Community Development Department
DATE: February 23, 2023
TO: Council Neighborhoods Committee
FROM: Anna Reynoso, Housing Specialist II
Wayne Chen, Assistant Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Council Neighborhoods Committee Work Plan for the 2023 Calendar Year
RECOMMENDATION
That the Council Neighborhoods Committee:
1. Adopt a work plan consisting of Council Neighborhoods Committee Regular Meetings, three neighborhood meetings, and the Neighborhood Grant Program; and
2. Confirm the meeting schedule for the 2023 calendar year.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this meeting is for the Council Neighborhoods Committee (CNC) to adopt a work plan and set a schedule for the year’s activities. The primary work of the CNC this year is to hold three neighborhood meetings and to implement the Neighborhood Grant Program. This first meeting of the calendar year allows the CNC to discuss the various components of the work plan and make any desired changes.
DISCUSSION
Regular Meetings of the CNC
The CNC typically holds three Regular Meetings each calendar year. In addition to this first Regular Meeting, two additional Regular Meetings will be hel d, the first to review and approve requests for Neighborhood Grants funding for Fiscal Year 2023 -24, and the second to conclude the calendar year and to review the year’s work.
All CNC Regular Meetings will be hosted in person only. There will be no virtual meeting option provided, as is consistent with all Council committee meetings.
Council Neighborhoods Committee Work Plan for the 2023 Calendar Year February 23, 2023
CNC Neighborhood Meetings
Three neighborhood meetings are generally held each year and are rotated among six neighborhood areas, as shown on the attached map (Attachment 1). Each neighborhood area has a meeting every two years. Additionally, neighborhood meeting s for mobile home park residents are held every other year, resulting in four total neighborhood meetings that year. Staff from seven City departments participate and respond to questions at the neighborhood meetings. Questions that cannot be fully answered at the meeting will be answered in a written follow-up report sent to everyone attending the meetin g. Staff from the City Manager ’s Office will prepare an update on major projects and improvements in the neighborhood as part of the packet of meeting materials available to participants and on the City’s website. Neighborhood meetings are typically sche duled for Thursday nights from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., can be held any week of the month, and are generally spaced at least one month apart so there is adequate time for meeting preparation and notification. Staff conducts a review of the Council calendar, religious holidays, and other community events to avoid scheduling conflict s and to maximize attendance at the neighborhood meetings.
Neighborhood Grant Program
The Neighborhood Grant Program has been successful in supporting existing neighborh ood groups and encouraging new ones to form. Neighborhood grants have helped form over a dozen new neighborhood associations in Mountain View since the program began in 1999. Last year, 17 neighborhood grants were awarded by the CNC for a total of $27,200. The application period typically opens at the beginning of March and closes at the end of March to provide sufficient time for neighborhood groups to apply.
For this upcoming cycle, staff has increased access to this opportunity by working with the Multi- Cultural Engagement Program to offer the grant guidelines and grant application in both Spanish and Mandarin.
Staff will ensure the public is aware of this grant opportunity by advertising in local media, email blasts, and hosting two informational ca lls about the grant. One will be on March 9, 2023 , and the other will be on March 22, 2023. During these calls, interpretation in Spanish and Mandarin will be provided.
Networking Event
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, an annual networking event was held for neighborhood groups and leaders to meet and share information. During the pandemic, the networking event was paused. This year, staff proposes to restart the networking event , which gives opportunities for neighborhood leaders to share their experiences with each other. Staff will work to ensure this Council Neighborhoods Committee Work Plan for the 2023 Calendar Year February 23, 2023
event coincides with the CNC meeting scheduled for April, where the CNC will vote on the grants submitted.
PROPOSED 2023 CALENDAR
The following is the proposed calendar and schedule of meetings to implement the CNC work plan:
• Neighborhood Grant application period: March 2, 2022 to March 31, 2023.
• Regular Meeting and Networking Event: Wednesday, April 12, 2023.
• Moffett/Whisman Road Neighborhood Meeting: Thursday, May 18, 2023.
• Central Neighborhood Meeting: Thursday, June 1, 2023.
• Springer/Cuesta/Phyllis Neighborhood Meeting: Thursday, October 5, 2023.
• Regular Meeting: Thursday, December 7, 2023.
AR/6/CDD
844-02-23-23M
Attachment: 1. Neighborhood Area Map