Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: John L. Maltbie, County Manager
Subject: Use of District-Specific Measure K Funds - Supervisorial District 3
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing a one-time grant of district-specific Measure K funds, not to exceed $20,000, to Abundant Grace Coastside Worker for farm employment opportunities, and authorizing the County Manager, or his designee, to prepare and 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. The Board of Supervisors (“Board”) and County staff have conducted study sessions and community outreach efforts to inform priorities for Measure K spending for FY2017-19.
On May 16, 2017, the Board approved the FY 2017-19 Measure K allocation plan in which the County anticipates Measure K receipts of approximately $81.6 million annually. The plan included $7 million in one-time loans or grants during FY 2017-19, divided equally among the five supervisorial districts, for district-specific needs and projects. District 3 has submitted a request to use its district-specific Measure K funds as shown below and described in the Project Summary section of this memorandum:
|
District/Project |
Amount |
|
District 3 (Supervisor Horsley) - Abundant Grace: Farm employment opportunities |
$20,000 |
This item is consistent with the criteria for district-specific Measure K funds, which were developed during the initial round of district-specific allocations and approved by the Board in April 2015.
PROJECT SUMMARY:
This is a request to authorize a grant to Abundant Grace, and resulting grant agreement in an amount not to exceed $20,000 to provide for farm employment opportunities. The County Manager will administer and manage the proposed agreement.
Abundant Grace Coastside Worker (Abundant Grace) is non-profit organization associated with the Coastside Lutheran Church aimed at “Practicing Hospitality, Growing and Sharing Food.” Abundant Grace’s mission is grounded in an accompaniment model of advocacy and direct service to homeless, immigrant, and low-income communities. Abundant Grace operates two homeless employment projects including a Coastal Cleanup Program sponsored by the City of Half Moon Bay and the Organic Farm Employment Project historically sponsored through private donations. For over seven years, Abundant Grace has partnered with Potrero Nuevo Farm to facilitate the Organic Farm Employment Project, a “full circle, food justice, and farm to table” program.
Potrero Nuevo Farm donates use of its land, farm equipment, harvest support, seeds and other materials for the employment of homeless individuals, county clients housed in Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), and extremely low-income coastside residents. Abundant Grace hires an average of 50 people annually and distributes the produce harvested at 3 community sites along the coastside to address issues of food justice, access to organic fruits and vegetables, obesity and disease prevention, and sustainable, environmental farming. In recent years, project workers have planted and harvested over 20,000 pounds of fresh, organic produce that supports local food programs such as the weekly Table of Plenty dinner, produce for the St. Vincent de Paul food bank, and produce to be given away to families in need at the free community breakfast at the Lutheran Church.
Donations for the Organic Farm Employment Project have recently declined, resulting in fewer individuals employed. Abundant Grace conducts individual outreach, engages community partners for referrals such as the Homeless Outreach Team (HOT), and provides direct services including site transportation and follow-up assessments. Abundant Grace has the capacity to hire up to 7 individuals per 3 hour work day at a rate of $18.50 per hour during the agricultural season (April-December). Project participants can work up to 6 hours per week, gain employment skills, and access supportive services while contributing to local food security. Eligibility in the program is not based on religious affiliation.
This funding will support the Organic Farm Employment Project program costs, including provision of direct services and payment of worker stipends. The executive director will submit documentation of wages expended for reimbursement. The annual project budget is approximately $63,000 and this one-time grant will support the project through the remaining fiscal year. In addition, Abundant Grace will continue project fundraising and finalizing a worker survey to gather feedback and to identify specific homeless needs. The survey will be introduced during the term of the agreement.
Total Measure K Request: Not to Exceed $20,000
The release of funds will be contingent on the execution of an agreement providing for the County’s confirmation of the expenditure of funds during FY 2017-19 for the purposes stated herein. The County will disburse the funds to the following organization for the purposes described above:
Eric DeBode
Executive Director
Abundant Grace Coastside Worker
650-458-7907
ericdebode@gmail.com <mailto:ericdebode@gmail.com>
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
|
Description |
Target |
|
Eligible individuals participating in the Organic Farm Employment Project |
45 workers per seasonal month |
|
Produce harvested within 5 months of agreement |
10,000 lbs. |
|
Participant survey completion |
20 surveys |
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
Funding for the Abundant Grace Farm Employment Project contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Prosperous Community by supporting employment opportunities for homeless and extremely low-income people while providing access to healthy, organic fruits and vegetables to families in need.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are sufficient Measure K funds for this specific FY 2018-2019 Measure K request. These funds are budgeted in the Non-Departmental Services FY 2018-19 Approved Recommended Budget.