Special Notice / Hearing: None
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Executive Officer
Subject: CuriOdyssey Recovery Grant
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing the County Executive, or designee(s), to enter into a grant agreement with CuriOdyssey, in an amount not to exceed $250,000, for a term ending December 31, 2023.
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BACKGROUND:
CuriOdyssey is a non-profit science museum and zoo located in a portion of the Coyote Point Recreation Area in San Mateo County. CuriOdyssey’s mission is to inspire love for science and curiosity about the world to create a brighter future. CuriOdyssey provides public benefits and services for San Mateo County children and families in the form of educational programming and hands-on science exhibits and access to wild animals. As a non-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, CuriOdyssey’s activities are generally limited to charitable, educational and scientific purposes. These activities have provided substantial benefits to the County and its residents for many years.
The storms earlier this year caused damage to locations and facilities across the County and have impacted CuriOdyssey. CuriOdyssey has been closed to the public since March 14, 2023 as a result of sustaining significant damage from severe weather events and storms. The storms damaged a power transformer serving CuriOdyssey’s facilities that must be repaired and trees in the southern portion of Coyote Point Recreation Area, which includes Grantee’s facilities, that must be cleared.
DISCUSSION:
CuriOdyssey’s recovery is critical to ensure the continued availability of its programs and its future services to the community.
In furtherance of these public interests and the County’s response to the severe weather events and their negative economic impacts, it is recommended that the Board authorize the County Executive or designee, to enter into an agreement (the “Agreement”) by which the County will provide a recovery grant to CuriOdyssey in the amount of $250,000. These funds may be used to cover CuriOdyssey’s lawful expenses as a Section 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. CuriOdyssey will report to the County before the conclusion of the term of the Agreement as to the expenses to which the funds were applied.
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the proposed resolution and the Agreement as to form.
EQUITY STATEMENT
The recovery grant will advance equity in San Mateo County by increasing the resilience of the educational and resources provided by CuriOdyssey on an inclusive basis to County residents. CuriOdyssey has made a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, including centering marginalized voices in its programming.
There are no anticipated negative equity impacts from the recovery grant.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is through December 31, 2023, for a recovery grant in an amount not to exceed $250,000. The funding for the grant will be provided through available General Fund sources within the FY 22-23 adopted budget.