CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
May 19, 2025
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Anita D. Scott, City Manager
Submitted By: Maura Montellano/Beatrice Marrufo, Executive Assistant SUBJECT: FINDING OF PUBLIC BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE: RECOMMENDED EXPENDITURE(S) AND RECAP OF EXPENDED FUNDS RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
Approve the expenditure(s) recommended and make the finding that the community at large will receive a public benefit from the expenditure of funds for the recommended item(s); and Receive and file the recap of final amounts for previously approved projects/activities.
FISCAL IMPACT: All approved expenditures are paid from the requesting Councilmembers’ line item accounts as approved in the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Budget.
CURRENT REQUEST(S):
Amount to be determined to Tradición Dance Company in support of 15 Años de Tradición: Requested Amount: $3,000 Amount to be determined to Kennedy Austin Foundation in support of 2nd Housing Assistance Event: Requested Amount: $500 SB1439/GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLICABILITY:
☐ When this box is checked, it indicates the agenda item is subject to the Levine Act SB1439 requirements. Councilmembers are reminded to check their campaign contributions and determine whether they have received a campaign contribution of $500 or more that would require disclosure and/or recusal from discussing or acting on this agenda item. Campaign contributions of $500 or more made 1) by any person or entity who is identified in the agenda report as the applicant or proposer or 2) on behalf of the applicant or participant, including a parent, subsidiary or otherwise related business entity, or 3) by any person who has a financial interest in the agenda item requires a councilmember to comply with SB1439.
PREVIOUS RELATED ACTION: At the regular City Council meeting of February 6, 2006, the Council approved an Expense and Reimbursement Policy in compliance with the requirements of Assembly Bill 1234. At the regular City Council meeting of November 16, 2015, the Council adopted Finding of Public Benefit “Best Practices” Guidelines and the Finding of Public Benefit Request Form.
DISCUSSION: The Mayor and/or individual Councilmembers, as listed below, have requested that the Council approve funding for each organization, activity, and/or event as specified below and request that the Council approve the funding amount and make the findings that these expenditures will provide a public benefit to the community at large. Supporting forms for the newly-requested findings are attached with this Report (Attachment).
Current Request(s):
Organization: Tradición Dance Company
Project/Activity: 15 Años de Tradición
Finding Recommended: Funding will aid in covering the expenses of costumes, accessories and props, key to showcasing authentic Mexican folklorico. This free community event promotes cultural education, youth engagement, and access to traditional dance as a powerful form of storytelling.
Councilmember Recommending Funding: Councilmember Lorraine Canales Organization Requested Funding Amount: $3,000
Councilmember Requested Funding Amount: TBD
Organization: Kennedy Austin Foundation
Project/Activity: 2nd Housing Assistance Event
Finding Recommended: A housing event for single mother and low-income families in the City for first time home buyers. We aim to empower our community with the knowledge and information on how to purchase a home. Funding will go toward food and refreshments, and the real estate expert conducting the meeting.
Councilmember Recommending Funding: Councilmember Lorraine Canales Organization Requested Funding Amount: $500
Councilmember Requested Funding Amount: TBD
Findings Eligible for Contributions
The following summarizes Council contributions towards findings within the 30-day period following Council approval in accordance with the Council adopted policy. These items are eligible for additional contributions:
Organization: Latino and Latina Roundtable
Project/Activity: Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez Pilgrimage Finding Date: 4/21/25
Finding Recommended: The donation will contribute towards this educational and historical community event that has the purpose to bring together our community. Several organizations come together to plan this event every year with the purpose of building bridges in our community and promoting human rights and immigrant rights in our communities. There is music, presentations, scholarships, and speakers.
Deadline for Contributions: 5/21/25
Councilmember Recommending Funding: Councilmember Nora Garcia Organization Requested Funding Amount: $3,500
Councilmember Requested Funding Amount: D2 - $500, D3 - $250, D5 - $200 Total Funding Amount: $950
Organization: Historical Society of Pomona Valley
Project/Activity: District 4 Area Commander Meeting
Finding Date: 4/21/25
Finding Recommended: Public meetings with the police assist good communications between the residents and the police and provide a sounding board to air possible frustrations that the police can help alleviate. We are requesting funds for clean-up and set up of the Ebell Ballroom.
Deadline for Contributions: 5/21/25
Councilmember Recommending Funding: Councilmember Debra Martin Organization Requested Funding Amount: $500
Councilmember Requested Funding Amount: D1 - $100, D3 - $100, D4 - $300 Total Funding Amount: $500
Organization: NAACP Pomona Valley Branch
Project/Activity: 6th Annual Freedom Fund
Finding Date: 5/5/25
Finding Recommended: Donations funds will be used to offset branch treasure budget expenses such as advertising, promoting, purchase trophies and our souvenir booklet, and supplement the Keynote Speaker fee.
Deadline for Contributions: 6/5/25
Councilmember Recommending Funding: Councilmember Nora Garcia Organization Requested Funding Amount: $2,000
Councilmember Requested Funding Amount: D1 - $100, D5 - $150 Total Funding Amount: $250
Organization: Project Resilience
Project/Activity: Fentanyl Awareness & Community Resource Fair Finding Date: 5/5/25
Finding Recommended: Funding for this will go toward paying the venue fee, refreshments, marketing and gift card incentives. This event will strengthen the safety, health and unity of Pomona by bringing families together and providing essential tools like Narcan and vital education on Fentanyl risks.
Deadline for Contributions: 6/5/25
Councilmember Recommending Funding: Councilmember Nora Garcia Organization Requested Funding Amount: $1,500
Councilmember Requested Funding Amount: D5 - $100
Total Funding Amount: $100
Organization: Costanoan Rumsen Carmel Tribe
Project/Activity: 31st Annual Big Time
Finding Date: 5/5/25
Finding Recommended: Funding for this request will go toward paying for restrooms, water and trash at the event. The Costanoan Rumsen Carmel Tribe provides the community with an understanding and sharing of Indigenous culture through dance, song, and prayer and inclusion of community.
Deadline for Contributions: 6/5/25
Councilmember Recommending Funding: Councilmember Nora Garcia Organization Requested Funding Amount: $3,000
Councilmember Requested Funding Amount: D5 - $150
Total Funding Amount: $150
Organization: Pomona Public Library Foundation
Project/Activity: 2025 Mayor's Gala
Finding Date: 5/5/25
Finding Recommended: The donation will be used to support the Homework Club, our after school drop-in tutoring program at the Pomona Public Library, and summer cultural excursions around greater Los Angeles for hundreds of children. This helps maintain learning during the summer when school is not in session. Funding will also be used to continue to upgrade landscaping, furnishings, technology upgrades, and the inside of the Library for community use.
Deadline for Contributions: 6/5/25
Councilmember Recommending Funding: Councilmember Nora Garcia Organization Requested Funding Amount: $5,000
Councilmember Requested Funding Amount: D1 - $300
Total Funding Amount: $300
Organization: Nuestra Casa: Museum of History and Culture Project/Activity: Nuestra Casa Museum
Finding Date: 5/5/25
Finding Recommended: The funding will allow for the purchase of office equipment, a telephone line and some fundraising expenses. The museum will cater to a broad audience from school age children to seniors, fostering a deep understanding of the contributions made by Latinos in the region throughout history. It will serve Pomona residents and students, as well as other neighboring communities.
Deadline for Contributions: 6/5/25
Councilmember Recommending Funding: Councilmember Nora Garcia Organization Requested Funding Amount: $5,000
Councilmember Requested Funding Amount: TBD
Total Funding Amount: TBD
Organization: Kennedy Austin Foundation
Project/Activity: Mental Health Bingo
Finding Date: 5/5/25
Finding Recommended: Donations will toward funding various programs for parents who have lost children, including events and programming that enable families to come together and heal.
Deadline for Contributions: 6/5/25
Councilmember Recommending Funding: Councilmember Debra Martin Organization Requested Funding Amount: $1,500
Councilmember Requested Funding Amount: D1 - $200, D2 - $100, D5 - $100 Total Funding Amount: $400
Recap of Expended Funds
The following summarizes additional Council contributions toward findings that expired and are past the 30-day period following Council approval, in accordance with the Council adopted policy:
N/A
Prepared by:
_____________________________
Maura Montellano/Beatrice Marrufo
Executive Assistant
ATTACHMENT:
Tradición Dance Company
Kennedy Austin Foundation
Finding of Public Benefit