Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Manager
Subject: Use of District-Discretionary Measure K Funds - Supervisorial District 3
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation to:
A) Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing a one-time grant of district-discretionary Measure K funds, not to exceed $40,000, to Abundant Grace to support the Farm Employment Opportunities Program, and authorizing the County Manager, or his designee, to execute the grant agreement; and
B) Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing a loan of district-discretionary Measure K funds, not to exceed $300,000, to Abundant Grace to contribute toward the purchase of property to be used for a Workforce Development Center, and authorizing the County Manager, or his designee, to execute the loan 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 February 12, 2019, the Board of Supervisors (Board) held a study session on Measure K expenditures and anticipated revenue for fiscal years (FY) 2019-21. The Board-appointed Measure K sub-committee, consisting of Supervisor Pine and Supervisor Canepa, convened the study session to, among other things, work with staff to facilitate the Board’s development of Measure K priorities and continuing initiatives for FY 2019-21. The Board approved $3.75 million in one-time loans or grants each fiscal year for FY 2019-21, divided equally among the five supervisorial districts, for district-discretionary needs and projects. District 3 has submitted a request to use its district-discretionary Measure K funds as shown below and described in the Project Summary section of this memorandum:
|
District/Project |
Amount |
|
District 3 (Supervisor Don Horsley) - Abundant Grace: grant for farm employment opportunities program |
$40,000 |
|
District 3 (Supervisor Don Horsley) - Abundant Grace: loan for property purchase for development of Workforce Development Center |
$300,000 |
This item is consistent with the criteria for district-discretionary Measure K funds approved by the Board in December 2018.
PROJECT SUMMARY:
This memorandum addresses two requests. The first is to authorize a grant to Abundant Grace Coastside Worker (Abundant Grace) and resulting grant agreement in an amount not to exceed $40,000 to support the farm employment opportunities program. The second is to authorize a loan to Abundant Grace and resulting loan agreement in an amount not to exceed $300,000 to assist with the purchase of property to serve as a Workforce Development Center. The County Manager will administer and manage both proposed agreements.
District-discretionary Measure K funding for this organization has previously been provided as listed below:
• Fiscal Year 2018-2019: $20,000 in district-discretionary Measure K Funds for farm employment opportunities such as the Organic Farm Employment Project.
Abundant Grace is non-profit organization whose mission is grounded in an accompaniment model of advocacy and direct service to the homeless, immigrant, and low-income communities of coastal San Mateo County. Abundant Grace operates two homeless employment programs, including the Coastside Clean Team, a coastal cleanup program supported by the City of Half Moon Bay, and the Farm Employment Opportunities Program. Abundant Grace also provides a twice weekly free community breakfast offered at the Coastside Lutheran Church.
Farm Employment Opportunities Program
Abundant Grace hires an average of 50 people experiencing homelessness annually to work at Portrero Nuevo Farm to grow over 20,000 pounds of organic produce each year. Abundant Grace distributes the produce harvested for free to low-income families at four community sites in Half Moon Bay. The program helps to address food justice, access to organic fruits and vegetables, obesity and disease prevention, and sustainable, environmental farming.
The proposed $40,000 Measure K grant would be used to support Farm Employment Program costs, including provision of direct services and payment of worker stipends. The annual Farm Employment Opportunities Program budget is approximately $120,000. This one-time grant will provide support for the program for two years from the date of the grant. Abundant Grace intends to continue fundraising efforts to further support the program.
Workforce Development Center
Abundant Grace is expanding its services and is seeking a central gathering place to offer and coordinate services. Abundant Grace envisions a workforce development center that will provide homeless individuals with employment, life-skills development, storage, simple meals, showers, and laundry. The organization is currently in escrow for a commercial property in Half Moon Bay located at 515 Kelly Street, and is seeking funding from both the County and the City of Half Moon Bay to support its purchase. If approved by the Board, the County will loan $300,000 to support purchase of the property for the Workforce Development Center. The no-interest loan is for an initial term of fifteen (15) years, at which time the entirety of the loan is due and payable. During the fifteen year term, Abundant Grace would be required to repay the loan in the event they sell the property, or otherwise stop providing the services described in this memo.
Total Measure K Request: Not to Exceed $340,000
The release of funds will be contingent on the execution of (1) a grant agreement providing for the County’s confirmation of the expenditure of funds during FY 2019-21 for the Farm Employment Opportunities Program, and (2) a loan agreement for purchase of the property for the Workforce Development Center. The County will disburse the funds to the following organization for the purposes described above, or to the Escrow Agent [set forth in connection with Abundant Grace’s purchase of the property located at 515 Kelly Street, Half Moon Bay, in accordance with said purchase documents]:
Eric Debode, Executive Director, Abundant Grace Coastside Worker
P.O. Box 702
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
(650) 458-7907
ericdebode@gmail.com <mailto:ericdebode@gmail.com>
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
|
Description |
Target |
|
Eligible individuals participating in the Farm Employment Opportunities Program |
50 people hired per year |
|
Produce harvested within the harvest season |
10,000 pounds |
|
Coastside Workforce Development Center providing services to target population |
Operational |
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the agreements and resolutions as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are sufficient Measure K funds for this specific FY 2019-20 Measure K request. These funds are budgeted in the Non-Departmental Services FY 2019-20 Adopted Budget.