DATE:
August 6, 2024
TO:
Mayor and Council Members
FROM:
Rachel Molina, City Manager
BY:
Nathan R. Freeman, Director of Development Services
April Antonio, Administrative Analyst
SUBJECT:
Community Assistance Program Guidelines and Processes
RECOMMENDED ACTION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2024-37, which will memorialize the Community Assistance Program guidelines and processes.
BACKGROUND
Since Fiscal Year (FY) 2017-18, the Economic Development Division has facilitated the Community Assistance Program (CAP), which is a grant program funded each fiscal year in the amount of $50,000 through the City’s General Fund for local non-profit organizations.
The CAP program has historically provided grants, typically $5,000 per grantee, to local community organizations throughout the Mojave River Valley. Since the program’s inception, successful grantees have provided Hesperia residents with a wide range of community-related services.
ISSUES/ANALYSIS
Based on recent feedback received from the City Council, and to streamline and improve the process, staff recommends the City Council adopt a resolution memorializing the following CAP guidelines:
Priority CAP Activities: Priority will be given to grantees who provide the following (in no particular order): food and clothing services/assistance; unhoused shelter services/assistance; youth/foster care services/assistance; disability services/assistance; senior services/assistance; veteran services/assistance; and animal spay and neuter services/assistance.
Financial Priorities: Priority shall be further given based on the documented financial need of each potential grantee.
Funding Amounts: Each successful grantee shall be funded in an amount not to exceed $5,000.
Schedule of Events: the CAP schedule of events shall be:
In mid-January of each fiscal year, a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) will be published (in English and Spanish) in the Daily Press, on the City’s website and social media.
Applications will be made available on the same day the NOFA is published and will be accessible on the City’s website and social media with hardcopies available at City Hall.
Hard copy applications will be due within one month of the NOFA.
City Council Advisory Committee: Once applications are received, the City Council Advisory Committee (CCAC) will conduct a public meeting to receive input and public testimony on the needs and priorities of the community. The CCAC will then review and rank all applications based on the above-noted CAP priority activities, the financial needs of each applicant, and community feedback received. Once all applications have been ranked, the CCAC will forward its rankings/funding slate to the City Council for final approval.
City Council Approval: In acknowledgement of the CCAC’s considerable efforts to carefully review all applications, consider public testimony from potential grantees, and rank applications based on the above-noted priorities, staff recommends that the City Council approve the ranking/funding slate from the CCAC.
CITY GOAL SUPPORTED BY THE ITEM
Future Development: Facilitate balanced growth to ensure cohesive community development and pursue economic development.
FISCAL IMPACT
The CAP grant, in the amount of $50,000, is included in the (FY) 2024-25 Adopted Budget and is anticipated, with City Council approval, to be included in subsequent Fiscal Years.
ALTERNATIVE(S)
Provide alternative direction to staff.
ATTACHMENT(S)
CAP Guidelines
Resolution No. 2024-37
Page PAGE 2 of NUMPAGES 2
Staff Report to the Mayor and Council Members
City of Hesperia Community Assistance Program (CAP)
August 6, 2024
City of Hesperia
STAFF REPORT