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Ms. McKeehan indicated this reminded her of the Foothill High School Band request <br />several years ago. The Band wanted funding for a trip and staffindicated to Council that there <br />are a number of groups that go on trips to various competitions. There are sports groups, bands, <br />civics competitions, etc. Once one group is given funds, then all will expect to receive funding. <br />Even though they all may be very worthwhile, staff must consider the community at large and <br />the benefit for the most. <br /> <br /> Ms. Michelotti stated the School Liaison Committee discussed the communication <br />process regarding these grant requests. It was felt the District needed to be aware of what was <br />going on. <br /> <br /> Chris Testa, 8494 Toflano Court, member of the Youth Commission, asked for Council <br />support of the Youth Commission recommendations. He related how the Commission reviewed <br />the applications and reached consensus on the recommendations. The Commission was in <br />support of the Robotics Enrichment Group from the beginning. It looked for ways to support the <br />younger students. He was from a school that won a championship in robotics and he felt this <br />was an opportunity to encourage enthusiasm in this technology. His group competed against <br />colleges and was second only to MIT. With regard to the issue of awarding funds to a single <br />school, he related the past history of grants to individual schools going back to 1995. With <br />regard to the grant for water polo, he said a Commission priority was to identify the needs for <br />after school activities and he felt this water polo group was exactly what the Commission was <br />looking for. The Youth Commission did not suggest fully funding the water polo group, but <br />elected to provide funds for equipment to help the group get started. <br /> <br /> Mr. Wolfe indicated the water polo team is now operating out of the Aquatic Center and <br />the City is only charging the group for use of the pool as it does for any other program. The <br />program is in operation and staffbelieves it should continue that way. The City works with <br />several local groups for various sports camps. <br /> <br /> Mr. Testa said the fee for members for a six week camp is $250. He believed that if the <br />group received the grant funding it could reduce costs and benefit the entire community by <br />making it more affordable for students. <br /> <br />Mayor Pico asked if he was aware of the staff concerns. <br /> <br /> Mr. Testa said he knew about the concerns about the unavailability of nonprofit status <br />and realized that was necessary. He believed the group was in the process of obtaining that <br />designation. The Youth Commission still supported its recommendations. <br /> <br /> Ms. Dennis asked if there was financial aid to students for programs such as these, who <br />might not be able to afford the $250 fee? <br /> <br /> Mr. Wolfe said there are scholarships programs for many of the sports leagues. In <br />addition to that, the City has a scholarship program based on financial needs, family income, etc. <br />Staff has been processing more and more of those requests. He briefly described the scholarship <br />programs. <br /> <br />Pleasanton City Council <br />Special Meeting Minutes <br /> <br />5 07/09/02 <br /> <br /> <br />