Item 1.B. Staff Report Allocate Fiscal Year 1999/2000 Community Grant FundsDATE:
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
MEETING DATE: 5/24/99
ITEM NO. pp!f
1.0.
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
May 13, 1999
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN MANAGER
ALLOCATE FISCAL YEAR 1999/2000 COMMUNITY GRANT FUNDS
RECOMMENDATION:
For information only.
BACKGROUND:
The Community Grant Program of the Community Services Department manages all Town grants. Most are allocated
through a competitive process; the Community Contributions are allocated directly by the Town Council. This report
focuses on the General Fund grants, called "Community Grants." Human services agency Community Grant applications
are reviewed by the Community Services Commission; the Arts Commission reviews arts, cultural, and educational
service agency applications. Both Commissions then make funding recommendations to the Council. The Commissions'
reports are included as Attachments 2 and 3. The Commissions' recommended allocations are included in the Preliminary
FY 1999-2000 Operating Budget, under Program 8040 of the Community Services Department. They are also included
as Attachment 1. Allocations for CDBG grants and Community Contributions are also included for your reference.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS:
The recommended action is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
FISCAL IMPACT:
All Community Grant allocations as shown in Attachment 1 are included in the Town's Preliminary FY 1999-2000
Operating Budget. All General Fund grants are expended from 8040-72xxx. CDBG Grants, approved by the Council
on April 5, are expended from 2219-72xxx.
Attachments:
1. Town of Los Gatos FY 1999/2000 Human Service Organization Funding Allocations
2. Community Services Commission report (with Exhibit A)
3. Arts Commission report (with Exhibit A)
4. Letter from Lee Fagot, Co -President, A Place for Teens
5. Letter from Bob Best, Director, Los Gatos/Saratoga Department of Community Education and Recreation
Distribution:
Community Services and Arts Commission members
FY 1999/2000 Community Grant applicants
RAF:JLL/
PREPARED BY:
Regina A. Falknlli`'i?y munity Services Director n:\csd\8040\00alloc.tcr
Reviewed by: Attorney Finance
Revised: 5/19/99 3:54 pm
Reformatted: 10/23/95
Attachment 1
Town of Los Gatos
FY 1999/2000 Human Service Organization Funding Allocations
1999/00 1999/00 1999/00
1999/00 Eval. Comm. CSC/AC Council
1998/99 Funding Funding Funding Adopted
Budgeted Request Recmnd Recmnd Allocation
CDBG
Catholic Charities/Ombudsman $ 7,720 $ 8,190 $ 7,720 $ 7,720 $ 7,720
Live Oak Adult Day Services $ 16,530 $ 20,000 $ 16,530 $ 16,530 $ 16,530
Next Door/Shelter Next Door $ - $ 10,000 $ - $ - $
SJSU/Health Place $ 4,730 $ 27,761 $ 4,524 $ 4,524 $ 4,524
Second Harvest/Brown Bag $ 3,600 $ 3,600 $ 3,600 $ 3,600 $ 3,600
CDBG Total $ 32,580 $ 69,551 $ 32,374 $ 32,374 $ 32,374
CDBG Allocation Cap $ 32,374 $ 32,374 $ 32,374 $ 32,374
Community Grants: Hum. Svc.
A Place for Teens $ 3,330 $ 8,800 $ 3,330 $ 3,330
Catholic Charities/Ombudsman $ 230 $ - $ $ -
Live Oak Senior Nutrition $ 28,600 $ 32,940 $ 28,600 $ 28,600
Next Door/Shelter Next Door $ - $ 10,000 $ 5,000 $ 10,000
SJSU/Health Place $ 12,000 $ 27,761 $ 12,230 $ 12,230
Second Harvest/Brown Bag $ 5,000 $ - $ - $ -
Teen Counseling Center $ 28,170 $ 28,170 $ 28,170 $ 28,170
Human Services Total
$ 77,330 $ 107,671 $ 77,330 $ 82,330 $
Human Services Cap $ 77,330 $ 77,330 $ 77,330 $ 77,330
Community Grants: Art/Edu.
Art Docents of Los Gatos
LG Community Concert Assn.
LG Museum Association*
Music in the Plaza
St. Luke's
The Photographic Guild
Youth Science Institute
$ 4,000 $ 6,000 $ 4,350 $ 4,350
$ 500 $ 1,000 $ 750 $ 750
$ 12,430 $
$ 1,570 $ $ $
$ $ 5,000 $ 770 $ 770
$ 500 $ 800 $ 500 $ 500
$ 1,000 $ 2,000 $ 1,200 $ 2,000
Art/Education Total
$ 20,000 $ 14,800 $ 7,570 $ 8,370 $
Art/Education Cap $ 20,000 $ 7,570 $ 7,570 $ 7,570 $ 7,570
5/19199 n:lcsdljennylcdbglallocatn.xls
Town of Los Gatos
FY 1999/2000 Community Contribution Allocations
1998-99 1999-00 1999-00
Budgeted Proposed Adopted
Community Contributions
Billy Jones Railroad - Soil Remediation $ 40,000 $ $
Los Gatos/Saratoga Rec. Dist. $ 5,000 $ - $
Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce $ 20,000 $ 20,000 $
LG Museum Association* $ - $ 12,430 $
K-CAT $ 31,000 $ 31,000 $
Discretionary $ 1,250 $ 450 $
Community Contribution Total $ 97,250 $ 63,880 $
* LGMA has been moved from Arts/Education competitive grant process to Community Contributions, due
to an anticipated revised lease agreement
5/19/99 n:\csd\jenny\cdbg\allocatn.xls
Attachment 2
MEMORANDUM
COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
To: Mayor and Town Council
From: Community Services Commission
Subject: FY 1999/2000 Community Grant Allocation Recommendation
Date: May 13, 1999
BACKGROUND
Summaries of all Human Services grant applications received for FY 1999/2000 are attached as
Exhibit B. There is $77,330 available for Community Grants to Human Services agencies in FY
1999/2000.
DISCUSSION
The Town received five applications from nonprofit agencies requesting Community Grant funding
under the Human Services category, for a total of $107,671. Next Door, Solutions to Domestic
Violence is the only applicant which has not previously received Community Grant funds.
Due to the large difference between funds requested and funds available, the Commission
recommends that A Place for Teens, Live Oak Senior Nutrition, and the Teen Counseling Center be
funded at FY 1998/99 levels. It further recommends that San Jose State be funded at its FY 1998/99
level, and an additional $230 to make up the difference between its FY 1998/99 and FY 1999/2000
CDBG funding. Regarding the new Next Door project, the Commission recommends that it be
allocated $5,000, which represents the balance of funds available. However, the Commission would
like to strongly urge the Council to budget another $5,000 to FY 1999/2000 Community Grants, and
allocate a total of $10,000 to Next Door.
EXHIBIT
A. Grant Application Summaries
n:\csd18040\00apscsc. mmo
exhibit A
Town of Los Gatos
FY 1999-2000 Community Grant Application Summary
Project: Improved Teen Center Operations/ Services Category : Human Services
Agency: A Place for Teens
P.O. Box 1476
Los Gatos, CA 95031
Aprille Flint, Program Director
(408) 395-5553
Funding:
Site: 4 New York Avenue
Los Gatos, CA 95030
FY 1999-2000
FY 1998-99
Community Grant funding amount
$8,800.00 (req.)
$3,330.00 (rec'd)
Unduplicated LG clients
1,800
2,200
Cost per year per client
$4.88
$1.51
Total program budget
$106,000.00
$99,500.00
Community Grant as % of total
8.3%
3.3%
Population Served: Middle and high-school teens including residents of Los Gatos, Saratoga,
Campbell, and surrounding communities.
Project Description: This program provides teens with a healthy place to study, conduct research,
use computers, listen to music, socialize, access recreational programs, attend workshops, and hold
meetings and events. The Teen Center is supervised, and drug and alcohol free.
Project Work Plan:
Direct Services: Teen Empowerment Program
Computer and Snack bar equipment
Expanded educational programming
Indirect Services: 100 referrals to Teen Counseling Center
55 referrals to Los Gatos High School Administration
45 referrals to other agencies
675 total information and referral contacts per year
FY 1998-99 Performance: A Place for Teens has not submitted any quarterly deliverables for FY
1998-99, so staff is not able to determine whether or not quarterly service goals have been met.
n:lcsd180401commgrnt.990
Town of Los Gatos
FY 1999-2000 Community Grant Application Summary
Project: Live Oak Senior Nutrition and Service Center Category: Human Services
Agency: Live Oak Senior Nutrition and Service Center
19 High School Court
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Deborah Kranefuss, MPA, PT
(408) 354-0707
Funding:
Site: (Site address same)
FY 1999-2000
FY 1998-99
Community Grant funding amount
$32,940.00 (req.)
$28,600 (rec'd.)
Unduplicated LG clients
363
505
Cost per year per client
$90.74
$56.63
Total program budget
$154,747.00
$154,061.00
Community Grant as % of total
21.3% (proj.)
18.6% (act.)
Population Served: Residents of Los Gatos and of the Greater West Valley area aged 60 and over.
Participants are primarily low and very -low income, and approximately 43% are disabled.
Project Description: This program provides daily nutritional meals, both home delivered and on -
site; transportation services to community resources; health education and screenings; and
recreational activities.
Project Work Plan:
Direct Services: 9538 on -site daily meals
502 Neighborhood Meals on Wheels
5271 day care meals
625 outreach safety checks
3012 one-way transportation to meal site
208 one-way transportation to community resources
303 daily nutrition education programs
Indirect Services: 750 information and referral calls
FY 1998-99 Performance: The Live Oak Senior Nutrition and Service Center continues to fulfill
its contractual obligation with the Town. All quarterly deliverables are turned in on time, and
quarterly service goals are met. Due to greater than expected reimbursement from Santa Clara
County, Live Oak has only requested a total of $8,866.00 from the Town for the first two quarters
of FY 1998-99.
n:\csd\8040\commgrnt.990
Town of Los Gatos
FY 1999-2000 Community Grant Application Summary
Project: The Shelter Next Door
Agency: Next Door, Solutions to Domestic Violence
1181 N. Fourth Street, Suite A
San Jose, CA 95112
Shawne Smith, Program Manager
(408) 279-7575
Funding:
Category : Human Services
Site: (Site address confidential)
FY 1999-2000
FY 1998-99
Community Grant funding amount
$10,000.00 (req.)
n/a
Unduplicated LG clients
45
n/a
Cost Cost per year per client
$222.22
n/a
Total program budget
$326,450.00
n/a
Community Grant as % of total
3.06% (prof.)
n/a
Population Served: Women and children who are victims of domestic violence. Program
participants are primarily very -low or low income.
Project Description: Next Door provides emergency shelter, food, clothing, transportation, case
management, counseling, and legal assistance services. Children are also provided tutoring and
recreational activities.
Project Work Plan:
Direct Services:
45 crisis counseling sessions on the telephone hotline
12 in -person crisis counseling sessions
24 individual/group counseling sessions
15 individual/group counseling sessions for children
15 parenting classes
48-day average shelter stay provided
3 violence intervention incidents at Valley Medical Center
8 legal assistance sessions
Indirect Services: 7,830 information calls received; 23,490 referrals made
1,000 brochures distributed
FY 1998-99 Performance: Not applicable, this is a new project. Next Door applied to the CDBG
program for these funds, and the Community Services Commission recommended that it be
considered instead for funding under the Community Grant program.
n:\csd\8040\commgmt.990
Town of Los Gatos
FY 1999-2000 Community Grant Application Summary
Project: The Health Place
Agency: San Jose State University Foundation
P.O. Box 720130
San Jose, CA 95172-0130
Dr. Jean Sullivan, Faculty, School of Nursing
(408) 924-3151
Funding:
Category : Human Services
Site: 208 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
FY 1999-2000
FY 1998-99
Community Grant funding amount
$27,761.00 (req.)
$12,000 (rec'd)
(and $4,370 CDBG, for
$16,730 total)
Unduplicated LG clients
347
120
Cost per year per client
$80.00
$100.00
Total program budget
$136,543.00
$134,073.00
Community Grant as % of total
20.33% (proj.)
8.95% (act.)
Population Served: Residents of Los Gatos aged 65 and over, primarily very -low income.
Project Description: San Jose State University nursing facility and students provide the following
services: home visits; blood pressure screening and monitoring; consultations to agencies, clients,
and caregivers; formal and informal educational programs; and information and referral.
Project Work Plan:
Direct Services: 650 home visits to frail, home -bound clients
850 blood pressure screenings
400 consultations with agencies, clients, and/or caregivers
19 educational programs
Indirect Services: 350 instances of information and referral
FY 1998-99 Performance: San Jose State University Foundation continues to fulfill its contractual
obligations with the Town. Though quarterly deliverables are not always turned in on time, quarterly
service goals are met or exceeded. San Jose State applies first to the CDBG program for these funds;
the Community Services Commission recommended $4,524 be funded by CDBG, and the remainder
be considered for funding under the Community Grant program.
n:lcsd180401commgmt.990
Town of Los Gatos
FY 1999-2000 Community Grant Application Summary
Project: Teen and Family Counseling Center Category: Human Services
Agency: Teen and Family Counseling Center
208 East Main street
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Pat Lake, Director of Administration
(408) 354-7648
Funding:
Site: (Site address same)
FY 1999-2000
I FY 1998-99
Community Grant funding amount
$28,170.00 (req.)
$28,170.00 (rec'd)
Unduplicated LG clients
198
233
Cost per year per client
$142.27
$120.90
Total program budget
$351,542.00
$301,965.00
Community Grant as % of total
8.0% (proj.)
9.33%
Population Served: Residents of the West Valley area of Santa Clara County. The majority of
clients are low and very -low income.
Project Description: This program provides long and short-term counseling and referral services
to Los Gatos teens and their families, including individual, couple, family, and group counseling.
It also provides peer counseling training and consultation to school personnel. Counselors have
completed or are working towards a master's degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling;
hours worked in the program count towards their state license requirements.
Project Work Plan:
Direct Services: 910 direct counseling sessions
8 group counseling sessions
Indirect Services: 100 instances of information and referral
700 contacts through outreach seminars, health fairs, and a newsletter
FY 1998-99 Performance: The Teen Counseling Center continues to fulfill its contractual
obligation with the Town. All quarterly deliverables are turned in on time, and quarterly service
goals are met or exceeded.
n:\csd\8040\commgrnt.990
Attachment 3
MEMORANDUM
COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
To: Mayor and Town Council
From: Arts Commission
Subject: FY 1999/2000 Community Grant Allocation Recommendation
Date: May 13, 1999
BACKGROUND
Summaries of all Arts/Education grant applications received for FY 1999/2000 are attached as
Exhibit A. There is $7,570 available for Community Grants to Arts/Education agencies in FY
1999/2000. This amount is substantially less than in FY 1998/99, because the $12,430 allocated to
the Los Gatos Museum Association has been moved from the Arts/Education category to the
Community Contributions category. Community Contributions are reviewed directly by the Town
Council.
DISCUSSION
The Town received five applications from nonprofit agencies requesting Community Grant funding
under the Arts/Education category, for a total of $14,800. St. Luke's is the only applicant which has
not previously received Community Grant funds. Music in the Plaza (MIP) is not requesting funds
this year. The Commission thinks that its program should not compete with community projects for
funding. It feels strongly that the Town should continue to support MIP, from the Community
Contributions category, at the same level it was funded last year.
The Committee recommends that St. Luke's be allocated $770, the cost of holding one concert. The
Committee further recommends that the Art Docents of Los Gatos and the Los Gatos Community
Concert Association be funded at a slight increase from FY 1998/99 levels, reflecting their increased
program costs. The Photographic Guild is recommended for funding at its FY 1998/99 level.
Regarding the Youth Science Institute project, the Committee recommends that it be allocated
$1,200, which represents the balance of funds available. However, the Committee would like to
strongly urge the Council to budget another $800 to FY 1999/2000 Community Grants, and allocate
a total of $2,000 to Youth Science Institute. This would allow Youth Science Institute to complete
the entire proposed binocular acquisition project.
EXHIBIT
A. Grant Application Summaries
/j 11
n:lcsd18040100apsart. mmo
Exhibit A
Town of Los Gatos
FY 1999-2000 Community Grant Application Summary
Project: Art Docent Program
Agency: Art Docents of Los Gatos, Inc.
17000 Roberts Road
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Patricia Weinberg, Program Coordinator
(408) 358-1185
Funding:
Category: Art / Education
Site: (Same as Agency)
FY 1999-2000
FY 1998-99
Community Grant funding amount
$6,000.00 (req.)
$4,000.00 (rec'd)
Unduplicated LG clients
5,430
5,133
Cost per year per client
$1.10
$0.78
Total program budget
$73,955
$76,840
Community Grant as % of total
8.1%
5.2%
Population Served: The primary population is students of the Los Gatos Union School District.
Students in other elementary schools located in Los Gatos, and Los Gatos adult residents are served
indirectly or on request.
Project Description: The Program provides:
• Age appropriate classroom presentations in art history, art criticism, and aesthetics for grades
K-8.
• Art technique workshops for grades 1-6.
• Annual Children's Art Show at Fisher Middle School featuring district students.
• Community art lectures and tours of Bay Area art museums.
Project Work Plan:
Direct Services: 500 art appreciation lessons for grades K-8
140 art technique workshops for grades 1-6
1 Annual Children's Art Show
6 art tours for adults
4 art lectures for adults
Indirect Services: 80-100 instances of information and referral
4 art Newsletters
8 Art Docents training classes
FY 1998-99 Performance: Art Docents of Los Gatos, Inc. continues to fulfill its contractual
obligations with the Town. Quarterly deliverables are turned in on time, and quarterly service goals
are met or exceeded.
n:\csd\8040\commgrnt.990
Town of Los Gatos
FY 1999-2000 Community Grant Application Summary'
Project: Student Introduction to Concert Series Category: Art / Education
Agency: Los Gatos Community Concert Association
20885 Wardell Road
Saratoga, CA 95070
Ronald Knapp, President
(408) 867-9501
Funding:
Site: (Site address same)
FY 1999-2000
FY 1998-99
Community Grant funding amount
$1,000 (req.)
$500.00 (rec'd.)
Unduplicated LG clients
100
50+
Cost per year per client
$10
$10 - 12
Total program budget
$20,800
$17,800
Community Grant as % of total
4.8% (proj.)
2.8% (act.)
Population Served: All music students of Los Gatos Schools are eligible to participate.
Project Description: Provides free tickets via the Los Gatos High School and Fisher Middle School
for concerts put on by Los Gatos Community Concert Association. Selection of students is at the
discretion of their teachers, who know the level of interest and achievement by their students.
Concerts are held at Los Gatos High School or the Los Gatos Methodist Church.
Project Work Plan:
Direct Services: 100 student tickets for 4 Concerts
Indirect Services: None
FY 1998-99 Performance: The Los Gatos Community Concert Association continues to fulfill its
contractual obligations with the Town.
n:lcsd180401commgrnt.990
Town of Los Gatos
FY 1999-2000 Community Grant Application Summary
Project: St. Luke's Concerts
Agency: St. Luke's Episcopal Church
20 University Avenue
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Richard Coulter, Program Manager
(408) 354-2195
Funding:
Category: Art / Education
Site: (Site address same)
FY 1999-2000
FY 1998-99
Community Grant funding amount
S5,000.00 (req)
n/a
Unduplicated LG clients
1,600
n/a
Cost per year per client
$3.13
n/a
Total program budget
$6,000
n/a
CDBG as % of total
83.3% (proj.)
n/a
Population Served: Residents of Los Gatos and surrounding communities.
Project Description: A series of 8 subsidized concerts and two other -funded concerts of classical
music. These events will include a variety of musical styles and program themes centered around
chamber music performances.
Project Work Plan:
Direct Services: 10 concerts
Indirect Services: 100 instances of information and referral.
FY 1998-99 Performance: Not applicable, this is a new project.
n:lcsd180401commgrnt.990
Town of Los Gatos
FY 1999-2000 Community Grant Application Summary
Project: Annual Photo Competition for High School students Category: Art / Education
Agency: Photographic Guild of Los Gatos
15900 Blossom Hill Road
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Joanne Brice, Assistant
(408) 356-9035
Funding:
Site: (Site address same)
FY 1999-2000
FY 1998-99
Community Grant funding amount
$800.00 (req.)
$500.00 (rec'd)
Unduplicated LG clients
(not given)
(not given)
Cost per year per client
n/a
n/a
Total program budget
$3000.00
$2,570.00
CDBG as % of total
26.7% (proj.)
19.5% (act.)
Population Served: High school students from Santa Clara Valley. During last year's competition,
979 entries were received, from 445 students representing 20 schools.
Project Description: Sponsor an annual competition for high school students enrolled in
photography classes. The Community Grant funds would be used for operational expenses, as all
private donations are used for prizes.
Project Work Plan:
Direct Services: 1 Annual Photo Competition Event
Indirect Services: none
FY 1998-99 Performance: The Photographic Guild continues to fulfill its contractual obligations
with the Town.
n;\csd\8040\commgrnt.990
Town of Los Gatos
FY 1999-2000 Community Grant Application Summary
Project: YSI Vasona Camp binoculars Category: Art / Education
Agency: Youth Science Institute
296 Garden Hill Drive
Los Gatos, CA 95032
Anne Dunham, Executive Director
(408) 356-4945
ndin:
Site: (Site address same)
FY 1999-2000
FY 1998-99
Community Grant funding amount
$2,000.00 (req.)
$1,000.00 (rec'd)
Unduplicated LG clients
233
233
Cost per year per client
$8.58
$4.29
Total program budget
$631,000
$631,000
Community Grant as % of total
0.32%
0.16%
Population Served: YSI Vasona program participants, who are youth from 3 years old through 7th
grade. Approximately 1,700 youth use the Vasona program each summer.
Project Description: Acquisition of 30-35 binoculars for YSI Vasona site. Vasona is a major
stopping point for birds on the Pacific Flyway. Binoculars would provide a wonderful opportunity
for children to learn to look at the natural world in a new way. YSI has already received enough
grant funds to purchase 10 binoculars for Vasona. The Community Grant funds would allow YSI
to purchase enough to have one for each child. Of the YSI sites, Vasona has the most participants.
FY 1998-99 Performance: The Youth Science Institute continues to fulfill its contractual obligation
with the Town of Los Gatos. Please note that the figures for FY 1999-2000 unduplicated Los Gatos
clients and total program budget are preliminary, pending completion of registration for this
summer's program.
n:\csd18040\commgrnt.990
Attachment 4
OFFICE OF THE
MAY 1 3 11
MAYOR & TOWN COW'
n Place for Teens
A Place for Teens, P.D. Box 1476, Los Gatos, CA 95031 • (408) 395-5553 • Fax (408) 395-5973 • www.APlaceforTeens.org
HONORARY DIRECTORS
Peggy Fleeting Jenkins
Hon. Norman Mineta
Brandon Silveria
Charlie and Lucy Wedemeyer
Leigh Weimers
Steve Wozniak
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Lee Fagot
(Co -President)
Linda Levenson
(Co -President)
David Nielsen
(Co -President, teen)
Taylor Henricks
(Vice President, teen)
Pam Poetsch
(Recording Secretary)
Mike Kane
(Co -Corresponding Secretary)
Adrienne Moberly-Vilaubi
(Co -Corresponding Secretary)
Linda Manry
(Treasurer)
Janet Anderson
Laurie Bialick
Cathy Cathey
John Campos
Steele Clarke
Barbra Drizin
Colleen Fuller
Carol Garnett
Kjerstin Gould
Jennifer Kane
Kristina McGuire
Maureen Perez
Gladie Rabitz
Laura Roussel
Gail Schwartz
Pritha Shivajii
Brandon Rockwell (senior)
Janet Greenfield (junior)
Dan Manry (junior)
Paul Marques (junior)
Sam McLellon (junior)
Colin Pappas (junior)
Brett 8ertocci (sophomore)
Heather Cisowski (sophomore)
Erin Gisler (sophomore)
Liora Levenson (sophomore)
Darci Palmer (sophomore)
Annie Pearl (sophomore)
Jennifer Talesfore (sophomore)
Derek Smith (sophomore)
Adriana Anavitarte (freshman)
Asha Shivajii (freshman)
Natasha Wilder (freshman)
MIDDLE SCHOOL REPS
Nadine Drizin-Toren
Chloe Wilder
DIRECTOR
Aprille Flint
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Paula Harris
Los Gatos Town Council
110 E. Main Street
Los Gatos, California 95031
May 11, 1999
Re: Request for funding, A PLACE FOR TEENS
Dear Mayor Hutches and Town Councilmembers,
While we are appreciative of the $3300 grant to our organization, we have been informed
that this is the total amount designated for APFT next year as well through the
Community Services Commission. However, in the current year's budget the Community
Services Commission also allocated $5000 to the Recreation Department which was
earmarked to teen programming, and we were able to collaborate with the Rec. Dept. to
provide the programming at our facility. I am writing on behalf of A Place For Teens to
urge you to find a way to at least match the current year's total budget allocation of $8300
to teen programs, rather than reduce next year's total allocation by $5000 since the Rec.
Dept. is not applying for such funds and none apparently are proposed for such a use. We
were quite surprised The Community Services Commission does not have funding of at
least this year's level to support teen programming; $3300 to A Place For Teens and
$5000 to the Recreation Dept. targeted for teens. $3300 represents approximately only
4% of our budget, the lowest percentile of any of the organizations the Commission
supports. And we are using our own facility for the programming.
This reduction is contrary to the needs demonstrated by the growing size of our teen
population, evidenced by changing town demographics and increased enrollment in the
middle school and high school. The need for providing positive, supervised activities for
teens, is further evidenced by a 47% increase in teen arrests last year in Los Gatos, and a
growing disgruntlement voiced by the town teens in their schools, at athletic events and
meetings where they are asking for some help. The need is shown in the media daily.
Hundreds of volunteer hours have been put in by various groups in town to provide
programs for teens, including CASA, PTSA, and others. Presently, more effort is
exercised in fund raising than to manage the programming we are able to provide (at very
low cost) for the kids in our community. Clearly, funding is needed to put in place on-
going programs that enrich kids, attract them to activities that keep them out of harm's
way, and help them become good citizens. Volunteerism can only go so far. The lack of
greater direct financial support from the town government has had a negative effect on our
ability to raise funds from private organizations that provide grants. It can be argued also
that the very limited financial support from the town government has had a negative
impact on our ability, and that of other teen focused organizations, to recruit new
volunteers and maintain the energy of the cadre of those who do invest so much time.
Comments more recently from potential volunteers and fenders ask what is the town
contributing. They want to see that Los Gatos is a little more self reliant and takes this
responsibility as seriously as they do.
Significant effort is also put into leveraging other resources in town , and this last year several events
were the results of that kind of collaboration: 5th Quarter Pizza and music after football games with
CASA, computer tutoring with the Rec. Dept., and scholastic tutoring for Los Gatos kids at our
facility with the San Jose YMCA, and a recent Teen/Adult Forum on teen violence and local issues
conducted with the Teen and Family Counseling Center.
We intend to continue this cooperation in the future. But, we need your support also. The
investment in teens today will pay off to Los Gatos - your commitment will have an exponential
growth, increasing our ability to attract more volunteers, more fenders and most importantly, teens to
programming that will enrich their lives, divert them from risky behavior, and add to the overall
quality of life for Los Gatos.
PIease understand we are not ungrateful, but we are in need of additional support. It appears to me
that commitment of town government to it's youth is a clear message that serves us all, especially in
light of recent tragedies. And we need greater commitment from our town leaders. In an open
discussion this week teens asked school and church leaders, as well as their parents, for a show of
support from town government While I appreciate the restraints that guide some of your decisions, I
also ask you to look at the changing needs of the town, and allocate your limited resources as
investments, and commit to teen programming at least to the level of last year, $8300 to A Place For
Teens.
Lee Fagot, Co -President
Attachment 5
LOS GATOS-SARATOGA DEF. ATMENT OF COMMUNITY EDU ,TION AND RECREATION
123 EAST MAIN STREET
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA 95030
PHONE: (408) 354-8700
FAX: (408) 395-3828
May 18, 1999
Honorable Jan Hutchins, Mayor
Town Council Members
Town of Los Gatos
P.O. Box 949
Los Gatos, Ca. 95031
Dear Mayor Hutchins and Town Council Members:
Bob Best, Director
❑ Adult Education
❑ Recreation
❑ School Enrichment
OFFICE OF THE ❑ Summer Schools
MAY 1 19994
MAYOR & TOWN COUNr
I am writing this letter in regard to the $5000.00 the Town of Los Gatos generously granted our
Department this fiscal year to provide teen programming in our community. As you know we
have not requested this funding again for next year. However, it should not diminish the
importance we believe should be placed on funding for teen programs in our community. The
funds provided by the Town are being well spent, and will provide additional opportunities for
the youth of our community.
I recognize there are many organizations in the community needing funding for youth programs,
and any support the Council can continue giving is appreciated by the entire community. In view
of the national attention created recently with the tragedy in Colorado, the need in this community
for worthwhile teen opportunities, and the fact that we have been working with A Place for Teens
regarding the current funding provided by the Town, I would like to ask for your consideration to
allocate additional funding to A Place For Teens for programming purposes. I believe in the
importance of the funding going directly to benefit the teens themselves, and these funds would
be a sound investment on the part of the Town of Los Gatos if funding can be provided for
programming purposes only to benefit the youth.
I do not wish to make judgments relating to the need of any one organization over another
regarding funding from the Town. There are many such organizations in the community that
make valuable contributions to the youth. My sole purpose by writing this letter to you and the
Council is to suggest that if it is possible to provide funding in a way that meets the requirements
of the Town, A Place For Teens would be a worthwhile organizations to receive this additional
funding.
Sincerely,
Bob Best, Director
Community Education and Recreation
Los Gatos -Saratoga
High School District
A Joint Powers Department
Los Gatos Union
School District
Saratoga Union
School District