November 28, 2023
Library and Community Services
DATE: November 28, 2023
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
LaShonda White, Deputy City Manager, Community
Services
Ranjana Maharaj, Deputy Director for Community
Services-Recreation
Jene Levine-Snipes, Development Project Manager
Stephanie Ny, Associate Administrative Analyst
Subject:
California Department of Parks and Recreation Outdoor
Equity Grant Program Cycle 2 Grant Application
Submission
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no General Fund financial impact
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
Not applicable
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The City’s Recreation Division has an opportunity to
apply for a grant from the California Department of Parks and Recreation Outdoor Equity Grant Program Cycle 2
that could yield up to $700,000 to provide outdoor
programming to Richmond youth. Prior to applying for
this grant, the City’s Grant Management Policy requires City Council approval to submit an application where the City envisions working in partnership with others to fulfill the grant’s mission.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
APPROVE a resolution authorizing the Recreation
Division to submit a grant application for the California Department of Parks and Recreation Outdoor Equity
Grant Program Cycle 2 Grant and approving its
proposed, potential partnership list in said grant -
Community Services Department, Recreation (LaShonda
White 510-620-6828/Jene Levine-Snipes 510-307-8132).
AGENDA
REPORT
November 28, 2023
DISCUSSION:
The City of Richmond’s Recreation division is in the process of consideration of, and preparation for, a grant application (“Application”) for the California Department of Parks and Recreation Outdoor Equity Grant Cycle 2 Program (“Grant Program”). The Grant Program provides up to $700,000 for program operations to increase the ability of residents in underserved communities to participate in outdoor experiences within their community, at state parks and other public lands. The grant application deadline is December 14, 2023.
As is well understood, community partnerships are essential to building social infrastructure. City staff wishes to engage the following entities for partnership in its application and seeks the City Council’s approval of the following organizations and groups:
1. The Watershed Project
2. Trips for Kids
3. STEMsail
4. Richmond Yacht Club
5. Gateway Mountain Center
6. Richmond Outdoors Coalition
7. KIDS for the BAY
The proposed potential partner list was created based on each organization’s known contributions to programming.
The City’s Finance Department has created a Grant Management Policy (“Policy”) that, inter alia, promotes transparency for grant applications when the City envisions a public- private partnership evolving as part of any grant award. In those circumstances, Section 3(e) of the Policy requires City staff to first seek City Council approval prior to submitting a grant application. By implication, this includes pre-approval of the City’s proposed partnerships for grant applications.
At this stage in the process, the City’s included partner-entities for its final Application have not been formally determined. However, City staff has established a list of potential partners as shown above. With City Council approval, any of these partners may join forces with the City in its Application. If the City is fortunate enough to be awarded a Grant Program, the City would enter into a sole-source contract with any partners so joined.
The Community Services-Recreation Department is seeking City Council approval to file the grant application for the California Department of Parks and Recreation Outdoor Equity Grant Program Cycle 2 Grant, and to approve its proposed, potential partnership list in said grant.
November 28, 2023
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Resolution Authorizing the Community Services-Recreation Department to File a Grant Application with Its Proposed Partner List