Resolution No. 56-2023 1 of 2
RESOLUTION NO. _______– 2023
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF EAST PALO ALTO
APPOINT ONE-TIME INTERNAL REVIEW PANEL COMPRISED OF CITY STAFF TO RECOMMEND
AWARDS OF THE TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX (TOT) COMMUNITY FUNDS IN PLACE OF THE COMMUNITY GRANTS REVIEW PANEL; AND APROVE INTERNAL REVIEW PANEL’S PROPOSED FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2023 TOT GRANTS WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapter 3.68 of the Municipal Code, the uniform transient occupancy tax (TOT) ordinance, establishes the imposition of a 12 percent tax on hotel rents for transient stays; and
WHEREAS, in 2002, East Palo Alto voters modified the TOT ordinance requiring dedication of 10 percent of TOT revenue to affordable housing and 10 percent to children, youth and family services, including senior citizens (CYFS); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to to the Municipal Code Section 3.68.150, although TOT funding may be used for “any legitimate municipal purpose,” CYFS revenues can only be used to support services and support systems for children, youth, and their families and senior citizens to promote individual and community health, recreation, and cultural arts and exclusively fund grants or loans to nonprofit service providers headquartered in East Palo Alto or for which a majority of clients served are East Palo Alto residents; and
WHEREAS, on May 20, 2014, the City Council adopted a policy to use a TOT Grant Review Panel comprised of a City staff member, a representative from the Four Seasons Hotel, a small business representative, an East Palo Alto resident and subject matter expert(s); and WHEREAS, on January 6, 2023, the City of East Palo Alto published a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for TOT and Summer Park Activation proposals; and WHEREAS, on January 26, 2023, the City held mandatory Informational Session(s) virtually with 28 individuals;
WHEREAS, on February 24, 2023, all applications were submitted with supporting documentation to City of East Palo Alto staff; and
WHEREAS, on March 20, 2023, City of East Palo Alto staff reviewed 11 proposals; and’ WHEREAS, on May 16, 2023, the East Palo Alto City Council approved a Community Grants Review Panel comprised of the following persons:
TOT CGRP Organizations Category
Michelle Goudeaux Columbia Property Trust Large Business Debra Turner Above All Insurance Small Business
Marcia Perez Perez Immigration Law Resident
Sarahi Espinoza-Salamanca Sobrato Organization Expert
Q. Smith East Palo Alto Resident Resident
Resolution No. 56-2023 2 of 2
WHEREAS, on July 25, 2023, the TOT (Community) Grants Review Panel that the City Council appointed on May 16, 2023 has not been able to meet; given the impending August recess and to ensure no further delay in funding recommendations, staff recommends that the funding recommendations made by an Internal Review Panel be considered by the City Council comprised of the following city personnel for the Calendar Year 2023 funding cycle only:
• Jeff Liu (Chief of Police)
• Ana Torres-Mondragon (Human Resources Manager)
• James Colin (City Clerk)
• Maurice Baker (Acting Community Services Manager)
WHEREAS, to ensure no further delay, staff convened the Internal Review Panel in anticipation of the Council’s approval and to provide recommendations on TOT funding allocation; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EAST PALO ALTO HEREBY:
1. Finds the foregoing recitals are true and correct and incorporated by this reference into this action; and
2. For Calendar Year 2023 funding cycle only, appoints a one-time Internal Review Panel comprised of City Staff to recommend awards of the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) community funds in place of the Community Grants Review Panel:
• Jeff Liu (Chief of Police)
• Ana Torres-Mondragon (Human Resources Manager)
• James Colin (City Clerk)
• Maurice Baker (Acting Community Services Manager)
3. Approves the Internal Review Panel’s proposed funding recommendations for Calendar Year 2023 Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) grants, as follows:
Organization Name Requested Amount Recommended Funding
EPACenter for the Arts $16,000 $16,000
Fresh Approach $16,000 $15,000
Greyhoundz Athletic Club $16,000 $10,000
Hope Horizon $16,000 $15,000
Lewis & Joan Platt YMCA $16,000 $16,000
Live in Peace $16,000 $12,000
Mannakin Theater & Dance $16,000 $12,000
Onyxx Village Connection $16,000 $15,000
Retraining the Village $16,000 $15,000
St. Mark AME Zion Church $16,000 $14,000
Step It Up Dance $16,000 $10,000
Total $176,000 $150,000
Resolution No. 56-2023 3 of 2
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 25th day of July 2023, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Lisa Gauthier, Mayor
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
James Colin, City Clerk John D. Lê, City Attorney