Council Meeting: 9/24/96 Santa Monica, CA
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Approval of Grant Allocations to Legal Aid Foundation of
Los Angeles (LAFLA) and Santa Monica College (SMC)
INTRODUCTION
This report requests that the City Council 1) approve allocation of
funds to the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) for the
purpose of enhancing existing legal services to low-income tenants
and landlords residing in Santa Monica and the Santa Monica College
(SMC) Pico Partnership to provide educational, employment and
counseling support services to low-income Santa Monica youth
pursuing academic and career goals at SMC; and, 2) authorize the
City Manager to negotiate and execute contracts with the
recommended grantees.
BACKGROUND
During the FY 1996-97 budget discussion on June 25, 1996, the City
Council appropriated funds in the amount of $115,000 for expanded
legal services to low-income tenants and landlords residing in
Santa Monica in response to an increase in need for court and
administrative representation. Additionally, the City Council
appropriated funds in the amount of $140,000 for employment and
support services for "at-risk", low-income youth residing in Santa
Monica who, otherwise, might not pursue a college education.
The allocation of these funds was contingent upon the completion of
funding applications submitted by LAFLA and SMC detailing their
program design, target population, service levels and program
outcomes. Based on a review of these funding applications, City
Council requested that a final recommendation for allocating funds
to LAFLA and SMC be brought back by City staff for final approval.
DISCUSSION
Funding applications were submitted by LAFLA and SMC and reviewed
by City staff in conjunction with representatives from the City
Attorney's Office, Rent Control and the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified
School District. Based on this review, City staff recommend
$95,833 (10-month proration of the appropriated $115,000) for Legal
Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) and $140,000 for Santa Monica
College (SMC) effective September 1, 1996 through June 30, 1997. An
additional $19,167 may be available to LAFLA in FY 1996-97 for one-time program and facility start-up costs contingent upon an
approved budget. Specific funding recommendations are as follows:
LEGAL AID FOUNDATION OF LOS ANGELES (LAFLA) - Tenant-Landlord
Special Grant
Recommended FY 1996-97 Funding Level: $95,833 (10-month pro-rated)
Program Description: As of September 1, 1996, LAFLA is providing
brief services and full representation in administrative and court
proceedings to an additional 200 low-income tenants residing in
Santa Monica and vouchers to low-income landlords for obtaining
services with an attorney of their choice. LAFLA is also providing
expanded information and assistance on tenant/landlord issues to
Santa Monica residents through community education workshops and
presentations. LAFLA will maximize its service delivery to clients
through the development of an effective pro bono service delivery
system.
The recommended FY 1996-97 funding level represents a 10-month
proration of the $115,000 currently appropriated and assumes that
these expanded services will be provided on an ongoing 12-month
basis in FY 1997-98. City staff will monitor and evaluate these
new services in FY 1996-97 and will bring back a recommendation for
continued funding in FY 1997-98 based on this review.
LAFLA is eligible for up to an additional $19,167 for one-time
program and facility start-up costs including, but not limited to,
funds to develop special outreach and educational materials and
office redesign.
Program Requirements: Proposed FY 1996-97 program requirements
include: 1) to contribute a 25% minimum direct cash match to this
Santa Monica program; and 2) to allocate City grant funds for
direct program costs only.
SANTA MONICA COLLEGE (SMC) - Pico Partnership Program
Recommended FY 1996-97 Funding Level: $140,000
Program Description: As of September 1, 1996, Santa Monica College
is providing outreach, personal and academic counseling, tutoring,
financial aid guidance and assistance, University Transfer Program
Services, job placement/career counseling, employment stipends, and
mentoring to 50 unduplicated, low-income Santa Monica "at-risk"
youth who, otherwise, might not pursue a college education.
Virginia Avenue Park staff, in partnership with SMC, provides
outreach and recruitment services targeting youth from the Pico
Neighborhood of Santa Monica.
The Pico Partnership program is being offered on a 12-month basis
in partnership with staff at Virginia Avenue Park. SMC provides
direct program services to the targeted youth during a 10-month
academic year. The FY 1996-97 funding level therefore represents
the full appropriation of $140,000. City staff will monitor and
evaluate program services in FY 1996-97 and will bring back a
recommendation for continued funding in FY 1997-98 based on this
review.
Program Requirements: Proposed FY 1996-97 program requirements
include: 1) to contribute a 25% minimum direct cash match to this
program; and 2) to allocate City grant funds for direct program
costs only.
BUDGET AND FINANCIAL IMPACT
All recommended funding levels reflect funding beginning September
1, 1996 through June 30, 1997. Funds are currently appropriated
in the City's FY 1996-97 Adopted Budget and are proposed for
allocation accordingly:
Agency/Program Recommended Account No.
Amount FY 1996-97
LAFLA - Tenant/ $95,833 01-400-262-75010-6523-16011
Landlord Special
Grant
Legal Services
One-Time Grant $19,167 01-400-262-75010-6525-16011
SMC-
Pico-Partnership $140,000 01-400-262-75010-6230-15860
RECOMMENDATION
City staff recommend that the City Council: 1) allocate funding
to Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles in the amount of $95,833
for enhanced tenant/landlord services to Santa Monica residents
and Santa Monica College in the amount of $140,000 for employment
and support services to "at-risk" youth residing in the Santa
Monica; 2) authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute
contracts with each organization identified above; and 3)
authorize the City Manager to negotiate and allocate up to
$19,167 to Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles for one-time
program and facility start-up costs contigent upon a budget
approved by City staff.