TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Jonathan Serret, Cultural and Community Services Director DATE:June 24, 2025
SUBJECT: Grant Agreement for Annual Contribution to Conejo Senior Volunteer Program
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve Grant Agreement with Conejo Recreation and Park District (CRPD) on behalf of Conejo Senior Volunteer Program (CSVP) for a term from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030, for a $10,000 annual grant to fund CSVP in a not-to-exceed amount of $50,000.
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute Grant Agreement with CRPD on behalf of CSVP.
3. Authorize expenditure in the amount of $10,000 for FY 2025-26 and $10,000 for FY 2026-27 from A/C #001-0920-677-5920 (General Fund - Grants and Donations).
4. Find that this action is not a project as defined in the California Environmental Quality Act.
LEVINE ACT ITEM: No
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. Funding for the annual grant contribution to CSVP of $10,000 is included in the Adopted FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27 General Fund Budget. Budget for the remainder of the agreement will be requested during future biennial budget processes.
BACKGROUND:
CSVP, a program overseen by CRPD and located at the Goebel Adult Community Center, has been serving the City of Thousand Oaks and the Conejo Valley since 1972. Originally known as the Retired Senior and Volunteer Program, CSVP annually places over 800 volunteers at more than 70 partner agencies in the
Grant Agreement for Annual Contribution to Conejo Senior Volunteer Program June 24, 2025
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community such as the Civic Arts Plaza, Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park Libraries, and Volunteers in Policing. Volunteers are primarily over the age of 55 and use their time, life experience, and skills to provide over 100,000 volunteer hours annually. CSVP does volunteer matchmaking between interested individuals and agencies, as well as providing the excess insurance coverage.
CSVP has been instrumental in establishing and maintaining some of the longest running free and low-cost programs in the community. This includes:
•Providing the Free Income Tax Program. In 2024, 47 volunteers completed over 2,500 free income tax returns, returning over $1 million into the community. Over 78 percent of the tax returns completed by this program benefited adults over 60 years of age.
•Managing the Senior Nutrition Lunch Program (SNP) at the Goebel Adult Community Center. In 2024, 25 volunteers collectively donated 3,000 hours to serve 18,330 lunches to older adults. This is a grant-supported program in conjunction with the Ventura County Human Services Agency’s Area Agency on Aging. There is a suggested donation of $4 for lunch, but no one is turned away for lack of funds.
•Organizing the Annual Wellness Festival. Health and wellness information was provided by over 60 local agencies and health care providers to more than 600 attendees. In 2024, CSVP provided free vendor space at the Wellness Festival for the Council on Aging, as well as the City Manager’s Office, Transit, Sustainability, Emergency Management, and the Library, enabling staff to connect directly with residents.
•Hosting the Annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. Board members from CRPD, along with Councilmembers from the City of Thousand Oaks, join to acknowledge the invaluable contribution our volunteers are making in our community.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
CSVP is a vital program in the community, connecting older adults to meaningful volunteer opportunities that not only help maintain greater levels of health and well- being for the individuals serving, but provide local agencies with a much-needed volunteer workforce. The City has supported CSVP with an annual $10,000 grant contribution since 2014. The current five-year grant agreement ends on June 30, 2025.
Grant Agreement for Annual Contribution to Conejo Senior Volunteer Program June 24, 2025
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The current FY 2024-25 General Fund Operating Budget includes $10,000 in grant funds to CSVP, and $211,362 to support the Goebel Adult Community Center (GACC) for facility operations, maintenance, and repair. The City also funds all capital improvements as it owns the building. No other City funding is provided for GACC or CSVP operational costs.
Staff recommend City Council approval of a new five-year grant agreement to CRPD on behalf of CSVP with an annual $10,000 grant contribution. Upon City Council approval, CRPD will enter into a grant agreement on behalf of CSVP, effective July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2030 (Attachment #1). CSVP will continue to provide an annual report to City Council as part of the annual report given by CRPD.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
A. Create a more equitable, accessible, safe, welcoming, and inclusive government and community regardless of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, physical or mental ability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, language, education, and/or socio-economic status.
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: Melissa Hurtado, Deputy Community Services Director Attachments:
Attachment #1 – Grant Agreement with Conejo Recreation and Park District on behalf of Conejo Senior Volunteer Program
CCS:595-70\sm\H:\common\community services\city council items\2025 staff reports\06242025 annual $10,000 grant to conejo senior volunteer program.docx