
Background
Since November 2014, the police department has received positive attention for engaging in a robust community policing program that included engaging the community, initiating new community policing programs, and substantially increasing the amount of involvement with the community. After initiating this model of community policing, the community assisted in several high-profile criminal cases that lead to arrests and reduced crime. The media coverage has drawn a significant amount of attention from people in the region helping in many ways including financial contributions.
Analysis
This private donation made by the H & H Evergreen Foundation was made with the expressed desire from the donor to help facilitate a safer holiday season and to help families in need during the holiday season. The H & H Evergreen Foundation is donating $30,000.00 to assist in funding a traffic safety awareness program during this November and December holiday season and an additional $20,000.00 to families living in East Palo Alto. Additionally, the foundation is donating $100,000 to support East Palo Alto Police Department needs. The total amount of the donation is $150,000.00.
The department will acquire specific gift cards that will be given to community members that are involved in minor traffic violations and/or those demonstrating safe driving habits in the amount of $30,000.00. Additionally, the department will use the additional $20,000.00 to support the annual toy distribution program.
Fiscal Impact
There will be no fiscal impact on the department budget because the funds for the traffic safety program and the purchase of toys for families in need will be purchased by expending funds from the donation. Using the funds in this manner will follow the wishes of the donor and provide the department with the necessary funding for the programs.
Public Notice
The public was provided notice of this agenda item by positing the City Council agenda on the City’s official bulletin outside City Hall and making the agenda and report available at the City’s website and at the San Mateo County Library at 2415 University Avenue.
Environmental
The action being considered by the City Council is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a “project” pursuant to 15378(b)(4) because it is a fiscal activity which does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant impact on the environment.
Attachments
A. Attachment - H&H Reso 2022