For City Council Meeting September 27, 2022
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Marcus Fuller, City Manager
FROM: Tanya Williams, Assistant to the City Manager
Title
Request the Mayor to (1) Appoint a new Ad-Hoc Grants Subcommittee and (2) City Council to Ratify the formation of a new Ad-Hoc Grants Subcommittee to Review and Advise on Grant Funding Applications and Priorities.
(ACTION)
Body
BACKGROUND
At the September 13, 2022 City Council meeting, the Mayor and City Council directed staff to bring an item back for discussion regarding the formation of a grants subcommittee to coordinate the review, tracking and submission of grant funding relating to city projects and programs.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
The City of Rialto allocated over $18 million in grant funding from federal, state and local agencies in Fiscal Year 2023. This funding supports a wide range of programs, projects and planning initiatives within the City of Rialto and leverages other funds to further Council goals and priorities. Due to recent legislative efforts passed at both the federal and state level, additional grant funding opportunities will be available.
In order to prepare and prioritize these opportunities, an ad hoc grants subcommittee can facilitate the review, recommendation and priorities for staff as the City seeks out additional grant funding.
Currently, all grant funding requires Council authorization to submit applications for funding in addition to Council action to accept and appropriate funds. The grant funding adhoc subcommittee would not replace the current Council review process, however, the subcommittee could facilitate greater transparency in reviewing various opportunities in the grant funding cycles.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The request is not a “Project” as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Pursuant to Section 15378(a), a “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. According to Section 15378(b), a Project does not include: (5) 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 reviewed and recommends approval of this staff report
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
There is no impact in the formation of this subcommittee. Any future grant applications would still require the review and approval of City Council. The acceptance of the grant funding and awards would require a resolution to amend the fiscal year budget.
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
There is no impact in the formation of this subcommittee. Future grant funding opportunities could expand the reach of current funding levels within the City’s CIP budget.
Licensing
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Mayor Appoint and Council Ratify the formation of a new Ad-Hoc Grants Subcommittee to Review and Advise on Grant Funding Applications and Priorities.