Agenda Item Wording:
Agenda Item Wording:
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Conduct the second of two public hearings and approve amending the Measure N budget in FY 2021/22 to reallocate the $75,000 for youth grants to the Visalia Police Activities League (VPAL).
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Deadline for Action: 4/4/2021
Submitting Department: Police Department
Contact Name and Phone Number: Chief Jason Salazar, ext. 4215, jason.salazar@visalia.city; Captain Luma Fahoum, ext. 4103, luma.fahoum@visalia.city <mailto:luma.fahoum@visalia.city>; Financial Analyst Liz Ybarra, ext. 4250, liz.ybarra@visalia.city <mailto:liz.ybarra@visalia.city>
Department Recommendation:
Conduct the second of two public hearings and approve amending the Measure N budget in FY 2021/22 to reallocate the $75,000 for youth grants to the Visalia Police Activities League (VPAL).
Summary:
Because of the success of VPAL in connecting with services and programs for at-risk youth, staff is recommending that Measure N Youth Grant Funds of $75,000 be reallocated to the VPAL.
The Measure N Youth Grants are not codified as language within Measure N, they were a project submitted by staff to find constructive means to utilize the funding within Measure N that is required to be used towards at-risk youth programs. How those funds are expended are at the discretion of the City Council and the Measure N Oversight Committee.
Staff has determined that the Measure N Youth Grants have not been as successful and impactful towards reaching at-risk youth as was the intent of Measure N youth funding and that the Visalia Police Department is not well-situated to manage these types of grants. It is staff’s recommendation that those funds be redirected from the Measure N Youth Grants to VPAL Program. This program has a long history of providing services to at-risk youth in the City of Visalia and provides for better oversight of these Measure N funds. This change would have no impact on the existing Citizen Advisory Committee non-profit grants that are awarded annually to various organizations in the City of Visalia.
Background Discussion:
The VPAL was established in 1992 and was created to meet a need within the community to serve at-risk youth. Since the inception of VPAL, it was successfully provided programs and activities for kids from the ages of seven (7) to 17 to foster a bond with mutual trust and understanding between police officers and youth interactions in a non-confrontational setting. The effects of mentorship are beneficial for youth, both in the short and long-term, and communities have an opportunity to see a reduction of juvenile crime and delinquency. The program has also seen an increase in attendance, thus resulting in a reduction of gang violence. VPAL’s after-school programming aids in preventing truancy and increases graduation rates with academic aid. It expands youth’s horizons, exposing them to a world of beneficial alternative options for higher education. VPAL has established its headquarters as a safe place, significantly decreasing the youth in participating in vandalism, violence, and other crime-related activities.
Prior to COVID-19, VPAL has served over 3,500 children, annually, that were involved in many VPAL programs and activities. The VPAL organization is comprised of a nine (9) member Board of Directors. A Visalia Police Officer is dedicated and assigned to VPAL and has no paid staff. All donations and grants go directly to the programs and services for youth.
The Measure N ½ cent sales tax was approved by the voters in 2016, which raises approximately $10.8 million annually with the spending plan being submitted to Council and the Measure B Board for review and approval. The Measure N Plan allocates 10% for Maintenance and Emerging Needs and 2% of that is allocated for youth programs. The Police Department has been allocated $75,000 annually since 2018 to award grants to local non-profit youth group organizations with funding to assist with the organizations with their youth programs.
Fiscal Impact:
The change does not have a fiscal impact to the City.
Prior Council Action: On December 20, 2021, City Council approved to start the process.
Other: First public hearing was held on March 21, 2022. Captain Luma Fahoum presented the proposal to the Measure N Oversight Committee on February 24, 2022, and was approved.
Alternatives: To direct staff to develop and process a different alternative for use of this portion of the youth funds.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
Approve the amended Measure N Plan to reallocate the $75,000 for Youth Grants to the Visalia Police Activity League (VPAL).
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Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Attachments: None.