Community Groups Help GT Grow with Possible Funding

Requests for funding from four applicants operating in Grand Terrace to help grow their programs and benefit the community are now headed to the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors for consideration of approval next month. The Grand Terrace City Council on Tuesday, Feb. 24, unanimously approved applications made by the City of Grand Terrace Code Enforcement division, the San Bernardino County Library Grand Terrace branch, Family Services Association and The REC Center for a total $48,456 in Community Development Block Grant (CBDG) funds to be forwarded for consideration by the Board of Supervisors at a public hearing scheduled for April 21. The grant funds are available to city programs and community groups who meet certain eligibility requirements through a Federally-funded CBDG program in which Grand Terrace participates. Programs are eligible for funding if they either benefit low- and moderate-income persons; help eliminate blight; and/or meet an urgent community need. This year, Grand Terrace was allocated $48,456 to delegate between eligible applicants. This amount was based on 2013 population estimates and poverty and overcrowded housing counts, staff reports state. Five applicants requested a total of $57,000 in funds. Two eligible applications were for new programs, including a first-time applicant, The REC Center. The city’s code enforcement division requested $22,000 to cover enhanced code enforcement in identified CBDG census areas, including increased area patrol and blight elimination; the Grand Terrace branch library requested $10,000 to continue funding literacy education programs; Family Services Association requested $5,000 for a rent/mortgage assistance program to help low- and moderate-income families, as well as requesting $10,000 to continue meal service programs at the Grand Terrace Senior Center and home meal delivery for local seniors; and The REC Center requested $10,000 to help fund recreation, education and creative arts programs to Grand Terrace youth. Because the city was limited to making recommendations for only four applicants, and because the total requested funds exceeded the city's allocation amount by $3,544, staff recommended the city council approve funding recommendations as such: $21,114 to the City of Grand Terrace; $9,114 to the Grand Terrace branch library; $9,114 to Family Services Association for its senior meal program; and $9,114 to The REC Center. Family Services Program Administrator Tom Donahue explained that over 225 seniors a year are served by the program at a cost of $2,000 per senior per year. "Through your support, this will enable us to not have to institute a wait list. We've seen six percent grown in years annually. We expect to serve 690,000 meals versus the 650,000 meals served last year," he said. "We're here to serve your community." Pastor Andy McRae from Azure Hills Church, a board member with The REC Center, spoke on behalf of the services The REC Center provides. "I've seen the wonderful flow of young people who come in through our programs," McRae said. "We want to continue serving the interests of youth and their families." Jody Barnett, a local real estate agent, expressed concern that if funds were granted to The REC Center they would be used to fund programs at the center’s Bloomington branch. The REC Center owner Jennifer Araiza responded that as per funding requirements, the funds would only be used at the Grand Terrace location. Councilmember Jackie Mitchell proposed that the council approve funding in the amount of $21,114 to the city; approve $10,000 for the Grand Terrace branch library; and approve $8,671 each for Family Services Association and The REC Center, but this suggestion was not supported by Councilmembers Bill Hussey and Doug Wilson or Mayor Pro Tem Sylvia Robles or Mayor Darcy McNaboe. Mitchell said despite her suggestion being unpopular with her colleagues, she was happy with how the money was proposed by staff to be allocated amongst the four applicants and staff's recommendation being supported by the council. As such, the council voted unanimously to recommend funding for these four applicants as per staff's recommendation.