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operating budget of the city by contract. There are different aspects of the City budget that address various programs. Sometimes when only one pan of that process is being considered, Council loses sight of the other methods for funding programs in the community. She pointed out that the applications need to be mailed soon, so she requested Council to take action on that. Mayor Tarver said he understood staff's concems about how funds are allocated and the concerns about use of public funds, but he preferred having more flexibility and latitude in granting money to deserving individuals. He believed that flexibility is going away. Sometimes it is necessary to grant funds outside the application process. Ms. Acosta explained that there is tremendous flexibility in all the programs. There is a scholarship program, funds for each department for various circumstances, etc. but what staff is concerned about is the fairness to all participants. Ms. Ayala supported the staff recommendation, but she had spoken to some Human Services commissioners and felt they were getting mixed messages. She suggested a joint meeting to clarify issues. Ms. Dennis indicated from her experience on the Waste Management Authority and Recycling Board she was familiar with the difficulties involved in different types of grants that are offered and what the philosophy of an organization as far as granting. It is different with government, because it is dealing with public funds. If one is separating the support of the need versus the support of the organization, it seems that if the City is contracting with an organization to provide a necessary service, there is another level of oversight of the financial management of the organization that is necessary. She agreed a policy discussion would be useful to understand all the different models to be used and all the ones being used by the City for support of public needs. Ms. Acosta cited Child Care Links as an agency that is being funding through the operating budget through an on-going contract. It is providing a service on behalf of the City. Mayor Tarver pointed out that these are "guidelines". If staff wants to make this a fast rule, then it should say "Rules", not guidelines. Guidelines indicate funding is case- by-case. Mr. Wolfe stated that this process is evolving. The uniqueness of this situation is that it is the result of about fifteen months of work by representatives from the Human Services, the Youth Commission and the Civic Arts Commission to design a process they felt was workable and would allow them to make concrete recommendations about how to allocate the grant funds, and yet to provide consistency and advance notice of the basis on which allocations will be made, as well as consistency among the three Commissions. Ms. Dennis asked if there was a formal program of assisting and educating agencies or groups that are new to this process. Pleasanton City Council 12 Minutes 01/04/00