CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
April 6, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Anita D. Scott, City Manager
Submitted By: Meg McWade, Public Works Director
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF THE RECOMMENDATION BY THE BOARD OF PARKING PLACE COMMISSIONERS FOR CITY COUNCIL TO ADOPT THE REVISED VEHICLE PARKING DISTRICT CONTRIBUTION POLICY FOR CLARIFICATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE CONSISTENCY RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the City Council consider adoption of the Board of Parking Place Commissioners (Vehicle Parking District) Recommended Revisions to the Vehicle Parking District Contribution Policy for clarification and administrative consistency.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
At its March 12, 2026, meeting, the Board of Parking Place Commissioners voted to recommend that the City Council adopt revisions to the Vehicle Parking District (VPD) Contribution Policy. The proposed revisions clarify existing procedures and standards for reviewing requests for financial contributions from nonprofit organizations and community groups to improve consistency, transparency, and fiscal accountability. Adoption of the revised policy will formalize current practices and provide clearer guidance to applicants, Commissioners, and Staff.
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.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with revising the VPD Contribution Policy.
Future fiscal impact would occur only if the VPD Commission approves contribution requests, and only to the extent that funds are available within a City Council approved VPD contribution budget allocation. All contributions remain subject to annual budget approval and available appropriations.
DISCUSSION:
Occasionally, the Board of Parking Place Commissioners (VPD Commission) receives requests from nonprofit organizations and community groups seeking financial support for events or programs. While prior policy language allowed for such contributions, certain provisions lacked specificity, particularly regarding contribution limits and timing. The proposed revisions address these issues by:
Clarifying that the previously approved $1,000 contribution limit applies per fiscal year, and per nonprofit organization; Requiring requests be submitted in writing at least fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the VPD Commission meeting at which the request is to be considered (generally the second Thursday of each month), with late submissions scheduled for a subsequent meeting, only if the event occurs after Commission consideration; Clarifying that retroactive funding is prohibited and that requests are ineligible if the event or program occurs prior to Commission consideration; Reaffirming that approval is conditioned upon City Council approval of a designated VPD contribution budget line item and availability of funds within that allocation; and Affirming that approval of a contribution in one fiscal year does not create an expectation or obligation for future funding.
These revisions are intended to strengthen fiscal oversight, ensure consistent application of standards, and clearly communicate expectations to requesting organizations.
At its March 12, 2026, meeting, the VPD Commission reviewed the proposed revisions and unanimously voted to recommend that the City Council adopt the updated VPD Contribution Policy. Adoption of the revised Policy will provide clearer administrative guidance while preserving the VPD Commission’s discretion to approve limited contributions that provide a demonstrable benefit to VPD operations and the downtown parking system.
Prepared by:
Lindsay McElwain, Senior Management Analyst
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment No. 1 – Draft - VPD Contribution Policy Revision (Clean Version) Attachment No. 2 – Draft - VPD Contribution Policy Revision (with Track Changes) Attachment No. 3 – Existing VPD Contribution Policy
Consideration to Revise the VPD Contribution Policy