REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: AARON A. AGUIRRE, Director
Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services Department
SHELBY MACNAB, MPA, Assistant Director
Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services Department
BY: CHANELL WEST, Senior Management Analyst
Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
***RESOLUTION - Authorizing the City Manager or designee to apply for a grant of up to $500,000 from the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) to provide programming at Camp Fresno for underserved youth and Authorizing the City Manager or designee to sign all related documents on behalf of the City. (Citywide) (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager or designee to apply for a grant of up to $500,000 from the CRNA’s Prop 64 Youth Community Access (YCA) grant program and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the grant agreement and sign all related documents on behalf of the City.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The PARCS Department is seeking grant funding from the CNRA to support youth access to natural resources through Camp Fresno. The funds will be used to provide access to Camp Fresno 2026 for youth (ages 7-17) in low-income households as identified through the United States Census Bureau, 2020.
BACKGROUND
The CNRA released the Prop 64 YCA grant on June 26, 2024. If awarded, the approximately 18-month-long grant term would begin in Fall 2025 and end in Spring 2027. The CNRA has appropriated $18.5 million dollars to invest in supporting youth access to natural or cultural resources with a focus on low-income and disadvantaged communities. The maximum grant request per agency is $500,000. Grant applications are due on August 14, 2024.
The CNRA requires funds be used to serve low-income youth, defined as youth who come from a community and/or household with an annual median household income less than 80 percent of the statewide average, or a household that qualifies for School Nutrition Programs. The YCA grant program allows for a range of projects, including camp excursions, outdoor skills workshops, and materials and equipment purchases that increase the accessibility of natural resources.
The PARCS Department is requesting funding to go toward the cost of Camp Fresno programming in the Summer of 2026. Funding would enable the PARCS Department to serve approximately 400 eligible youth.
This item has been reviewed by the City Attorney’s Office.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, this item is not a project for the purposes of CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable since this item will not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
There are no match requirements and no impacts to the General Fund. If awarded funding, the grant will be amended into the PARCS budget.
Attachment:
Resolution