City of Gonzales
CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: October 17, 2022
FROM: Patrick Dobbins, Acting City Manager
THROUGH: Carmen Gil, Interim City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 2022-71 Approving Community Action Grants
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council Adopt Resolution No. 2022-71, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Approving the Community Action Grants for FY 2022-2023 funded with Measure K monies.
BACKGROUND
In November 2014, Gonzales voters approved Measure K, enacting a one-half percent (0.5%) transactions and use tax (TUT). Included with the passage of the Measure K Transaction and Use Tax was the formation of an Oversight Committee to monitor and provide advisory recommendations to the City Council regarding the use of the tax revenues. Formation of the Oversight Committee was instrumental to the passage of Measure K and necessary to maintain public transparency for the use of these funds.
In June 2016 it was decided that a Small Grants Program to support a variety of civic-minded activities aimed to enhance the Love, Care, and Connect philosophy of the city and where community individuals could contribute to community connectedness and well-being through service and volunteerism would be beneficial and something that aligned with the city’s intended outcomes. Since then, the Community Grants Program has been a staple for community groups that need a micro-grant to get their idea and/or project underway.
REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
The Small Community Grant Program grows each year. This year the city received nine applications. A subcommittee of the Measure K Oversight Committee reviewed and scored the applications and put them forth as a recommendation to the full Committee for approval. Although all of projects put forth by the AGENDA
ITEM
11 community would have benefited residents, the subcommittee had to make some tough decisions based on the $30,000 in the program funding. The Measure K Oversight Committee’s recommendations for funding are as follows:
Recommended Small Grants
1. Adventure Seeking Seniors 1. $4,000
2. Christmas Smiles 2. $2,500
3. Grupos Unidos de Gonzales – Día del Niño Event 3. $3,000
4. Gonzales Arts & Music Program 4. $2,500
5. Gonzales Youth Guardians 5. $4,000
6. Grupo Cultural de Gonzales – Dia De Los Muertos/Day of the Dead 6. $3,000
7. Pueblo Unido de Tateposco 7. $3,000
8. Salvation Army – Utility Assistance 8. $3,000
9. Salvation Army – Community Food Supports 9. $5,000
Total = $30,000
Explain Recommendation and How it Supports the Vision
Gonzales will continue to be a safe, clean, family-friendly community, diverse in its heritage, and committed to working collaboratively to preserve and retain its small-town charm.
Explain: Measure K offers a significant source of funds for the City to undertake public projects that it might otherwise not be able to do. The Community Action Grants Program is one of those programs that serves to support the community’s quality of life while allowing residents to serve, take action and implement activities that serve to improve overall community well-being.
Explain how the Recommendation Directly Implements the Mission The City Council and Staff of the City of Gonzales will realize our Vision by providing the leadership, commitment, and resources necessary to provide excellent services that enhance the quality of life of our diverse community.
Explain: Please refer to the explanation above.
City services will be delivered in a cost-effective, respectful, and friendly manner to ensure the safety and well-being of the residents and the promotion of business, recreational, housing and employment opportunities in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Explain: Please refer to the explanation above.
Strong fiscal policies allow us to provide appropriate infrastructure for:
• Public Safety X Yes No N/A
• Housing Yes X No N/A
• Recreation X Yes No N/A
• Environment Yes X No N/A
• Education X Yes No N/A
Explain: The recommended list of Community Action Grant recipients was selected and vetted by the Measure K Committee. This ensures transparency and the adequate use of funding.
ALTERNATIVES
Alternatives to staff’s recommendation would be to not approve the list of recommended projects vetted through Measure K Oversight Committee and submitted for approval. However, that would impede the community groups from performing their projects and contributing to the community through the implementation of their ideas.
BUDGET IMPACT
The budget for the Small Grants Program is $30,000. From this amount allocations for each program/project were determined based on funding available and need. Each program’s reach and previous success if any was also taken into consideration.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council Adopt Resolution No. 2022-71, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Approving the Community Action Grants for FY 2022-2023 funded with Measure K monies.
Attachments:
10. Resolution No. 2022-71
11. Group list