Report Prepared by: Jennifer Meissonnier, Recreation Supervisor, Parks and Recreation
Title
SUBJECT: FY 2018 Merced County First Five Mini Grant - Accept and Appropriate
REPORT IN BRIEF
Consider accepting and appropriating grant funding in the amount of $3,000 from Merced County First Five for the Applegate Park Zoo’s Lights Before Christmas event.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Accepting grant funds from Merced County First Five and increasing revenue in Fund 024 Parks and Community Services in the amount of $3,000 and appropriating the same to account 024-1254-542-29-00; and,
B. Authorizing the City Manager or Assistant City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by Staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to conditions other than recommended by Staff (identify specific findings and/or conditions amended to be addressed in the motion); or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion).
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2017-18 Adopted Budget
DISCUSSION
Merced County First 5 provides Proposition 10 funding through an application process to fund one-time mini grants and encourage community participation and development of projects that address Merced County First 5’s vision and mission. Their vision is that all children in Merced County will thrive in supportive, loving and nurturing environments, enter school healthy and ready to learn, and become productive, well-adjusted members of society. First 5 considers applications that provide services to their target population of children from birth to age 5 in two annual funding cycles. The General Mini Grants program provides funding up to a maximum of $3,000 to help applicants accomplish their objective(s).
The Parks and Recreation Department applied for a general mini grant this past December and was awarded the full amount of $3,000 for costs associated with the 3rd Annual Lights Before Christmas event at Applegate Park Zoo. The event is an opportunity for children and families in the community to experience the Zoo decorated for Christmas and all lit up at night, transformed into a sparkling winter wonderland, while they observe the animals in their nocturnal habitats. The event was held on the evenings of December 22 and 23, 2017, from 5-7:30 pm, and offered fun activities for the kids, Christmas music, hot cocoa, candy canes, crafting in “Santa’s Workshop”, animal viewing and petting, playing in the “snow”, and pictures with Santa.
In the past two years local businesses volunteered to decorate a particular animal exhibit. However, this year, as a special addition to the event because of the anticipated partnership with First 5, the focus was to invite businesses and community groups that catered to the needs of young children and youth in the community to be a part of the decorating teams. This was done in order to recognize the important services these groups provide, while also highlighting some of the resources available to children and their families in Merced. Each decorating group was asked to include a banner or sign in their area to indicate their participation in the event. In addition, every family that attended received a “goodie bag” that contained informational handouts about many services available for youth, as well as some freebie items like arcade tokens, pens, crayons, and Christmas eyeglasses. Additionally, children 5 and under were given free admission to the event, sponsored by First 5.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
The funds of $3,000 will be available within the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 budget to help with costs associated with the Applegate Park Zoo’s Lights Before Christmas Event.
ATTACHMENTS
1. First Five Contract