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In response to Councilmember Balch, Assistant to the City Manager Hopkins advised it is up to the City <br /> Council to decide if this is the best way to strengthen Pleasanton's non-profits. Option 1 is a funding <br /> option for the current Fiscal Year. Option 3 allows for more study if so desired. She advised her <br /> impression is City Council requested creating a one-time funding opportunity so staff recommends <br /> Option 1 under this short-term premise but Option 3 would be a better option looking long-term. <br /> Interim City Manager Dolan advised the City Council could do both by approving a short-term option <br /> and then taking a more measured approach looking to the long-term. <br /> Mayor Brown opened the public hearing. <br /> John Sensiba, Three Valleys Community Foundation Board of Directors Chair, expressed his <br /> appreciation to the City Council for considering the new grant avenues to help non-profits. He promised <br /> to be collaborative and supportive of non-profits but never competitive against non-profits so they are <br /> likely excluded from the grant program as drafted. He expressed interest in partnering with the City <br /> outside of the grant process. He advised Three Valleys is ready to assist the City in other ways, <br /> suggesting vetting grant applications, sharing information on other grants, handling grant-making <br /> directly, or creating a fund to support things like the all-abilities playground or Amador Theatre <br /> renovation. He noted this fund would be tax-deductible for donors. He advised government regulations <br /> are complex and he will respect the City's position regardless of the funding decision and not let it <br /> influence its decisions regarding funding Pleasanton's non-profits. <br /> In response to Mayor Brown, Mr. Sensiba confirmed the funding Three Valleys received from the City of <br /> Dublin was organization-specific and did not go through a grant process. He confirmed they did not <br /> have to compete because the funding was earmarked for Three Valleys. He clarified they do not wish to <br /> compete because they exist to support the non-profit community and do not wish to diminish a non- <br /> profit's ability to get funding. <br /> Becky Dennis reported in her past work for non-profits things took away from her organizations' direct <br /> service work. She advised they would have to spend $10,000 on audits to be qualified to apply for <br /> some grants. She explained non-profit capacity can be built by allowing them to focus on their direct <br /> service work and not self-auditing. She reported Three Valleys can provide services like this. She <br /> advised having audit assistance would save Pleasanton's non-profits a lot of money and it's helpful to <br /> get this expertise to help them be fully functional. <br /> Mayor Brown closed the public hearing. <br /> Councilmember Narum advised she is at a quandary if Three Valleys would not be applying for these <br /> grants. She noted the City of Dublin has given direct funding to Pleasanton-based Three Valleys and <br /> this aligns with what she would like to do to help get them off the ground. She explained if funding stays <br /> local through Three Vallcys as opposed to a Silicon Valley area foundation, it is more likely to be <br /> dispersed in Pleasanton. She advised she is open for discussion but inclined to table the discussion <br /> directing Interim City Manager Dolan to work with Three Valleys towards a solution. <br /> Councilmember Narum moved to table the item and direct the Interim City Manager to work with the <br /> Three Valley Board of Directors Chair towards a one-time grant program satisfying its needs. <br /> In response to Mayor Brown, Councilmember Narum clarified one-time does not mean $50,000 every <br /> year but agreed the $50.000 could be spread over three years. She endorsed involving the Human <br /> Services Commission in the discussion and having it help figure out how many organizations fit the <br /> profile of indirect service to the community. <br /> City Council Minutes Page 15 of 17 January 18. 2022 <br />