HomeMy WebLinkAbout6/21/2022 Item 5c, Makekau - Staff Agenda CorrespondenceCity of San Luis Obispo, Council Memorandum
City of San Luis Obispo
Council Agenda Correspondence
DATE: June 21, 2022
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Beya Makekau, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager
VIA: Derek Johnson, City Manager
SUBJECT: ITEM 5c.- CONSIDERATION OF THE 2022-23 HUMAN RELATIONS
COMMISSION GRANTS-IN-AID FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff received the following questions, regardin g GIA funding recommendations from the
Human Relations Commission (HRC). The questions are below with staff’s response
shown in italics. Also, HRC Vice Chair Kasperzak will be in attendance at tonight’s
meeting and able to answer questions if requested.
1) Did the full HRC have a role in determining final recommendations?
Answer: Yes. The grant review subcommittee provided an initial recommendation
to the full HRC on 4/06/22. After deliberation and discussion, the Commission
unanimously voted on funding recommendations and were again reviewed by the
full HRC at a required public hearing on 5/04/22. At that meeting, the Commission
voted to recommend the organizations and funding amounts as presented in the
Council Agenda Report for the 6/21/22 City Council meeting.
2) What was rationale behind funding Pregnancy and Parenting Support?
Answer: The commissioners felt the funding request aligned with the identified top
funding priorities, specifically hunger and malnutrition prevention and supportive
physical and mental health services for those in need. The funding application
stated that:
“Pregnancy & Parenting Support distributes infant formula to low and very
low-income families and nutritional supplements to pregnant women. As
part of a countywide network aiding with infant nutrition to families alongside
their agency partner, WIC (Women Infants & Children), their barrier-free
services are available to all families with infants and toddlers. They are
requesting $10,000 to be used to buy infant formula and nutritional
supplements for these families. Additionally, funds will be used to
supplement the salaries of staff providing emotional support and distributing
basic needs.”
Insert Report Title Page 2
The historical GIA funding for this organization is listed below and included in
Attachment 5.B.
2018 Grant Award: $4,282
2019 Grant Award: $7,000
2020 Grant Award: $2,000
2021 Grant Award: $5,000
3) What was the rationale behind funding French Hospital?
Answer: The commissioners felt that the funding application request was
aligned with the HRC primary funding priority of homelessness prevention and
support. The funding application stated that:
“Homeless Support and Prevention Program (HSPP) at French Hospital
Medical Center (FHMC) provides financial assistance and case-managed
follow-up for medically fragile homeless patients, as well as homeless
prevention services for patients considered at -risk. The HSPP provides
homeless patients and patients identified as at-risk for homelessness with
the following services at hospital discharge: (1) shelter for additional
recovery time, (2) a stay at a sober living facility (if medical conditions are
exacerbated by or related to substance abuse), (3) transportation upon
discharge, (4) medication, (5) basic survival supplies, and (6) case
management services. This program relies on gifts and donations; the
requested funds will help cover the costs of these services ”. The program
would benefit 650 city residents.”
Commissioners also increased the initial funding recommendation during final
deliberations due to its close alignment with the primary funding priority.
4) What was rationale for not funding the R.A.C.E. Matters Black Salon/Cultural
Space project?
Answer: Commissioners felt they lacked information on the specifics of acquiring
a physical space for the salon. Commissioners also felt that the R.A.C.E. Matters
salon proposal directly aligned with the DEI high impact grant criteria and could
qualify for funding under that grant program which will be launched in July. The
R.A.C.E. Matters program recommended for fu nding is the NioreSLO series as
described in Attachment 5.C. Also, please note that the program description for
the NioreSLO series in Attachment 5.C. incorrectly listed events to be funded as
“private”. Per HRC bylaws and contract requirements the events being funded will
be open to all members of the public with some events requiring registration.
Registration will be open to all members of the public.