City leaders disgruntled with how federal grants are spent have
chosen to clarify which charities will receive support, rather than
taking charge of the volunteer committee that doles out the
money.
Gilroy – City leaders disgruntled with how federal grants are spent have chosen to clarify which charities will receive support, rather than taking charge of the volunteer committee that doles out the money.
During informal policy discussions July 22, councilmen asked staff to flesh out eligibility criteria for grants in the areas of family, shelter and youths. The move came at the urging of Councilmen Bob Dillon and Russ Valiquette, who have criticized some of the grants awarded by the seven-member Citizen Advisory Committee.
Of the roughly $125,000 given to area nonprofit groups this year, councilmen had particular concerns with a $29,412 grant for tenant-landlord counseling services, a $5,000 grant to reduce transportation costs for elderly and disabled people, and a $4,320 grant for a video that helps disabled people locate housing.
The councilmen – who each year don aprons to serve up corned beef and cabbage as part of a St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser at St. Joseph’s Family Center – think the city needs to tighten its eligibility criteria to ensure grant dollars provide more direct services.
“I wasn’t happy with the outcome (earlier this year),” Dillon said. “For instance, I don’t think hiring people who do dispute resolution with your landlord falls under (the category of) shelter. I don’t think a videotape comes under shelter. Shelter is putting a roof over someone’s head. Food is putting beans on someone’s plate.”
Both councilmen expressed frustration with the advisory committee that selects recipients. They said the group needs a greater number of volunteers and quicker turnover on its decisions so councilmen have time to provide feedback.
Under the current process, the director of the city’s Community Development Department appoints residents to the committee, with the restriction that appointees cannot work for any grant applicants.
The grant monies come from a mixed pool of funds. While the ratio varies by year, the grants generally come from the city’s Housing Trust Fund and a Community Development Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Federal law requires citizen participation in the awarding of the money, although council members have traditionally exerted some control over the process, according to City Administrator Jay Baksa.
“For years and years, the CAC has done a good job,” he said. “The council has taken the CAC’s recommendations over the years and tweaked it. That’s normal to the process.”
He pointed to a new dilemma this year as the source of some councilmen’s aggravations.
“For the first time, there was more money than we had applicants,” Baksa explained. “They gave money to everybody that put in for it and I think that’s where the rub was. … The point of this is that there will be clearer communications and clearer definitions.”
It remains unclear if the new criteria will affect the ability of certain groups to qualify for grant money. However, councilmen are considering a system that would favor groups that spend the majority of funds in Gilroy.
“The City Council has a difficult position because it’s got limited resources and there’s a huge need in the community for funding of human care services,” said Lynn Magruder, planning and development director for Rebekah Children’s Services. “They’re faced with having too many needs. … I can empathize with the need to focus their funding. What I hope is that they’re basing that on an understanding of the highest priorities in the community.”
Magruder pointed out that while the city’s assistance makes up a fraction of overall funding for most recipients, it plays a vital role in helping those groups obtain private donations. Magruder, whose job includes writing grant requests for the charity, said almost all grant makers ask for a list of funding sources.
“We look to the city to support us because when we go to private foundations, they need to see we have the support of our community,” she said. “It’s hugely important in putting the seal of approval on us.”
Officials are encouraging residents to participate in the grant-awards process by serving on the Citizens Advisory Committee. To learn more or apply, contact the city planning department at 846-0440.
