Finance Highlights 2007 0925 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY OF SAN LEANDRO STAFF REPORT Date: September 1 ], 2007 To: John Jermanis, City Manager Via: ~ Steve Hollister, Assistant City Manager From: Kathy Ornelas, Community Relations Representative Subject: Modification of the City Council Neighborhood Empowerment Fund Program SUP'IMARY AND RECOMMENDATION In past Fiscal Years, City Council districts and the Mayor's Office were appropriated funds through the annual budget process to provide for assistance to neighborhoods and neighborhood organizations for special projects. h~ Fiscal Year 04-05, this practice was discontinued due to budget constraints. It has been recommended that the practice be revisited and revised to once again allow the Mayor and City Council to have a source of funding to assist with community projects and events as a Community Empowerment Fund program. BACKGROUND Beginning in FY 00-01, the City Council approved an appropriation of $5,000 to each Council District and the Mayor's Office each year to be used for special projects in the community. The funds were referred to as Neighborhood Empowerment Funds. In addition, in 2001 Mayor Young established the Mayor's Community Fund which was funded through contributions raised during the annual Mayor's Cup golf tournament. The Mayor's Community Fund was intended to support the City's Sister City activities and grant requests for funding from community groups for special events or projects. In keeping with Assembly Bill 1234, the list of community fund recipients was formally adopted by City Council resolution in 2005, and in 2006 the list was expanded slightly, again by City Council resolution. The complete list is attached for reference. In FY 03-04, due to mounting budget constraints, the funding for the Neighborhood Empowerment program was reduced to $2,500. In FY 04-OS the appropriation was eliminated entirely, although the carry-over of unspent funds from each prior year has been allowed.