BOARD AGENDA MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT:
Title
Approval for Staff to Continue Implementation of the Safe, Clean Water Priority D3 Mini-Grants Program.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
A. Review and discuss staff's report and recommendations for the Safe, Clean Water Priority D3 Mini-Grants Program;
B. Reauthorize the District to continue implementing the Mini-Grants Program for the duration of the Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Program; and
C. Reauthorize the Mini-Grant Program budget not to exceed $200,000 per fiscal year.
Body
SUMMARY:
On March 14, 2017, the Board authorized the District to implement the pilot Mini-Grants Program in FY18 through June 30,2018 or until $200,000 of grant funding was awarded; at which point staff would evaluate the program's pilot year and report back to the Board with recommendations for next steps (Attachment 1).
Background
Staff released applications for the pilot Mini-Grants Program on August 4, 2017 using an online grants application system. Grant seekers submitted their applications, scopes of work, and budgets through the online system. Staff received a total of 22 mini-grant applications. The funding limit for each mini-grant is $5,000.
Outreach
Staff utilized several outreach methods to spread the word about the mini-grants program, including the following:
* Notifications to distribution list of current and past grantees;
* Posted on District's website, social media, and eNews;
* Announcements at various community meetings, including Creek Connection Action Group, Santa Clara Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program, and San Jose Creek Partners;
* Issued press releases on August 11, 2017 and November 1, 2017;
* Promoted through other District programs such as Adopt-A-Creek and Government Relations Local Program;
* Direct outreach to teachers in the classrooms through our Education Outreach Program;
* Direct staff outreach to local non-profits (Girl Scouts, San Jose Conservation Corp, lo...
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