TO:City Council
FROM:Community Funding Review Committee
DATE:February 14, 2023
SUBJECT: FY 2022-23 Community Environmental Enhancement Grant Recommendations
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve FY 2022-23 Community Environmental Enhancement Grants totaling $45,000.
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute Community Environmental Enhancement Grant agreements with grantees.
3. Authorize expenditure in the amount of $45,000 from A/C #632-8420-682-5920 (NC0104, Community Enhancement Fund/Grants) for Community Environmental Enhancement Grants.
4. Find that this action is not a project as defined under the California Environmental Quality Act.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. Minimal administrative staff costs associated with executing contracts and compliance monitoring are included in the Adopted FY 2022-23 General Fund Budget. The $45,000 for Grants funding is included in the Adopted FY 2022-23 Solid Waste Fund.
BACKGROUND:
The Community Environmental Enhancement Grant (CEEG) provides financial support for community beautification and environmental projects. During the City’s FY 2022-23 budget process, City Council renewed its support to the program by appropriating $45,000 of Solid Waste Funds to be used for CEEG. The CEEG provides grantees a maximum grant award of $4,500 and a minimum grant award of $2,000.
FY 2022-23 CEEG Recommendations
February 14, 2023
5 1
2 Since 1998, the City has funded projects such as tree planting, litter collection, recycling projects, composting, waste reduction program, water/energy conservation, food diversion (composting, donation, or recovery), and public outreach and education.
CEEG grant applications for FY 2022-23 were accepted from November 14, 2022, through December 15, 2022. Public outreach for the grant program took place in November and December and included news postings on the City’s website, social media channels, the November and December issues of the CityScene newsletter, as well as the Sustainability Blog. The Acorn published an article about the grant opportunity on November 25, 2022. A Community Grant Program workshop was held on September 8, 2022, which was recorded and made available for viewing on the City’s website. In addition, emails were sent to previous environmental enhancement grant recipients and a press release was sent to local media outlets.
Complete program information can be found on the dedicated City Manager’s Office Grant Opportunities webpage (www.toaks.org/grants) on the City’s website.
A history of the CEEG awards for the past five years is attached for City Council reference (Attachment #1).
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
There were 14 CEEG applications received this year. Staff conducted an initial review to confirm the applications met the minimum qualifications. Two applications were rejected for non-compliance with program requirements. The 12 CEEG applications that met minimum qualifications requested a total grant amount of $47,500.
The Community Funding Review Committee (CFRC) members separately reviewed each application and scored them based on several grant-specific criteria, including the organization’s mission and background, program goals and objectives, and benefit to City residents.
On January 18, 2023, the CFRC met to discuss the collated scores of the applications. The CFRC unanimously recommended funding in the amount of $45,000 to 11 programs (Attachment #2).
Allocation Scoring Method
In May 2019, the CFRC approved an allocation method based on collated points scored on the application as shown in Table 1.
FY 2022-23 CEEG Recommendations
February 14, 2023
5 1
2 Collating the nine committee members’ scorecards and using the original allocation method revealed that 11 applicants were eligible for full funding and one applicant for 75 percent funding, for a total of $47,000. With a budget of $45,000, the CFRC recommends awarding full grant funding to the top applicants until available funds are exhausted, resulting in 10 applicants receiving full funding, one applicant receiving partial funding, and the lowest-scoring applicant unfunded.
The CFRC unanimously recommends awarding grants in the amount of $45,000 to 11 programs (Attachment #2).
Next Steps
Upon approval by City Council, CEEG grantees will enter into agreements with the City for a one-year period, effective March 1, 2023. Grantees will receive payment upfront and will be required to submit a Final Performance Report.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
C. Operate City government in a fiscally and managerially responsible and prudent manner to ensure that the City of Thousand Oaks remains one of California's most desirable places to live, work, visit, recreate, and raise a family.
G. Continue City's commitment to community and cultural programs and services (such as Performing Arts/Theatres, Libraries, TOTV, Visual Arts, Youth and Senior Programs).
PREPARED BY: Clyde Doheney, Community Funding Review Committee Chair Sarah Mailes, Community Services Analyst
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – Community Environmental Enhancement Grant Award Five-Year History
Attachment #2 – FY 2022-23 Community Environmental Enhancement Grant Award Recommendations
CMO: 483-10\wl\H:\COMMON\City Council\Council Items\2023 Staff Reports\021423\021423 CFRC CEEG Staff Report Table 1: CFRC Original Allocation Method
85 – 100 points scored 100% of requested amount
70 – 84 points scored 75% of requested amount
55 – 69 points scored 50% of requested amount
54 or below points scored No funding