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DATE: |
February 28th, 2023 |
13 |
SUBJECT
Title
COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT, NEIGHBORHOOD REINVESTMENT PROGRAM GRANTS AND CEQA EXEMPTIONS (DISTRICT: 1)
Body
OVERVIEW
The County of San Diego is fortunate to have an opportunity to reinvest taxpayer money into our communities for the benefit of the public. This action will assist the County in meeting the needs of the community.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHAIR NORA VARGAS
1. Allocate $20,000 from the Community Enhancement Program budget (Org 12900) to Chefs de Cuisine Association of San Diego Education Foundation, Inc. to fund costs associated with warehouse expenses, truck insurance and lease expenses, and general operating expenses to facilitate the delivery of food to those in need.
2. Allocate $14,000 from the Community Enhancement Program budget (Org 12900) to San Ysidro Women’s Club to support their Community Teddy Bear for Kids Project in December 2023 in partnership with the San Ysidro School District.
3. Allocate $5,000 from the Community Enhancement Program budget (Org 12900) to United Way of San Diego County to support the Read Across America initiative by purchasing and distributing new books to students experiencing inequities in South Bay San Diego.
4. Allocate $5,000 from the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget (Org 15650) to Assistance League of Greater San Diego to provide funding towards purchasing appropriate school clothing and shoes for housing-insecure students in Chula Vista.
5. Allocate $4,000 from the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget (Org 15650) to Drugs and Diagnostics for Tropical Diseases to provide funding towards a one-time purchase of a centrifuge that will be used to prepare certain critical reagents (chemicals) for large-scale manufacturing of Hepatitis A tests.
6. Allocate $35,000 from the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget (Org 15650) to GRID Alternatives San Diego, Inc. to provide funding towards a solar installation project in Logan Heights located at 1805 Harrison Avenue, San Diego, CA 92113, through a partnership with San Diego Habitat for Humanity. Funding will cover solar materials and supplies, as well as permitting costs.
7. Allocate $10,989.42 from the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget (Org 15650) to Interfaith Shelter Network of San Diego to provide funding to purchase a new office copier, printer, and scanner.
8. Allocate $30,000 from the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget (Org 15650) to Kiku Gardens to provide funding towards a kitchen renovation to benefit a luncheon program for seniors.
9. Allocate $36,973 from the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget (Org 15650) to Reuben H. Fleet Science Center to provide funding towards the completion of Heikoff Dome Theatre renovations at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center which includes replacing theatre seats and carpeting.
10. Allocate $10,000 from the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget (Org 15650) to Vehicles for Change San Diego, Inc. to provide funding towards purchasing equipment including hand tools, power tools, air compressors, Scan tool system, and research books to be used by trainees passing ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certifications.
11. Allocate $7,525 from the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget (Org 15650) to Voices for Children to provide funding to obtain banners, photographs, postage stamps, and other materials to be used in public service announcements (PSAs) and community newsletters.
12. Allocate $14,518 from the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget (Org 15650) to Write Out Loud to purchase copies of the "The Bear" by Andrew Krivak for use by students at Bonita Vista Middle School, Eastlake Middle School, Rancho del Rey Middle School, and Southwest High School participating in their Read Imagine Create program.
13. Find that all the grants serve a public purpose.
14. Authorize the Director, Office of Economic Development and Government Affairs to enter into agreements and make minor amendments to agreements that do not change the purpose or amount of the grant to organizations awarded funds.
15. Find that the proposed grants to GRID Alternatives San Diego, Inc., Kiku Gardens, and Reuben H. Fleet Science Center are exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
We recognize the systemic impacts that inequitable policies may create for residents in San Diego County. Find that these proposed allocations of funds are intended to improve the quality of life throughout the County by providing funds for non-profits and local agencies whose work addresses inequities, promotes quality of life and improves outcomes that align with the vision of our county. Organizations and agencies were chosen based on their location or the demographics they serve with a focus on organizations and agencies that focus on vulnerable community members, youth and seniors, and other inclusive community events. The organizations that were chosen work to promote a sense of belonging and utilize equity in their operations, outreach, and programs. Their supporting documents were reviewed as well as impact reports and community testimony.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for these grant requests are included in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 Operational Plan for the Community Enhancement Program budget (Org 12900) and Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget (Org 15650). The fiscal impact of these recommendations is $39,000 from the Community Enhancement Program budget (Org 12900) and $154,005.42 from the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget (Org 15650) totaling $193,005.42. The funding sources are Transient Occupancy Tax Revenue, and General Purpose Revenue. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
N/A
BACKGROUND
Chefs de Cuisine Association of San Diego Education Foundation, Inc.
Established in 2002, Chefs de Cuisine Association of San Diego Education Foundation, Inc. works to create and promote culinary-related educational opportunities that address industry standards and provide scholarships, mentorships, and apprenticeships. They foster collaborative efforts that impact issues such as nutrition, food rescue, childhood obesity, healthy eating, access to training and the impact of these concerns on underserved communities. Today’s allocation of $20,000 from the Community Enhancement Program budget (Org 12900) to Chefs de Cuisine Association of San Diego Education Foundation, Inc. to fund costs associated with warehouse expenses, truck insurance and lease expenses, and general operating expenses to facilitate the delivery of food to those in need.
San Ysidro Women’s Club
The San Ysidro Women’s Club is affiliated with the California chapter of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, an international women’s organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. The San Ysidro chapter was founded in 1937 and has dedicated their service to the community towards education and helping those in need. Today’s allocation of $14,000 from the Community Enhancement Program budget (Org 12900) to San Ysidro Women’s Club will provide funding to support their Community Teddy Bear for Kids Project in December 2023 in partnership with the San Ysidro School District.
United Way of San Diego County
United Way of San Diego County envisions a vibrant community built on opportunity for everyone, and whose mission works toward sparking breakthrough community action that elevates every child and family toward a brighter future. United Way works to strengthen our communities by working in alignment with partners to address inequities in our region and help underserved communities. Today’s allocation of $5,000 from the Community Enhancement Program budget (Org 12900) to United Way of San Diego County will provide support the Read Across America initiative by purchasing and distributing new books to students experiencing inequities in South Bay San Diego.
Assistance League of Greater San Diego
Assistance League of Greater San Diego is an all-volunteer non-profit organization that administers programs and performs specific services to meet community needs that help transform the lives of children and adults throughout San Diego. Today’s allocation of $5,000 from the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget (Org 15650) to Assistance League of Greater San Diego to provide funding towards purchasing to purchase appropriate school clothing and shoes for housing-insecure students in Chula Vista.
Drugs and Diagnostics for Tropical Diseases
Drugs and Diagnostics for Tropical Diseases is based in San Diego and whose mission is to discover new treatments and develop diagnostics for neglected tropical diseases that affect impoverished populations. They seek to reduce health inequity within local communities by providing a portfolio of low-cost Rapid Diagnostic Tests developed specifically for homeless individuals and people living in impoverished conditions. Today’s allocation of $4,000 from the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget (Org 15650) to Drugs and Diagnostics for Tropical Diseases will provide funding towards a one-time purchase of a centrifuge that will be used to prepare certain critical reagents (chemicals) for large-scale manufacturing of Hepatitis A tests.
GRID Alternatives San Diego, Inc.
GRID Alternatives San Diego, Inc. was founded in 2001 during the California energy crisis, driven by the simple idea: free, clean electricity from the sun should be available to everyone. They envision a rapid, equitable transition to a world powered by renewable energy that benefits everyone. Under-resourced communities and communities of color disproportionately bear the burden of environmental injustice and climate change. Today’s allocation of $35,000 from the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget (Org 15650) to GRID Alternatives San Diego, Inc. will provide funding towards a solar installation project in Logan Heights, through a partnership with San Diego Habitat for Humanity, by completing a solar installation on a multi-family complex of seven low-income town homes. Funding will cover solar materials and supplies, as well as permitting costs.
Interfaith Shelter Network of San Diego
The mission of the Interfaith Shelter Network of San Diego is to enable those they serve toward self-sufficiency by coordinating the efforts of participating congregations, social service agencies, and governmental programs in order to provide shelter and other resources for unhoused individuals and families in the San Diego region. Today’s allocation of $10,989.42 from the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget (Org 15650) to Interfaith Shelter Network of San Diego will provide funding to purchase a new office copier, printer, and scanner.
Kiku Gardens
Kiku Gardens in Chula Vista serves over 7,000 seniors every year and provides seniors specific resources including wellness programs, educational programs, and general assistance with housing and home safety. They partner with community organizations who provide volunteers to cook for seniors. Today’s allocation of $30,000 from the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget (Org 15650) to Kiku Gardens will provide funding towards a kitchen renovation to benefit a luncheon program for seniors.
Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center opened in 1973 and has been connecting people of all ages to the possibilities and power of science to create a better future. Their mission is to realize a San Diego region where everyone is connected to the power of science. Home to more than 100 interactive exhibits and an IMAX theatre, they also host school field trips, science workshops, and educational camps. Today’s allocation of $36,973 from the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget (Org 15650) to Reuben H. Fleet Science Center will provide funding towards the completion of Heikoff Dome Theatre renovations at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center which includes replacing theatre seats and carpeting.
Vehicles for Change San Diego, Inc.
Vehicles for Change San Diego, Inc. is a non-profit organization that awards automobiles to individuals who have secured employment but cannot afford to purchase a vehicle. Today’s allocation of $10,000 from the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget (Org 15650) to Vehicles for Change San Diego, Inc. will provide funding towards purchasing equipment including hand tools, power tools, air compressors, Scan tool system, and research books to be used by trainees passing ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certifications.
Voices for Children
Founded in 1980, Voices for Children is a San Diego-based nonprofit organization that recruits, trains, and supports Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers who speak up for the needs and well-being of children in foster care. In 2015, Voices for Children expanded to serve children in Riverside County foster care. As the only agency designated by the courts to provide CASA volunteers in San Diego and Riverside Counties, Voices for Children’s CASAs play a crucial role in helping judges make the most informed decisions for children’s futures. Today’s allocation of $7,525 from the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget (Org 15650) to Voices for Children will provide funding towards the acquisition of banners, photographs, postage stamps, and collateral materials for use in public service announcements (PSAs) and community newsletters.
Write Out Loud
The mission of Write Out Loud is to inspire, challenge, and entertain by reading literature aloud to audiences of all ages. They were born from a love of literature and their desire to share that passion with the community. They incorporate the values of human equality, the habitual practice of inclusion, demonstration of respect for all, and recognition of the benefits of diversity. They have been supported by California Humanities, the City of San Diego’s Commission for Arts and Culture, and the California Arts Council. Today’s allocation of $10,000 from the Neighborhood Reinvestment Program budget (Org 15650) to Write Out Loud will provide funding to purchase copies of the "The Bear" by Andrew Krivak for use by students at Bonita Vista Middle School, Eastlake Middle School, Rancho del Rey Middle School, and Southwest High School participating in their Read Imagine Create program.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed actions to approve the grant allocations for the Neighborhood Reinvestment and Community Enhancement Programs supports the Sustainability, Community, and Equity Initiatives in the County of San Diego’s 2022-2027 Strategic Plan by providing an opportunity for the Board of Supervisors to assist non-profits and public agencies’ programs and services that stimulate tourism, promote the economy, create jobs, enhance a better quality of life, and/or fund one-time community, social, environmental, educational, cultural, or recreational needs that serve public purposes in the county.
Respectfully submitted,
NORA VARGAS
Supervisor, First District
ATTACHMENT(S)
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