CC MIN 01182022 - Laserfiche WebLink

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