Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Executive
Subject: Use of District-Discretionary Measure K Funds - Supervisorial District 4
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing a one-time grant of district-discretionary Measure K funds, not to exceed $50,000, to The Circuit EPA to purchase state-of-the-art technology equipment, including computers, software, and robotics kits, to be used in their STEAM programs for the Ravenswood City School District, providing an exception to the criteria for district-discretionary Measure K funds to allow for advanced payment, and authorizing the County Executive, or designee, to execute the grant agreement.
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BACKGROUND:
Measure K is the half-cent general sales tax initially approved by San Mateo County voters in November 2012 and extended in November 2016 for a total of thirty years.
On March 9, 2021, and March 23, 2021, the Board of Supervisors (Board) held study sessions on Measure K expenditures and anticipated revenue for fiscal years (FY) 2021-23. The Board-appointed Measure K sub-committee, consisting of Supervisor Pine and Supervisor Canepa, convened the study sessions to, among other things, work with staff to facilitate the Board’s development of Measure K priorities and continuing initiatives for FYs 2021-23. The Board approved $5 million in one-time loans or grants for the FY 2021-23 budget cycle, divided equally among the five supervisorial districts, for district-discretionary needs and projects. District 4 has submitted a request to use their district-discretionary Measure K funds as shown below and described in the Project Summary section of this memorandum:
|
District/Project |
Amount |
|
District 4 (Supervisor Warren Slocum) - The Circuit EPA to purchase state-of-the-art technology equipment, including computers, software, and robotics kits, to be used in their STEAM programs for the Ravenswood City School District |
$50,000 |
This item is consistent with the criteria for district-discretionary Measure K funds approved by the Board in December 2018, with the following exception. The Circuit EPA has requested 50% ($25,000) of the grant amount as upfront, rather than reimbursement payment, and the remaining 50% ($25,000) paid on a reimbursement basis. This payment structure requires Board approval because the criteria for district-discretionary Measure K funds approved by the Board in December 2018 provided for reimbursement payments. The partially upfront payment schedule is necessary to support the purchase of the state-of-the-art equipment, as the grantee does not otherwise have the funding to make the purchases. The Board may approve this exception to the criteria by adopting the resolution.
PROJECT SUMMARY:
This is a request to authorize a grant to The Circuit EPA, and resulting grant agreement, in an amount not to exceed $50,000, to purchase state-of-the-art technology equipment, including computers, software, and robotics kits, to be used in their Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) programs for the Ravenswood City School District. The County Executive’s Office will administer and manage the proposed agreement.
The Circuit EPA is a new East Palo Alto-based nonprofit organization that is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of big thinkers and explorers by connecting underrepresented East Palo Alto youth to groundbreaking technology and providing equitable access to high-quality STEAM opportunities. As a hub for the young people in East Palo Alto to explore the field of technology, The Circuit EPA’s programs will expose and prepare East Palo Alto youth for future careers and increase People of Color representation in the Silicon Valley workforce. The Circuit EPA’s vision is to give all young people access to opportunity.
The Circuit EPA will provide access to cutting-edge technology on the Cesar Chavez Ravenswood Middle School campus that would otherwise be out of reach for these students. The programs will include: Club Circuit, a year-round after-school and summer STEAM program for students in grades K-12; 8-80 Zone, a technology lab providing access to the latest STEAM tools and resources for hands-on experiences; the Immersive Learning Project, leveraging VR technology in the classroom; and an Esports program to tap into students’ passion for gaming while exposing them to the educational aspects of computer programming.
The Circuit EPA needs to purchase technology and equipment to implement these STEAM programs. This $50,000 district-discretionary Measure K grant will provide funding to support these purchases, allowing The Circuit EPA to provide high-quality STEAM programs to underrepresented youth, giving them the tools and resources they need to succeed in today's tech-driven economy.
Total Measure K Request: Not to Exceed $50,000
The release of funds will be contingent on the execution of an agreement providing for the County’s confirmation of the expenditure of funds for the purposes stated herein. The County will disburse the funds to the following organization for the purposes described above:
John K. Colleton
Executive Director
The Circuit EPA
2120 Euclid Ave.
East Palo Alto, CA 94303
john@thecircuitepa.org <mailto:john@thecircuitepa.org>
www.thecircuitepa.org <http://www.thecircuitepa.org>
(415) 871-8331
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
|
Description |
Target |
|
Purchase of state-of-the-art technology equipment, including computers, software, and robotics kits, by June 30, 2024. |
Complete |
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are sufficient Measure K funds for this specific FY 2022-23 Measure K request. These funds are budgeted in the Non-Departmental Services FY 2022-23 Adopted Budget.