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YES, DIRECTOR.WELCOME, UH, WELCOME TO THE BOARD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7TH, 2024, BEGINNING AT 10 33.
THE MEETING IS NOW OPEN, UM, AND DIRECTOR WASPY IS ATTENDING REMOTELY TODAY.
SO I NEED TO ASK WHETHER THERE ARE ANY INDIVIDUALS 18 YEARS OR OLDER WHO ARE PRESENT WITH YOU IN THE ROOM TODAY.
[Roll Call]
OUR CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLE? YES.DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER ALVAREZ HERE.
TODAY'S MEETING IS HELD PURSUANT TO THE BROWN ACT, WE ARE PROVIDING LIVE AUDIO AND VIDEO STREAMING.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO MAKE A PUBLIC, UH, COMMENT, CAN DO SO ONE VIA LIVE ZOOM TWO BY SUBMITTING AN EMAIL OR THREE LEAVING A VOICEMAIL.
THIS INFORMATION IS NOTED ON OUR AGENDA, AND IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE MEETING PROCEDURES, WE WILL BEGIN.
[Approval of Minutes]
FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS IS TO APPROVE OUR MINUTES FROM LAST TIME.COULD I GET A, IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, COULD I PLEASE GET A MOTION BY ONE OF THE DIRECTORS? I WILL MOVE THAT SECOND.
UM, OPPOSED? AND NO ABSTENTIONS.
SO, AND ALSO THAT WAS A MOTION BY DIRECTOR CORBETT AND A SECOND BY DIRECTOR WASPY.
MADAM CLERK, DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENTS? NOT ON THE AGENDA FOR TODAY.
SO WHEN WE HAVE NO ACTION ITEMS, SO WE'LL
[Informational Items]
GO DIRECTLY TO OUR INFORMATIONAL ITEMS. UM, THE FIRST ONE BEING THE REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2023.THEY, IN THE YEAR END REPORT ON THE REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION CONTRIBUTIONS TO EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
UM, UM, PRESIDENT ECHOES DIRECTORS, UH, JIM LANDRETH.
UH, I'M SUSAN SCHU, ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.
I'M VERY PLEASED, UH, TO BE HERE THIS MORNING AND TO INTRODUCE LAUREN BERNSTEIN, OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION, AS THEY SHARE, UH, A YEAREND REVIEW FOR 2023.
UH, AND THE FOUNDATION'S INCREDIBLE SUPPORT, UH, PROGRAM SUPPORT AND ITS FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS, UH, TO THE PARK DISTRICT.
UH, AND CERTAINLY ITS MISSION TO FUNDRAISE FOR US AND TO REALLY INCREASE ACCESS FOR ALL, FOR OUR MANY PARKS IN THIS ENTIRE SYSTEM.
UM, SO AGAIN, LET ME INTRODUCE LAUREN BERNSTEIN TO SHARE THE WONDERFUL NEWS FROM LAST YEAR.
I'M REALLY PLEASED TO BE HERE TO, UH, SHARE OUR 2023 YEAR IN REVIEW.
I CAME IN ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH THE YEAR, SO I DO WANNA THANK, UH, A GM SUSAN CHU FOR SERVING AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FOUNDATION FOR THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR.
WE ALSO HAVE HERE TODAY OUR BOARD PRESIDENT HOLLY POTTER, AND THEN OUR STAFF, MICHELLE RA, KIRSTEN FURMAN, AND ANNA HUANG.
SO, THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING.
AND I KNOW WE HAVE SOME INR FOLKS IN THE ROOM TOO, SO I'M REALLY HAPPY THAT YOU'RE ALL HERE.
UM, SO LET ME GO AHEAD AND SHARE SCREEN AND WE CAN GET STARTED.
THE BIG REVEAL, UH, IS THAT WE'RE VERY PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT, UH, WE HAVE RAISED, UH, $2.27 MILLION, WHICH IS 13% ABOVE OUR GOAL, UM, WITH ADDITIONAL E-C-C-H-C CONTRIBUTIONS THAT WE'LL TALK ABOUT LATER.
UM, OUR TOTAL REVENUE WAS ABOUT 2.6, AND SO, UH, WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF THAT.
YOU CAN SEE FROM THE NUMBER OF GIFTS, 16,000 GIFTS THAT THE FOUNDATION IS PROCESSING A LOT OF DONATIONS ALL YEAR LONG.
IT'S A VERY HIGH VOLUME OF GIFTS, UM, FOR OUR STAFF SIZE.
AND ALSO, UH, WE HAVE, UH, OVER 12,000 DONORS AND MEMBERS, AND THAT'S A, UH, A BIG
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PORTION OF THE PUBLIC THAT, UM, NOT ONLY LOVE OUR PARKS, BUT LOVE THEM SO MUCH THAT THEY WANNA GIVE BACK AND SUPPORT THEM.SO, UH, WE HAVE A WIDE BASE OF SUPPORT, UH, AND IT'S REALLY EXCITING.
SOME OF OUR FUNDRAISING HIGHLIGHTS, UH, WE RAISED ABOUT LAST YEAR, UH, A MILLION, OVER A MILLION DOLLARS, UH, FROM OUR MEMBERSHIP REVENUE AND MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM, $111,000 FROM INDIVIDUAL AND CORPORATE MATCHING, UM, 111,000 FROM GRANTS AS WELL.
OUR FUNDRAISING APPEALS, WE DO TWO A YEAR.
UM, JUST COMING FROM A LOT OF DIFFERENT OTHER NONPROFITS.
I KNOW THAT THESE NUMBERS ARE EXTREMELY IMPRESSIVE.
IT'S A REALLY HIGH RESPONSE RATE.
UM, WE RAISED OVER $237,000 FROM BOTH APPEALS.
UH, THE AVERAGE GIFT SIZE IS HIGH.
RESPONSE RATE IS HIGH GIVEN THE NUMBER OF FOLKS THAT WE SEND THESE OUT TO.
AND AGAIN, JUST SHOWS HOW MUCH, UH, THE PUBLIC AND OUR MEMBERS AND DONORS REALLY LOVE THE DISTRICT.
SO OUR MEMBERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS, WE HAVE ABOUT 12,200 ACTIVE MEMBERS.
WE HAVE MEMBERSHIPS AT A LOT OF DIFFERENT LEVELS, AND WE HAVE 552, UH, MEMBERS WHO CHOOSE TO GIVE ABOVE AND BEYOND THE MEMBERSHIP FEE.
UM, AND WE HAVE A GIFT OF MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM WHERE YOU CAN GIFT MEMBERSHIPS TO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY ON THE HOLIDAYS, MOTHER'S DAY, FATHER'S DAY, AND, AND ANY OTHER HOLIDAY.
AND THEN AN 83% RENEWAL RATE, WHICH IS EXTREMELY HIGH.
UM, SO THAT'S A, A, OUR MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM IS REALLY, UH, A JEWEL OF THE FOUNDATION, AND I KNOW THAT THE RESIDENTS WHO LIVE IN ALAMEDA AND CONTRA COSTA COUNTIES, UM, REALLY ENJOY BEING PART OF THIS PROGRAM AND FEELING CONNECTED, FEELING A SENSE OF BELONGING, AND BEING ABLE TO GIVE BACK TO THE PARKS THAT THEY ENJOY SO MUCH EVERY DAY.
SOME OF OUR GRANT HIGHLIGHTS ARE, UH, FROM 2023, OUR PG AND E KAISER, REI, WESTERN STATES PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION, CAL FIRE, STATE OF COUNCIL, OAKLAND ATHLETICS, AND BERNARD OCHER.
UM, A LOT OF THESE ON HERE ARE, ARE GIFTS THAT, THAT COME FROM CORPORATIONS, AND WE HAVE BOARD MEMBER REPRESENTATION ON THE FOUNDATION BOARD.
AND SO WE JUST REALLY WANT TO THANK OUR FOUNDATION BOARD MEMBERS FOR CONNECTING US TO THESE GREAT CORPORATE OPPORTUNITIES.
OUR PLAN GIVING PROGRAM IS EXTREMELY ROBUST.
UM, A LEGACY ORGANIZATION LIKE THE REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION IS, UM, A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE LIKE TO INCLUDE AND, AND LEAVE BEHIND THEIR LEGACY IN THE FORM OF A GIFT TO THE PARKS.
UM, AND SO THIS JUST GOES TO SHOW IT'S NOT SOMETHING WE CAN ACTIVELY SOLICIT FOR OR FUNDRAISE FOR, BUT, UM, THE FACT THAT THIS COMES, THAT EVERY YEAR WE'RE RECEIVING GIFTS FROM PEOPLE WHO THOUGHT OF US AND LEFT US IN THEIR WILL OR TRUST, UM, AGAIN, JUST GOES TO SHOW HOW MUCH PEOPLE REALLY LOVE OUR PARKS.
ANOTHER THING THAT I WANTED TO POINT OUT ABOUT OUR ESTATE PLANNING SEMINARS IS THAT THESE ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
SO IT'S NOT ONLY A WAY FOR PEOPLE TO REMEMBER REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION AND THEIR WILL OR TRUST, BUT IT'S ALSO A WAY FOR THE PUBLIC TO HAVE FREE ACCESS TO INFORMATION ABOUT PLANNING.
UM, THEIR, IS THEIR ESTATE PLANS AND CREATING THEIR WILLS AND TRUST FROM VOLUNTEERS WHO ARE ATTORNEYS AND CPAS.
AND IT'S A REALLY RARE AND UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC TO HAVE ACCESS TO THAT SORT OF, UH, INFORMATION THAT'S OFTEN HARD TO GET TO.
I KNOW THAT YOU ALL PROBABLY ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE EAST CONTRA COSTA HABITAT CONSERVANCY ENDOWMENT FUND.
UH, WE MANAGE THE FUND, THE REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION MANAGES THE FUND.
UM, ALL THE FUNDS ARE INVESTED IN OUR UBS FINANCIAL SERVICES ACCOUNT, AND WE CREATED A NEW INVESTMENT POLICY LAST YEAR TO UPDATE IT AS IS, UH, STANDARD PRACTICE EVERY COUPLE OF YEARS.
AS THE MARKETS CHANGE AND THE ECONOMY CHANGES, WE LIKE TO UPDATE THE INVESTMENT POLICY TO MAKE SURE THAT, UM, WE'RE WE HAVE GOOD FISCAL OVERSIGHT AND THAT WE'RE GETTING THE BEST RETURNS WE CAN.
UM, SO IF YOU LOOK, THE, THE BIG HIGHLIGHT IS THAT THERE'S A 23% FUND BALANCE INCREASE.
NOW, THIS IS DUE TO CONTRIBUTIONS OF 322,000, BUT ALSO, UM, AN EXCELLENT MARKET CONDITIONS AND INVESTMENT RETURNS OF 1.2, UM, WHICH IS REALLY EXCITING.
UH, SOMETHING THAT'S NOT SHOWN IN THESE NUMBERS, BECAUSE THIS IS A 2023 RECAP, IS THAT THE FUND BALANCE IS NOW, UM, INCREASED BY A HALF A MILLION DOLLARS AS OF TODAY BECAUSE THEY DID SEND IN CONTRIBUTIONS IN JANUARY AND NOW TO THE VERY EXCITING PART OF WHERE IS ALL THIS FUNDRAISING GOING.
AND, UH, WE'RE JUST REALLY, REALLY PROUD TO SUPPORT ALL THE AMAZING PROGRAMS THAT E-B-R-P-D PUTS ON, UM, ABOVE AND BEYOND, I THINK, WHAT A LOT OF PARK DISTRICTS DO OR NEED TO DO.
UM, THE FACT THAT WE HAVE SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT THE DISTRICT ON THESE PROGRAMS, UM, IS REALLY EXCITING TO US.
AND WE HAVE AMAZING PARTNERS AT THE DISTRICT.
SO WE GIVE ABOUT, UH, $557,000 IN AN UNRESTRICTED GRANT.
OUR SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORT INCLUDES, UH, PROJECTS AT SPECIFIC PARKS OR DESIGNATED FUNDS FOR
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VERY SPECIFIC PROJECTS.THAT'S ABOUT 210,000 OPERATING PROGRAM SUPPORT AT 380,000 INCLUDES, UM, THE ANNUAL GRANTS THAT, THAT ARE MOSTLY IN THE INTERPRETATION OF RECREATION DEPARTMENT, AQUATICS, SOME STEWARDSHIP, UM, AND THESE ARE GRANTS THAT E-B-R-P-D STAFF APPLY FOR EACH YEAR TO RUN THEIR PROGRAMS. AND THEN WE GIVE 92,000 TO CAMPER ROYAL FOR THEIR OUTDOOR EDUCATION CAMP AND SCHOLARSHIPS.
I DID A SITE VISIT THERE, AND IT'S REALLY AMAZING WHAT THEY'RE DOING, AND THEY'RE BRINGING THOUSANDS OF KIDS THERE EVERY YEAR.
THIS IS THE MOST, UH, THE HIGHEST COUNT OF, UH, FOLKS THAT WE'VE SERVED.
11,500 KIDS, YOUTH AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE SERVED THROUGH OUR FUNDED PROGRAMS. AND SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED THAT THAT NUMBER CONTINUES TO INCREASE.
I WANTED TO JUST GO OVER QUICKLY SOME OF THE IMPACT AREAS THAT WE FUND AND THE, THE TYPE OF WORK THAT WE'RE DOING.
SO, AQUATICS AND PUBLIC SAFETY INCLUDES AQUATIC, AND YOU MAY HAVE HEARD OF SOME OF THESE PROGRAMS. AQUATIC ADVENTURE CAMP, UM, WATER SAFETY CAMPS, UH, SWIM LESSONS.
UH, WE ALSO FUND A THREE YEAR DROWNING STUDY PREVENTION PROGRAM.
WE'VE SECURED 150,000 LAST YEAR FOR TWO FUELS REDUCTION AREAS, UH, WHICH WERE COMPLETED, UM, AND LOOK REALLY GOOD AND KIND OF, UH, COORDINATE WITH ALL OF THE WORK THAT THE DISTRICT IS DOING ON FIRE PREVENTION AND THEN SUPPORTED THE PUBLIC SAFETY INAUGURAL NATIONAL NIGHT OUT.
IN TERMS OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION OR OUR INTERPRETATION PROGRAMS, UH, WE'RE SERVING THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS, UH, THROUGH THEIR SCHOOL PROGRAMS, SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS, AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS. UM, I HAD THE CHANCE TO VISIT THE EXPLORER WATERSHED AND REDWOOD REGIONAL, AND IT WAS REALLY AMAZING.
THE MOBILE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAD THEM DOING SCAVENGER HUNTS, IDENTIFYING CERTAIN PLANTS, UH, AND THEN I, EVEN ON MY WAY, I WAS WALKING IN, SAW THAT HAPPENING AND THEN WALKING OUT AND ALL THE STUDENTS WERE SEATED KIND OF AWAY FROM EACH OTHER AND MEDITATING AND CONNECTING WITH NATURE IN THAT WAY.
AND JUST THINKING IF WE ALL HAD THAT OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT WHEN WE WERE KIDS, UH, HOW THINGS WOULD LOOK TODAY.
AND, AND IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO THE FOUNDATION TO BE CREATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF CLIMATE STEWARDS.
OUR RECREATION PROGRAMS. WE SUPPORT THE VASCO CAVES, TOUR BOATING AND FISHING SCHOLARSHIPS, TEEN AC UH, ECO ACTION WEEK, UH, AND VETERANS FISHING DAY.
SO YOU CAN SEE IT'S JUST A, A REALLY WIDE VARIETY OF PUBLIC PROGRAMS. AND THEN FOR OUR PUBLIC OUTREACH, MULTICULTURAL WELLNESS WALKS, UM, COMMUNITY OUTDOOR OUTREACH OUTDOOR PROGRAM.
AND THEN WE DO A LOT OF THE PARKS PRESCRIPTION PROGRAMS. WE HELP FUND THOSE WHERE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS CAN, IN SOME WAY OR ANOTHER, PRESCRIBE TIME IN NATURE TO THEIR, TO HELP THAT THEIR PATIENTS, MOSTLY YOUTH HEAL.
AND OF COURSE, WE'RE VERY PROUD TO SUPPORT THE LAST YEAR, THE 30TH ANNUAL TRAILS CHALLENGE, WHICH WE GET OVER 10,000 PARTICIPANTS.
I'M PERSONALLY REALLY, REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS PROGRAM AND ITS POTENTIAL.
I THINK IT'S LIKE ONE OF THE DISTRICT'S BEST PUBLIC OUTREACH PROGRAMS IN PROVIDING ACCESS TO DIFFERENT PARKS.
I KNOW EVEN FOR ME, SOMEONE WHO GOES HIKING A LOT, I'M EXPLORING SO MANY DIFFERENT PARKS THAT I MAYBE WOULDN'T HAVE GONE TO.
UM, AND I THINK IT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE TO FEEL COMFORTABLE SHOWING UP AT A TRAIL AND DOING THE TRAIL, KNOWING HOW LONG IT IS, HOW HARD IT WILL BE, UM, AND HAVING SOME PRE-PLANNED HIKES TO GO ON.
I THINK IT, IT COULD REALLY INCENTIVIZE PEOPLE TO GET TO THE PARKS IN TERMS OF STEWARDSHIP.
UM, A LOT OF OUR MEMBERS AND DONORS CARE A LOT ABOUT STEWARDSHIP AND CONSERVATION, AND SO WE SUPPORT THE FERAL PIG MANAGEMENT STUDY, THE FERAL CAT MANAGEMENT PARTNERSHIP, AND THE GOLDEN EAGLE MONITORING RESEARCH.
OF COURSE, ACCESS FOR ALL IS OUR MISSION STATEMENT.
IT UNDERPINS EVERYTHING THAT WE DO.
AND THE FOUNDATION'S VERY FOCUSED ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION.
UH, SOMETHING THAT WAS REALLY EXCITING LAST YEAR WAS WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME REVIEWING THE REPORTS WE GOT FROM THE DISTRICT AND THE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS ABOUT WHAT CHALLENGES THEY'RE FACING.
PART OF OUR ROLE IS ALSO TO, TO ALLEVIATE SOME OF THOSE CHALLENGES TO PARTNER AND MAKE THESE PROGRAMS BETTER, UM, AND MAKE SURE THE FUNDING IS GOING IN THE BEST POSSIBLE PLACE.
AND SO WE PARTNERED WITH THE PARK DISTRICT STAFF TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHO WE'RE SERVING, TO REDUCE BARRIERS, IMPROVE PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES, AND INCREASE ACCESS FOR ALL COMMUNITIES.
AND I KNOW THE FOLKS THAT WE WORKED WITH ARE SITTING IN THIS ROOM TODAY.
AND SO, UM, I THINK A LOT HAS GONE INTO IMPROVING THE EFFICACY AND THE IMPACT OF THESE PROGRAMS. WE ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE.
UM, WE SPONSORED THIS YEAR, SOMETHING, SOMETHING NEW THAT WE DID, OR IN 2023 WAS SPONSORED THE YOUNG MUSICIANS CHO ORCHESTRA.
UH, THERE, IT WAS REALLY BEAUTIFUL OPPORTUNITY, AND MANY OF THOSE STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES HAD ACTUALLY NEVER VISITED A REGIONAL PARK.
AND SO IT WAS WONDERFUL FOR THE EVENT AND FOR OUR GUESTS, BUT ALSO A REALLY, ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO PRI PROVIDE ACCESS TO OUR PARKS.
AND THEN THE ACCESS FOR ALL FREE MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM.
WE WORKED WITH EMILY TRICIA HERE, UM, TO, THAT WAS
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ONE OF THE PROGRAMS THAT WE IMPROVED, UM, TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WAS IN ALIGNMENT WITH WHAT THE, THE DISTRICT IS DOING.UM, WE HAD 29 FAMILY MEMBERSHIPS REDEEMED FROM UNION CITY FAMILY CENTER, THE OHLONE INDIAN TRIBE, AND THE CONFEDERATED VILLAGES OF ANNE.
AND SOMETHING I WANNA POINT OUT ABOUT THAT IS, IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT GIVING OUT FREE MEMBERSHIPS AND PROVIDING ACCESS TO THOSE WHO NEED, BUT IT'S ABOUT TAKING THE PROGRAMS THAT WE'RE ALREADY DOING, BUILDING ON THEM, AND MAKING SURE THAT FOLKS JUST DON'T COME TO THE PARK ONE OR TWO TIMES, BUT THEY FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE A YEAR OF ACCESS AND BELONGING THAT THE PARKS ARE FOR THEM, AND THAT EVEN IF THEY COME TO ONE PROGRAM, UM, WE'RE TRYING TO BUILD ON THE PROGRAMS BY PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTING PROGRAMMATIC ASPECTS WITH THIS FREE MEMBERSHIP SO THEY CAN CONTINUE TO COME TO THE PARKS IN THE FUTURE.
MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS, I'M SURE YOU ALL SAW, WE, WE PRODUCED TWO COMPASS MAGAZINES.
UM, WE PARTICIPATED IN THE RADKEY AWARD, AND THEN WE ARE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THE SHOWCASE OF THE NEWLY RENOVATED ROBERTS POOL.
I JUST WANNA THANK OUR, OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OUR OFFICERS FROM LAST YEAR, LES HARITH, HOLLY POTTER, BRUCE KERN, AND JOHN MARTIN.
UM, IT WAS, I MEAN, FOR AT LEAST FOR THE BOARD, AND I DON'T WANNA SPEAK ON BEHALF OF 'EM, THEY, THEY HIRED A NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND ONBOARDED ME, AND I THANK THEM, AND IT WAS A REALLY WONDERFUL YEAR.
UM, THE FOUNDATION IS VERY LUCK.
LUCKY TO HAVE AN ENGAGED, UM, BOARD WHO ARE EXPERTS IN EVERYTHING THAT WE WORK ON.
AND SO FOR 2024, HOLLY POTTER HERE WITH US IS OUR NEW BOARD PRESIDENT.
AND SO I'LL TURN IT OVER TO HOLLY.
UM, AND THANK YOU, LAUREN FOR, UH, THE PRESENTATION 2023 WAS A BUSY YEAR FOR THE FOUNDATION.
WE COMPLETED THE TRANSITION ON LEADERSHIP.
MANY THANKS TO SABRINA AND SUSAN FOR ALL THEIR HELP IN NAVIGATING THAT TRANSITION.
UH, I CAN SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS THAT WE'RE DELIGHTED TO HAVE LAUREN ON BOARD, AND IT'S CREATED THE ABILITY TO REALLY THINK ABOUT, UM, AND REFRESH, UM, BOTH THE STRATEGIC DIRECTION OF THE ORGANIZATION, BUT ALSO BUILD UP THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE ORGANIZATION, WHICH HAS REALLY IMPORTANT TO ENABLE US TO DO THE TYPE OF FUNDRAISING, UM, THAT WE THINK WE'RE CAPABLE OF AS AN ORGANIZATION.
UM, ADDITIONALLY, IN 2024, WE REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO BUILDING, UM, THE CAPACITY OF THE BOARD ITSELF, UM, OUR BOARD GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE AS WELL.
UM,
AND ON THAT ONE, I ACTUALLY HAVE AN ASK OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND THE FULL BOARD.
WE ARE IN FULL RECRUITMENT MODE FOR OUR FOUNDATION.
SO IF YOU HAVE RECOMMENDATIONS OF PEOPLE WHO WOULD BE, UH, GREAT MEMBERS OF OUR BOARD, PLEASE BRING THEM FORWARD.
WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR AND, UH, KIND OF SEE IF THERE'S THE RIGHT FIT WITH THE TYPE OF, UH, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR AS THE BOARD.
AND THEN IN ADDITION, REALLY GUIDED BY OUR MISSION, PARTICULARLY LOOKING AT WAYS THAT WE CAN FUNDRAISE FOR THE WORK THAT THE DISTRICT DOES.
WE ARE LOOKING AT WAYS TO STRENGTHEN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DISTRICT AND UNDERSTAND THE UNIQUE VALUE THAT THE FOUNDATION BRINGS TO THE DISTRICT, AND REALLY DO SOME DEEP WORK AS A BOARD ITSELF TO THINK THROUGH WHAT IS THE UNIQUE THING WE BRING TO THE DISTRICT SO THAT WE CAN BETTER, UH, ENGAGE WITH ALL OF YOU, UM, AND DETERMINE KIND OF THE BEST PRACTICES FOR HOW, UH, WE'RE STRUCTURED AS A FOUNDATION AND HOW OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DISTRICT IS DEFINED.
UM, SO IT'S GONNA BE A BUSY YEAR, BUT I, I AM SPEAKING FOR THE ENTIRE BOARD SAYING THAT WE'RE ALL LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.
WE'D LOVE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE ANY.
AND JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH AGAIN FOR HAVING US HERE.
AND, UM, WE ARE REALLY EXCITED.
YOU COULD JUST SEE FROM ALL OF THE WORK THAT WE DO, HOW MUCH THE DISTRICT IS DOING TO PROMOTE EQUITY AND ACCESS, UM, AND ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS JUST, UH, IT REALLY BLOWS MY MIND HOW MUCH THE DISTRICT IS DOING AND HOW MUCH WE'RE ABLE TO SUPPORT THAT.
SO IT'S A, IT'S A TESTAMENT TO ALL THE WORK THAT E-B-R-P-D IS DOING.
REALLY APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.
REALLY APPRECIATE THE REPORT AND ALL OF THE HARD WORK Y'ALL ARE DOING.
I'M GONNA LET THE OTHER BOARD MEMBERS ASK QUESTIONS FIRST, AND THEN I'LL HAVE A BRIEF COMMENT AS WELL.
SO, UH, DIRECTOR CORBETT, WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO AHEAD? OBVIOUSLY, WE'RE VERY EXCITED AND IMPRESSED WITH ALL THE GREAT WORK THAT YOU DO, AND, UH, THANK YOU FOR THAT.
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AND, UH, YOUR QUESTION, YOUR, OR YOUR COMMENT ABOUT, UH, GETTING PEOPLE TO TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE THINGS THEY'D LIKE TO SEE, TO GET TO KNOW WHAT GOES ON THERE.UM, IS THERE ANY PLAN FOR HAVING SOME SORT OF, UM, I DON'T KNOW, UH, GET TOGETHER AT A, AT A PARK OR SOMETHING AND, AND HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS LITTLE, YOU KNOW, HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT DOING ANYTHING LIKE THAT? I THINK, UH, BOARD MEMBERS WOULD BE HAPPY TO BE SOMEPLACE TO TALK TO YOU MORE.
ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS BEEN GREAT ABOUT HAVING LAUREN ON BOARD IS SHE, UH, UPDATES US ON, UH, EXISTING EVENTS, UM, THAT THE DISTRICT IS HOLDING, WHERE WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET TO KNOW YOU ALL BETTER.
UM, AND SO THE ADVANCE NOTICE IS HELPING MANY OF US GET THEM ON OUR CALENDAR, SO WE HAVE A CHANCE TO COME TALK TO YOU, UM, ONE-ON-ONE OR IN GROUPS.
UM, BUT WE WOULD WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY FOR MORE, UM, FREQUENT OR, UH, UH, INFORMAL OR FORMAL OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE WITH THE DISTRICT ELECTED BOARD.
YEAH, SOME OF THE EXAMPLES OF THAT ARE THE DISTRICT TOURS THAT HAPPEN TOWARDS THE SPRING, SUMMER, AND FALL, AND THEN ALSO, UM, EVENTS LIKE THE ONE ON SUNDAY AT THURGOOD MARSHALL HIKES LIKE THAT.
SO THOSE ARE THE THINGS I'M DEFINITELY TRYING TO BRING TO THE BOARD, UM, SO THEY CAN, YOU KNOW, ENJOY OUR PARKS, MEET ALL OF YOU, MEET OUR STAFF, AND, AND HAVE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.
IT MIGHT BE A NICE OPPORTUNITY TO MIX IT WITH SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE DOING WITH THE, UH, ANNIVERSARY WORK THAT'S BEING DONE THIS YEAR TOO.
SO WE'RE EXCITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MAY 11TH EVENT.
IS THAT PUBLIC? UM,
AND, UM, ALSO WE ARE PARTNERING WITH THE DISTRICT TO HOST OUR FIRST ENDURANCE LIKE RACE RUN WALK TYPE EVENTS, UM, WHICH REALLY FITS IN WITH OUR GOALS AND MISSIONS OF GETTING PEOPLE OUT AND ACTIVE AND HEALTH AND WELLNESS.
AND THAT'S ON JULY 20TH AT LAKE CHABOT.
IT'S A PARTNERSHIP WITH BRAZEN RACING.
UM, SO I HOPE YOU COULD, IT'S A, YOU COULD DO A 5K, A 10 K, OR A HALF MARATHON, SO, UH, DON'T BE SHY AND, UH, COME JOIN US AT LEAST FOR THE 5K.
AND I'M SORRY, YOU, WHERE DID YOU SAY IT'S HAPPENING? LAKE CHABOT ON JULY 20TH.
AND WE'LL SEND OUT MORE INFORMATION, BUT THAT'S GONNA BE A, A BIG KIND OF FLAGSHIP FUNDRAISING ANNIVERSARY EVENT FOR, FOR US, AND WE'RE HOPING TO RAISE, UM, A LOT OF FUNDS TO SUPPORT PROJECTS MOVING FORWARD.
UH, YEAH, I JUST WANT TO THANKS LAUREN FOR ALL YOUR GREAT LEADERSHIP, UH, AND, AND YOU'RE REALLY COMING ON BOARD AND, AND THINGS ARE GOING GREAT.
IT'S, IT'S SUCH A GREAT GROUP, SUCH GREAT LEADERSHIP.
UH, YOU KNOW, I HAD THE CHANCE, UH, TO WORK WITH HOLLY LAST YEAR AND, AND, AND JOHN MARTIN AND, AND, AND BRUCE KERN AND PEOPLE LIKE LES AND EVERYBODY.
BUT YOU'VE GOT SOME REAL SUPERSTARS AND, AND I SEE NOTHING BUT GREAT STUFF.
UM, I KNOW YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS, UH, OF LAST YEAR.
UM, I, I GUESS A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS I WOULD HAVE IS, DO YOU PLAN ON DOING THE PUBLIC SAFETY OR SUPPORTING THE PUBLIC SAFETY? UH, NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AGAIN.
'CAUSE THAT WAS ONE OF THE BEST EVENTS I'VE EVER ATTENDED IN THE PARK DISTRICT.
UM, I'M, I GUESS IT'S QUESTION, ARE YOU, WILL YOU CONTINUE WITH THAT SUPPORT AND WILL THE PARK DISTRICT CONTINUE, UH, TO HOST THAT EVENT? I WILL LET THE GM ANSWER IF WE'RE GONNA CONTINUE TO HOST THE EVENT, AND THEN I CAN ANSWER
YEAH, I THINK IT WAS A WILD SUCCESS, SO I SEE NO REASON WHY WE WOULDN'T CONTINUE THAT INTO THE FUTURE.
SO THAT WAS, THAT WAS REALLY FUN FOR EVERYBODY AND GREAT TURNOUT.
SO I WOULD BE VERY SURPRISED IF WE WOULD, WE DON'T DO IT AGAIN.
YEAH, WE'D REALLY LIKE TO CONTINUE AND GROW OUR SUPPORT FOR THAT EVENT.
AND ALSO JUST IN TERMS OF OUR IMPACT, UM, REALIZING HOW IMPORTANT PUBLIC SAFETY IS.
UH, FIRE POLICE LIFEGUARD, ALTHOUGH WE DO SUPPORT AQUATICS QUITE A BIT, UH, SO CRITICAL TO THE DISTRICT.
AND SO WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT'S INCLUDED IN KIND OF OUR PORTFOLIO OF IMPACT AND GIVING.
AND, AND SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I, I KNOW I, I HAVE A COUPLE OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT, UH, THE PARK PRESCRIPTIONS, BUT THEN AGAIN, I, THIS IS PROBABLY NOT, I JUST APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT FOR THAT.
I THINK THOSE ARE GREAT PROGRAMS SUPPORTING ALL THE AQUATICS FOLKS.
I THINK IT'S AMAZING THE WORK YOU GUYS DO AND THE HELP YOU DO, UH, TO SUPPLEMENT, UH, THE GREAT WORK WE'RE DOING IN THE COMMUNITY.
AND, UM, I LOOK FORWARD TO DOING GREAT STUFF NEXT YEAR.
I MEAN, THAT'S A REALLY GOOD POINT.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS, WANNA KNOW MORE, WE HAVE A LOT OF PHOTOS AND REPORTS, UM, MORE IN DEPTH.
MAYBE IT GIVES ME THE IDEA OF BUILD OUT OUR WEBSITE A LITTLE BIT MORE ON THESE PROGRAMS. UM, BUT PLEASE CONTACT A GM, SUSAN CHU, UH, AND MYSELF AND THEN WE'D BE HAPPY TO, TO GET MORE INFORMATION.
WE LOVE QUESTIONS AND THEY'RE ALWAYS WELCOME.
WELL, IT'S PROBABLY NOT FOR TODAY, BUT, UM, I'M, I'M ALWAYS INTERESTED IN THE STATUS OF THE, UH, ENVIRONMENTAL
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EDUCATION CENTER, UH, FUNDRAISING EFFORT AND, UM, UH, SO POSSIBLY GET IN, ARE YOU GONNA PRESENT THIS, UH, ENTIRE PRESENTATION TO THE FULL BOARD IN THE FUTURE? WHO, I'M GONNA ANSWER YOUR QUESTION WITH A QUESTION.WHO DETERMINES THAT WE COULD FOLLOW UP? YEAH, WE COULD FOLLOW UP.
IT'S AN INTERESTING, IT COULD BE INTERESTING.
I THINK IT'D BE VERY VALUABLE.
YEAH, I THINK IT'D BE WORTHWHILE AS WELL.
UM, DENNIS, YOU ALSO MENTIONED THE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER AND, UH, THE INFRASTRUCTURE WORK THAT, UH, I WAS TALKING ABOUT EARLIER AND THAT LAUREN HAS ENABLED THE BOARD TO THINK ABOUT ARE REALLY EQUIPPING US TO KIND OF LAY THE GROUNDWORK TO, UH, FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH WE CAN COMMIT TO A CAPITAL CAMPAIGN.
AND THIS YEAR WE'LL BE REALLY CRITICAL FOR DEFINING THAT.
SO FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU SO MUCH BOTH FOR BEING HERE.
UH, REALLY, I'M VERY EXCITED TO WORK WITH THE FOUNDATION MORE CLOSELY IN MY ROLE AS PRESIDENT THIS YEAR.
AND JUST SO EXCITED ABOUT ALL THE WORK YOU'RE DOING.
AND I MEAN, NOT ONLY THE AMAZING SUCCESSES FROM LAST YEAR, BUT ALSO I APPRECIATED HOLLY'S COMMENTS ABOUT FOCUSING IN ON THE STRATEGIC DIRECTION AND BUILDING UP THE INFRASTRUCTURE SO YOU CAN DO EVEN MORE GOOD WORK.
AND SO THAT'S VERY EXCITING TO ME.
I I WANNA CONGRATULATE YOU ON BLOWING YOUR FUNDRAISING, UH, UH, GOALS OUT OF THE WATER.
I MEAN, 2.6 MILLION, INCLUDING THE EEC, IS JUST REALLY, UH, THAT'S REALLY EXTRAORDINARY.
I ALSO WAS, UM, STRUCK AND IMPRESSED BY, BY THE AMOUNT THAT WE GET FROM MEMBERSHIPS, I DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS THAT HIGH, OVER 1 MILLION OF OUR BUDGET COMING FROM MEMBERSHIP.
I MEAN, THAT'S HUGE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE SUCH A HIGH RENEWAL RATE.
THAT'S, UM, AND THAT'S A VERY, UH, GIVES A VERY STEADY BASE TO BUILD ON.
SO THAT'S, THAT'S VERY IMPRESSIVE.
UM, I, I WANTED TO COMMEND YOU AS WELL FOR THE, THE INNOVATION THAT YOU HAVE INJECTED IN SOME OF THESE EVENTS.
I WAS ALSO GONNA MENTION THE, THE PUBLIC SAFETY NATIONAL NIGHT OUT.
THAT WAS JUST, IT WAS EXTRAORDINARY.
IT WAS SUCH A GREAT COMMUNITY EVENT.
I THINK IT WAS GOOD FOR STAFF AND EVERYBODY WHO CAME, HAD A, HAD A GREAT TIME, VERY, VERY POSITIVE AND UPBEAT.
UM, SO DEFINITELY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT AGAIN THIS YEAR.
AND, UM, THE, THE PLANNING FOR THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY, I LIKE THAT YOU CAME UP WITH SOMETHING, SOMETHING THAT I DON'T THINK WE'VE DONE BEFORE, AT LEAST NOT SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE.
IN TERMS OF THE, THE, THE RACE WALK ON JULY 20TH.
I THINK THAT SHOULD BE, THAT SHOULD BE FUN AND IT SHOULD BE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO GET OUT IN THE PARKS, BUT ALSO TO, TO SOME POSITIVE, UH, PUBLICITY FOR US AS AND SOME FUNDRAISING
SO THAT'S ALL, ALL, ALL OF THAT IS GOOD.
UM, I THINK THE ONLY, UH, I DID HAVE JUST ONE QUESTION.
I KNOW YOU CAN'T PUT EVERYTHING INTO YOUR PRESENTATION, AND IT WAS AN EXCELLENT PRESENTATION.
I AM CURIOUS TO KNOW, THOUGH, 'CAUSE I KNOW WE ALSO OFFER, UM, CAMPER SHIPS FOR THE, YOU KNOW, DAY CAMPS AND OTHER PROGRAMS THAT WE, WE OFFER.
UM, SO COULD YOU JUST SAY A FEW WORDS ON THAT, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT'S ALSO A VERY IMPORTANT WAY OF, OF GIVING KIDS WHO CAN'T AFFORD THAT, YOU KNOW, THE TUITION FOR THESE PROGRAMS TO, UM, HAVE ACCESS AS WELL.
YEAH, SO OUR CAMPERSHIP PROGRAM IS WIDER THAN JUST SUMMER CAMPS.
SO WHEN WE SAY CAMPERSHIP AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, WE'RE REALLY TALKING ABOUT, UM, ALL OF THE DIFFERENT SCHOLARSHIPS.
SO THERE'S A-E-B-R-P-D HAS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR A LOT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF CAMPS.
UM, SOME OF THEM ARE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS. SOME OF THEM ARE THE PARKING AT DAY CAMP IN THE SUMMER.
UM, CAMPER ROYAL IS ALSO SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE WEEK LONG OUTDOOR ED.
UM, SO ALL OF THAT KIND OF GOES UNDER THE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CAMPERSHIP BUCKET.
IT IS PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIPS AND TUITION FOR STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THESE PROGRAMS. BUT THE PROGRAMS, UM, THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THAT IT COVERS.
YEAH, THAT WAS REALLY MY QUESTION BECAUSE, UM, I, YOU KNOW, I SAW THE, THE CAMP ROYAL AND OBVIOUSLY SUPPORT THAT VERY STRONGLY, BUT I WAS JUST CURIOUS ABOUT, AND I KNOW ABOUT THE, THE PARK IT, BUT THE OTHER PROGRAMS, LIKE, YOU KNOW, THE, THE TILDEN FARM CAMP AND THOSE OTHER ONES ARE, DO THEY ALL, I MEAN, IS, IS IT, UM, ARE THERE CAMPER SHIPS ACROSS THE BOARD FOR, FOR THE PROGRAMS OR IS IT JUST SOME SELECTED? IT'S SOME SELECTED.
THERE'S A BOATING AND AQUATICS PROGRAM.
ANYTHING ELSE I'M MISSING PARKING IT, TAKE KIM AND BOATING AND AQUATICS, UM, TOGETHER ABOUT 300 SCHOLARSHIPS.
SO 300 SCHOLARSHIPS FOR VOTING AND AQUATICS.
UM, THIS IS OUTSIDE OF CAMP ARROYO.
UM, THE OUTDOOR, SOME OF THE OUTDOOR, I THINK AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS. SO IT'S, AND WE ALSO, SOMETHING THAT WASN'T IN THE PRESENTATION IS WE ALSO PROVIDE, UH, TRANSPORTATION
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AS WELL WHEN NEEDED FOR THE SCHOOL GROUPS THAT NEED TO COME.THANK YOU FOR MENTIONING THAT.
WELL, DOES ANYONE HAVE ANYTHING ELSE BEFORE WE YOU HAVE SOMETHING? OH, GO AHEAD.
I WOULD JUST SAY IT'S QUITE IMPRESSIVE.
THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT YOU DO MAKES US ALL HAPPY AND EXCITED.
SO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK.
AND WANNA ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE SUSAN FOR TAKING ON TWO VERY BIG ROLES FOR A GOOD PART OF THIS YEAR.
AND AGAIN, UH, HOLLY, WELCOME AS PRESIDENT AND REALLY LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH ALL OF YOU AND THE FULL TEAM.
SO NEXT WE HAVE, UH, THE GRANTS DEPARTMENT, 2023 YEAR OVERVIEW.
GOOD MORNING, KATIE HORNBECK, GRANTS MANAGER.
AND, UM, JUST PROVIDING A, A VERY BRIEF OVERVIEW ON, UH, SOME OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS FROM THE GRANTS DEPARTMENT LAST YEAR.
UH, TYPICALLY I COME TO THE FULL BOARD IN MID-YEAR, UH, MAYBE IN AUGUST.
UH, TO GET ACCEPTANCE ON THE CURRENT GRANT SCHEDULE IS JUST PART OF A AUDITING PROCESS THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE.
UH, SO, SO THAT'S, UM, UH, SEPARATE FROM THIS.
AND THIS IS PURELY JUST A, A LOOK BACK AT 2023.
SO AS A BRIEF, UH, INTRODUCTION AND REMINDER, THE, UH, THE, THE GRANTS DEPARTMENT WORKS VERY CLOSELY WITH THE GENERAL MANAGER'S OFFICE, ALONG WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS TO PROMOTE INFLUENCE AND SECURE GRANT FUNDS FOR THE PARK DISTRICT.
I MEET REGULARLY, UM, WITH THE, THE MULTIPLE DI DIVISIONS AND UNITS AND DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THOSE, UH, TO FIGURE OUT WHAT PROJECTS NEED FUNDING, WHAT THE STATUS IS, UH, AND WHAT WE, WHAT WE SHOULD BE GETTING MONEY FOR.
UH, AND SO WE'RE ALWAYS ACTIVE IN APPLYING, SECURING, AND MANAGING GRANT CONTRACTS.
UH, THE BULK OF MY JOB IS TO MANAGE WHAT WE HAVE AND MAKE SURE WE'RE SPENDING THAT MONEY SO WE CAN GO GET MORE MONEY.
SO THIS IS 2023 OVERVIEW, UH, IN BRIEF.
SO I'LL GO THROUGH THESE ONE BY ONE.
SO WE, UH, SUBMITTED 50 APPLICATIONS, UM, TOTALING APPROXIMATELY 97.3 MILLION.
UH, THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE FROM THE YEAR BEFORE.
UH, WE HAD FOR SEVERAL, THE LAST, I LOOKED BACK THE LAST, UH, FIVE TO 10 YEARS AND PRETTY CONSISTENTLY WE'RE AT 25 TO 30 APPLICATIONS.
AND WE HAD A BIG JUMP LAST YEAR, I THINK, IN PART WITH THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING COMING IN FROM THE STATE FOR 30 BY 30.
UM, AND, UH, JUST STAFF EXCITEMENT ON GETTING FUNDING FOR PROJECTS.
UM, AND, UH, THE ONE THING I'LL NOTE FOR APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED, UM, THE, AS YOU'RE WELL AWARE, THE, UH, GOVERNMENT LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS OFFICE WORKS IN THE GENERAL MANAGER'S OFFICE, UH, SUBMIT, UM, FUNDING REQUESTS TO OUR CONGRESSIONAL AND ASSEMBLY MEMBERS AND THE STATE AT FEDERAL LEVEL.
AND, UH, THOSE, UH, WE ONLY LOG THOSE IN OR, OR I ONLY TRACK THOSE ONCE THEY ARE SELECTED FOR FUNDING.
SO, 'CAUSE THERE'S, YOU KNOW, AT LEAST A DOZEN OF THOSE THAT GO OUT AND WE DON'T REALLY CONSIDER THOSE APPLICATIONS, UM, UNTIL WE ACTUALLY GET THE GRANT AWARD, UH, AWARDS ANNOUNCED OR SECURED, UH, NUMBER 28, UH, THAT'S UP BY ONE OR TWO FROM LAST YEAR.
THAT HAS HELD PRETTY STRONG IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.
UM, I WILL SAY THE DOLLAR AMOUNT HAS GONE UP OVER THE YEARS, BUT THE NUMBER OF AWARDS HAS ROUGHLY BEEN THE SAME.
UH, LAST YEAR WE HAD, UH, 19 NO AWARD NOTIFICATIONS, UH, SO THAT, THAT COULD BE FOR APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED LAST YEAR OR IN PREVIOUS YEARS.
UM, A LOT OF FEDERAL GRANTS, WE, WE MAY NOT FIND OUT A YEAR OR MAYBE EVEN TWO YEARS LATER IF IT'S BEEN SELECTED FOR AN AWARD.
AND THEN FINALLY, PAYMENTS RECEIVED.
UM, SO WE HAD 112 PAYMENTS TOTALING 26.3 MILLION.
AND I LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT THIS, UM, IN PART BECAUSE THIS IS COMING FROM OUR ONE, UH, ACCOUNT TECHNICIAN IN THE GRANTS DEPARTMENT.
AND SO SHE DOES AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF WORK AND IT'S, UH, IT'S CRITICAL.
YOU KNOW, A LOT OF MONEY IS BEING SPENT IN THE PARK DISTRICT AND THE IMPORTANT THING IS IN GRANTS, WE'RE GETTING RE ALL OF THESE GRANTS ARE, UH, REIMBURSED, SO WE NEED TO, TO COLLECT BACK THAT MONEY.
UM, AND SO THIS WAS A, A BIG YEAR FOR THAT.
UM, TYPICALLY THE AMOUNT WE RECEIVE IS ANYWHERE BETWEEN LIKE 13 AND 17 MILLION.
SO THIS WAS A BIG JUMP, UM, IN PART BECAUSE, UH, WE WERE PLAYING CATCH UP WITH, UH, GETTING REIMBURSED FOR 2017 WINTER STORM, UH, PROJECTS.
UH, WE HAD SOME STAFF, UH, TURNOVER IN MY DEPARTMENT.
AND SO WE HAD A REALLY BIG PUSH TO CATCH UP ON GETTING REIMBURSED FOR WORK THAT HAD BEEN COMPLETED IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.
UH, SO I JUST, UH, MENTIONED THIS AS A BIG KUDO TO, TO MY TEAM.
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UM, AND YEAH.AND SO SOME HIGHLIGHTS ON WHAT WAS AWARDED LAST YEAR.
UH, WE HAD, UH, A TOTAL OF 1.5 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDING FOR THE FERRY POINT PIER REMOVAL PROJECT.
SO THIS IS A COMBINATION OF AN EPA GRANT, SOME NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FUNDING, AND SOME PRIVATE FUNDING.
UH, WE RECEIVED A $2.8 MILLION GRANT FROM CAL FIRE FOR THE GRIZZLY PEAK STRATEGIC FUEL BREAK COLLABORATION PROJECT.
SO THIS IS A PROJECT BEING DONE WITH THREE OTHER AGENCIES IN THE TILDEN REGIONAL PARK AREA.
UH, WE'RE WE'RE THE LEAD APPLICANT ON THAT.
UM, BUT WE HAD RECEIVED SOME FEEDBACK FROM CAL FIRE THAT OUR, OUR APPLICATION WOULD BE MORE COMPETITIVE IF WE HAD A FEW COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS AND WE WERE DOING, UM, SOME WORK IN A SIMILAR REGION.
SO WE WENT FORWARD WITH THAT AND WE'RE, UH, GOT THE GRAND AWARD, UH, AWARDED A TOTAL OF 1.25 MILLION FOR THE RESTORE WILDCAT CREEK AT BROOK ROAD PROJECT.
AGAIN, THAT'S, UH, A COMBINATION OF AN EPA GRANT THAT WAS, UH, AWARDED AS WELL AS SOME STATE FUNDING.
AND SO THAT GETS US PRETTY CLOSE TO BEING FULLY FUNDED FOR THAT PROJECT.
AND THEN FINALLY, UH, A TOTAL GRANT FUNDING AWARDS OF 4.2 MILLION FOR THE MARTINEZ BAY TRAIL GAP CLOSURE PROJECT.
SO THAT'S A COMBINATION OF SOME FEDERAL FUNDING AND SOME STATE FUNDING, UH, INCLUDING 1 MILLION FROM THE COASTAL CONSERVANCY.
SO THAT IS MY, UH, BRIEF OVERVIEW OF, UH, 2023 AND GRANTS.
UH, BUT I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, UH, AS YOU HAVE.
MM-HMM,
UH, THANKS FOR ALL YOUR GREAT WORK AND YOUR STAFF.
AND I KNOW FEMA STUFF IS
UM, I WAS WONDERING, UH, I'M EXCITED ABOUT ALL THESE GRANTS AND AMAZED HOW YOU DO THIS KIND OF STUFF.
I'M WONDERING, I KNOW THIS IS A HIGHLIGHT, DID SF BAY RESTORATION AUTHORITY GIVE US ANY GRANTS THIS YEAR? DO WE WIN ANYTHING FROM THEM? I KNOW IT'S KIND OF ROTATIONAL.
SO, UH, WE RECEIVED ONE GRANT AWARD FOR, UM, 600,000, UH, FOR THE, UM, YOU OH MY GOODNESS.
BUT WE DID GET A GRAND AWARD HAYWARD THIS LAST ROUND.
AND THE NUMBERS IS JUST AMAZING.
SO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK ON THAT AND SHARING THAT WITH US, AND I'M SURE THERE'LL BE MORE IN THE FUTURE.
CAN WE SEE ANYTHING ELSE COMING UP THAT IS BEING APPLIED FOR OR IS AVAILABLE? SURE.
UM, SO WE WILL BE SUBMITTING OUR RAISE APPLICATION, UH, LATER THIS MONTH.
UM, CAL FIRE WILL, UH, WE SUBMITTED A CAL FIRE APPLICATION LAST MONTH.
UH, THAT GRIZZLY PEAK PROJECT I MENTIONED.
UH, WE HAD ACTUALLY SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION FOR 5 MILLION, UH, THAT WAS THE TOTAL PROJECT COST, BUT THEY CAME BACK AND SAID, WE CAN'T GIVE YOU THAT MUCH MONEY.
WILL YOU TAKE 2.8? WE SAID, YES, OF COURSE.
SO WE SUBMITTED ANOTHER, UM, IN THE NEXT ROUND OF FUNDING, WE SUBMITTED US ANOTHER APPLICATION TO COMPLETE THAT FUNDING GAP.
SO, UM, THERE'S USUALLY, UH, THERE'LL BE AN, UM, ANOTHER ROUND OF ACTIVE TRA TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM FUNDING CYCLE SEVEN THAT'LL BE COMING UP IN JUNE.
UM, WE'LL BE SUBMITTING FOR THE RICHMOND BAY TRAIL PROJECT FOR THAT MOST LIKELY.
UM, AND THEN BOTH COASTAL CONSERVANCY AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOARD HAVE ROLLING APPLICATIONS.
SO WE HAVE PROBABLY BETWEEN THREE AND SEVEN APPLICATIONS THAT WE'RE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW IN DIFFERENT STAGES THAT WE'LL BE SUBMITTING OVER THE NEXT COUPLE MONTHS.
UM, SO NORMALLY, NORMALLY WE, UH, UH, GRANTS ARE ANNOUNCED, UM, OR GRANT FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES ARE ANNOUNCED ANYWHERE BETWEEN LIKE 30 TO 90 DAYS AHEAD OF THE DEADLINE.
SO WE SORT OF CAN ANTICIPATE WHAT TO EXPECT THIS SPRING.
BUT, UM, I'M SURE THERE'LL BE A RAMP UP IN THE SUMMER AND, AND FALL, LIKE THERE USUALLY IS.
AND DO WE SEE ANY SHORELINE TYPE PROJECTS AND OR ESPECIALLY LOOKING AT THE WEATHER YESTERDAY IN THE COUPLE DAYS BEFORE, UM, DO WE SEE ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR SOME OF THESE, UH, ADDITIONAL, UH, RAINING STORMS AND ALL THAT WE'RE HAVING THIS YEAR? IN ADDITION TO FEMA FUNDING YOU MEAN? YES.
UM, NOT THAT I HAVE SEEN YET, ALTHOUGH IT'S POSSIBLE, UH, THAT THERE MIGHT BE STATE FUNDING AVAILABLE AT SOME POINT.
UH, THE TOUGH THING ABOUT, UH, FUNDING FOR REPAIR WORK OR DAMAGE WORK IS THAT MOST PROGRAMS, THEY, THEY DON'T REALLY, UH, THAT'S NOT WHAT THEY LIKE TO FUND GENERALLY SPEAKING.
SO IT'S FEMA IS KIND OF THE GO-TO THERE.
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SO WE'RE STILL WORKING THROUGH THE PROCESS OF, UM, FOR THE 2023 WINTER STORMS, UM, GETTING, THERE'S A, A SLOG OF PAPERWORK THAT'S REQUIRED.SO WE'RE, WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT CURRENTLY STILL.
UM, BUT YEAH, FEMA'S OUR BEST BET WHEN IT COMES TO, TO STORM DAMAGE.
SO DO WE SEE AN, AN ADDITIONAL NEED THIS YEAR? YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY WE'RE HAVING A LOT MORE RAIN WE'VE HAD IN PAST YEARS.
UM, A DISASTER, UH, HASN'T BEEN ANNOUNCED YET, UM, FOR ANYTHING RECENTLY, AT LEAST I HAVEN'T SEEN YET.
UM, SO USUALLY WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF ONE THAT'S REALLY HEAVILY IMPACTED THE AREA, IT'LL GET ANNOUNCED AND I'LL START COORDINATING WITH THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE NEED TO REQUEST FOR, FOR FUNDING.
IT LOOKS UNFORTUNATELY THAT MIGHT BE COMING IN OUR DIRECTION THIS YEAR.
KATIE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE REPORT AND ALSO FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU AND YOUR TEAM ARE DOING.
I KNOW YOU HAVE A, A SMALL BUT MIGHTY TEAM AND REALLY TO, TO CHURN ALL OF THIS OUT, ALL OF THESE GRANT APPLICATIONS AND THEN ALSO TRACK THE, THE PAYMENTS.
I'VE, I'VE, I USED TO HEAD A, A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION,
SO THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THAT.
SO ALONGSIDE THE REGIONAL PARKS FOUNDATION THAT WE HAVE, HAVE JUST THIS AMAZING TEAM IN TERMS OF THE, THE, YOU KNOW, FUNDRAISING AND, UM, TRACKING AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
UM, I DON'T HAVE ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS.
I'M EXCITED TO SEE ALL OF THE STUFF GOING ON IN MY DISTRICT, THOUGH.
I JUST HAVE TO, I HAVE TO SAY THAT WITH THE RISK OF, OF MAKING MY OTHER DIRECTORS MAD, BUT, BUT I'M, IT'S VERY, I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT ALL OF THE ACTIVITY ON THESE, ON THE DIFFERENT THINGS AND THE, THE, YOU KNOW, THE FIRE BREAK, FOR EXAMPLE, AND BROOK ROAD AND MM-HMM.
EXCUSE ME? ARE THERE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS? NOTHING.
DO DO ANY OF THE OH, DO, WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT ON EITHER THING.
UM, I MEAN, NOT GOOD THAT THERE ARE NO PUBLIC COMMENT, BUT GOOD THAT WE DIDN'T MISS IT.
UM, SO ANY FURTHER COMMENTS FROM ANY OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS? JUST VERY IMPRESSIVE.
WELL IN THAT CASE, UH, WE ARE ADJOURNED AT 1116.
TAKE CARE, EVERYONE, YOU TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, DENNIS.