For City Council Meeting [September 13, 2022]
TO: Honorable Mayor and Council
APPROVAL: Marcus Fuller, City Manager
FROM: Marcus Fuller, City Manager
Title
Request City Council to Adopt Resolution No. 7966 Adopting a Policy on the Use of Community Benefit Funds by City Council Members.
Body
BACKGROUND
The current Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Fiscal Year budget includes an appropriation of $50,000 in the City Council department budget for “Council Expenditures”. As highlighted during the budget meetings earlier this year, the City Manager recommended the establishment of a Community Benefit Fund for the City Council like other cities, whereby each Council Member may utilize their allocated funds for specific purposes. In this case, each Council Member has available an appropriation of $10,000 for their use during the current fiscal year.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
To ensure that the discretionary use of Community Benefit Funds allocated to each Council Member is for a legitimate public purpose, it is necessary to consider adoption of a policy outlining the use of these funds. The City Attorney has prepared a Resolution outlining a policy for Council’s consideration. Allowable uses are identified below:
• Contributions to community based not-for-profit organizations that provide services or assistance to residents of the City;
• Contributions to programs, services, assistance, teams or clubs offered at or through schools or other community organizations located within the City or that otherwise serve students or residents of the City;
• Contributions to scholarships, grants, awards, or recognition programs for students or residents of the City;
• Contributions to job training, job placement, occupational education, work force development and similar programs provided to residents of the City;
• Contributions in support of the arts within the community that are available to residents of the community;
• Contributions in support of social, economic, or environmental justice and equality that benefit the community;
• Contributions to City, school, or community events, fairs, festivals, parades, concerts, tournaments, farmers markets, community gardens and similar activities;
• Contributions in support of local athletic teams, events, programs, or activities for residents of the community;
• Contributions in support of not-for-profit services or programs providing access to physical and mental health resources to residents of the City;
• Contributions in support of healthy eating programs, food banks, meals on wheels, school lunch programs, and similar programs assisting residents with nutritional necessities;
• Contributions to legal aid, tenant advocacy and similar programs available to residents;
• Contributions to grant or aid programs for local businesses;
• Purchase of tickets, tables, or sponsorships for community events;
• Payment of City fees applicable to special events at City facilities hosted by community based not-for-profit organizations that provide services or assistance to students and/or residents of the City;
• Purchase of equipment, supplies, or other resources for community organizations;
• Such other expenditures which the City Council may, from time to time determine are within the spirit and intent of this policy and provide benefit to the community. Such determination may be made by amendment to this policy or by order of the City Council entered into its official meeting minutes.
The policy expressly prohibits the use of Community Benefit Funds for the personal financial benefit of the Councilmember or be provided to for-profit businesses, used for campaign contributions, or for any use that would constitute a gift of public funds under California Law.
A copy of the Resolution is attached as Attachment 1.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed action does not constitute a “project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(b) of the State CEQA Guidelines, a project does not include organizational or administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
This action is consistent with Guiding Principle 3A in the General Plan:
“Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsible manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.”
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney has approved the Resolution and the staff report.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The Fiscal Year 2022-2023 General Fund budget appropriated $50,000 for City Council discretionary funds. Sufficient funds are budgeted and available in the General Fund, Account No. 010-500-1149-2025.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the Resolution approving the policy on City Council expenditure of Community Benefit Funds.