TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Ingrid Hardy, Assistant City Manager
DATE:April 9, 2024
SUBJECT: FY 2023-24 Community Environmental Enhancement Grant Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve Community Environmental Enhancement Grant (CEEG) for Conejo Unified School District (CVUSD) on Behalf of Horizon Hills Parent Support Group Booster Club totaling $4,500.
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the CEEG agreement with the Grantee.
3. Authorize expenditure in the amount of $4,500 in FY 2023-24 from A/C #632- 8420-682-5920 (NC0104, Community Enhancement Fund/Grants) for CEEG.
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 2023-24 General Fund Budget and $45,000 for Grant funding is included in the Adopted FY 2023-24 Solid Waste Fund.
BACKGROUND:
The CEEG provides financial support for community beautification and environmental projects. During the City’s budget process, City Council renewed its support for the program by appropriating $45,000 in FY 2023-24 to be used for CEEG. The CEEG provides grantees a maximum grant award of $4,500 and a minimum grant award of $2,000. CEEG grant applications for FY 2023-24 were accepted from November 13, 2023, through December 14, 2023.
On February 13, 2024, City Council approved $35,200 for eight programs through
FY 2023-24 CEEG Grant Recommendation
April 9, 2024
9 6
0 the annual CEEG grant funding cycle. Soon after, staff became aware that one organization submitted their application within the eligible timeframe and was mistakenly overlooked for evaluation for CEEG funding. With an approved annual budget of $45,000, there is a balance of $9,800 in funding for eligible FY 2023-24 CEEG grant requests.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
Staff conducted an initial review of the CEEG application to confirm it met the minimum qualifications. The City Council-appointed Community Funding Review Committee (CFRC) separately reviewed the application and scored it based on the grant-specific criteria, including the organization’s mission and background, program goals and objectives, and benefit to City residents.
In May 2019, the CFRC approved an allocation method based on collated points scored on the application as shown in Table 1.
Table 1
On March 27, 2024, the CFRC met to discuss the collated scores of the application.
Collating the nine committee members’ scorecards and using the approved allocation method in Table 1 revealed that the application scored over 85 points and is recommended for 100 percent of the funding requested.
The CFRC unanimously (7-0 with two members absent) recommends CEEG grant funding in the amount of $4,500 for a Teaching Garden program at CVUSD on behalf of Horizon Hills Parent Support Group Booster Club.
Next Steps
Upon approval by City Council, the grantee will enter into a standard grant agreement with the City for one year, effective April 9, 2024. The agreement specifies that City staff reserve the right to request reimbursement of all or part of the funds if the funds are not provided for the program as described in the contract.
The grantee will receive payment upfront and will be required to submit a Final Performance Report that demonstrates how the City funds were used to benefit the community.
85 – 100 points scored on application 100% of requested amount 70 – 84 points scored on application 75% of requested amount 55 – 69 points scored on application 50% of requested amount 54 or below points scored on application No funding
FY 2023-24 CEEG Grant Recommendation
April 9, 2024
9 6
0 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: Sarah Mailes, Community Services Analyst
CMO: 480-10\wl\H:\COMMON\City Council\Council Items\2024 Staff Reports\040924\CEEG CVUSD for Horizon Hills