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Authorize the County’s contribution of $3,650 from the General Fund contribution allocated to District 4 to benefit Putah Creek Council ($200), American Legion Auxiliary Unit 165 Girls State ($200), Chabad of Solano ($250), Vacaville Heritage Council ($200), The Vacaville Museum ($200), Play for All Park Vacaville ($200), Community Action North Bay ($1,800), Yolo Basin Foundation ($200), Center for Land Based Learning ($200) and Solano Land Trust ($200)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X__
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X__
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
Supervisor Vasquez requests that the Board of Supervisors authorize the County’s contribution of $3,650 from the General Fund contribution allocated to District 4 to benefit Putah Creek Council ($200), American Legion Auxiliary Unit 165 Girls State ($200), Chabad of Solano ($250), Vacaville Heritage Council ($200), The Vacaville Museum ($200), Play for All Park Vacaville ($200), Community Action North Bay ($1,800), Yolo Basin Foundation ($200), Center for Land Based Learning ($200) and Solano Land Trust ($200).
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
Justification:
Putah Creek Council protects and enhances Putah Creek, its watershed, and tributaries through advocacy, education and community-based stewardship. They envision Putah Creek as a thriving corridor of native riparian and aquatic ecosystems connecting the Coast Ranges to the Sacramento River and the Delta. Putah Creek watershed is a community of people who value their creek and are committed to its stewardship.
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 165 Girls State: The American Legion Auxiliary Department of California is a proud sponsor and administrator of the California Girls State program. Nearly 300 locally based Units work all year to raise money in order to provide scholarships to students to attend California Girls State. Local Units recruit from area high schools and select young women who are just completing their Junior year of high school to attend the week-long, summer session.
Chabad of Solano County is dedicated to providing every Jew regardless of background, philosophy or level of commitment, an open door environment for strengthening and enhancing Jewish family life. Chabad serves individuals and families looking for an anchor and non-judgmental, accepting, personalized Jewish experience. Launched in September 2009, Chabad is your address for everything Jewish. From students to retirees, young professionals to moms, dads and kids, there is something for everyone here.
The Vacaville Heritage Council, established in 1969, is a non-profit historical archives and research organization specializing in local Solano County History. Located on the main floor of the Old Town Hall at 618 East Main Street, Vacaville, the Council is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM or by appointment for research and tours. Staffed by volunteers, the Vacaville Heritage Council preserves information of Solano County's past, specializing in Vacaville’s history. We work with historic documents, maps, and photographs. Items are digitally photographed and returned, while the information and negatives are archived and made available for public and non-commercial use.
The Vacaville Museum, a Center for Solano County History, is the only institution whose mission includes cultural and historical preservation for all of Solano County. Through exhibits, publications and educational programs, the Museum continuously promotes the value of community heritage. Since 1984, Vacaville Museum has produced 40 exhibits, as well as numerous publications important to the history and sense of place of Solano County.
Vacaville Play for All Park: Vacaville’s Rotary Club has big plans for a new handicap-accessible park in Vacaville; a place where all children can go to play and enjoy each other’s company without anyone getting left out. The plans for this playground are expansive and very hopeful for a great place for children and parents for years to come. Property owners are working with the facility to offer about 7 ½ acres of land near Leisure Town Road and Elmira Road. The location is beautiful and large with old oak trees around the area, as well as being easily accessible to residents of Dixon, Winters, and other surrounding towns to bring families in to visit Vacaville; the perfect beginnings for a wonderful playground.
Community Action North Bay strengthens communities by providing housing and safety net services to assist those-in-need in living healthy and productive lives. We serve veterans, the physically and mentally disabled, seniors, and other vulnerable persons living in Solano County who are socially and economically at risk. Can-b focuses on: Home securing and maintaining a safe, stable and affordable place to live.
Yolo Basin Foundation works to expand public appreciation and stewardship of wetlands and wildlife in the Yolo Basin through education and innovative partnerships. Yolo Basin Foundation is a leader in environmental education, outreach, and collaborative partnerships for wetlands and wildlife stewardship in the Central Valley.
The Center for Land-Based Learning exists to cultivate opportunity for the land, youth, environment, business, and the future of agriculture. Their mission is to inspire, educate, and cultivate future generations of farmers, agricultural leaders and natural resource stewards. They envision a prosperous and sustainable agriculture in harmony with an ecologically vibrant California.
Solano Land Trust works to protect land, ensure a healthy environment, keep ranching and farming families on their properties, and inspire a love of the land. Founded in 1986 as the Solano County Farmlands and Open Space Foundation, the group changed its name in 2004 to the Solano Land Trust. Solano Land Trust was established as a result of litigation involving open space advocates, land developers and a municipal government. This unusual genesis created a board that reflects all sides of land-use issues united in the mission to preserve the agricultural legacy and natural landscapes of Solano County. Using innovative, non-confrontational techniques, SLT has permanently protected 22,161 acres of natural areas and agricultural lands to date.
Guidelines for Grant Funding Requests:
During the 2016/17 Budget Hearings, the Board appropriated $25,000, $5,000 to each supervisorial district, to allow Board members to support community service programs. The Board directed County Counsel to provide guidelines on how to recommend funding for qualifying agencies or programs. The guidelines are as follows:
1) Each supervisor must submit the proposed expenditure to the County Counsel and the Auditor/Controller for initial review.
2) The Board must approve the expenditure by a majority vote.
3) The Board must determine that the expenditure is for a public purpose.
4) The Board may authorize an expenditure of public funds to a nonprofit organization so long as the County retains ultimate control over the exercise of judgment and discretion of the intended program.
5) To ensure accountability, all expenditures are subject to periodic audit by the Auditor/Controller; and
a) If the recipient provides an activity, program or service (“activity”), it shall provide an activity report within 30 days of the activity that states the number of persons attending (if applicable) or participating activities carried out, feedback from participants (if applicable) and benefits of the activity. The recipient’s failure to provide a report may result in its being considered ineligible for future funding.
b) If the recipient is purchasing property or making improvements, it shall use the funds for only the specified purposes and allow representatives of the county to inspect and/or audit the purchase or the contractor’s performance, the facility or the portion improved with the funds and/or the records pertaining to the expenditures. The recipient shall retain for inspection and audit purposes any and all books, receipts, documentation and other records of the expenditures for three (3) years from date of receiving funds.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
This expenditure is included in the District 4 FY2016/17 budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to authorize this expenditure. However, this is not recommended as this item is consistent with Board policy.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
This report was prepared in coordination with the County Administrator’s Office, County Auditor-Controller’s Office and County Counsel.