TITLE
Recommendation to request City Manager to report back at a City Council meeting in 90 days the feasibility, costs and approach to coordinating and integrating grant applications within the City, as well as provide an annual report to the City Council on outcomes, including the number and dollar amount of grants applied for, number and dollar amount of grants funded, number and dollar amount of grants secured, and the benefits for each of the City Council Districts.
DISCUSSION
Due to the elimination of the Redevelopment Agency, every dollar that comes into our City counts. The City of Long Beach budget contains millions of dollars in grant funding through a variety of City departments. Currently, City departments applying for grants do so with limited, if any, integration or communication with other City departments. Departments that are writing grants usually have only one person on staff devoted to addressing grant opportunities, leaving applications with a similar timeline unaddressed due to lack of time and staff resources. City departments can be limited in the grants they can apply for because they may not have an affiliated nonprofit to receive grant funds, leaving them eligible only to apply for designated government funds.
In the City's current Financial Strategic Plan, under Section Four, principles are listed including to "Structurally balance the budget using a multi-pronged approach, including potential new revenue...". With the current economic climate, the City needs to be strategic in researching, selecting, and applying for grants to ensure the maximum amount of grant funding for the City. Under the Budget Policy, Section VIII, City staff are charged "to seek out and apply for and effectively administer Federal, State and other grants that address the City's priorities and policy objectives and provide a positive benefit to the City," yet, there is no coordinated approach within the City to do so.
A coordinated Citywide effort could result in an increase in grant funds received by the City to address the priorities and policy objectives of the City Council. Fewer funding opportunities would be missed and a more efficient process would result.
Communication among departments and with Council Offices should occur as part of the grant consideration process. This will help improve the strength of the grant application and ensure the appropriate department is taking the lead on the grant request. A consolidated and integrated approach to grant opportunities will make the City much more competitive and will likely result in a higher level of grants awarded to the City.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no significant cost associated with this request.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
COUNCILMAN DEE ANDREWS
SIXTH DISTRICT
COUNCILMEMBER ROBERT GARCIA
FIRST DISTRICT
VICE MAYOR SUJA LOWENTHAL
COUNCILMEMBER, SECOND DISTRICT
COUNCILMEMBER JAMES JOHNSON
SIXTH DISTRICT