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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-03-2014 - 6gORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: June 3, 2014 Action Agenda Item No. 6 -g SUBJECT: Potential Funding Assistance for Fairview Community Watch through Orange Tennis Club DEPARTMENT: County Manager, DEAPR PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No ATTACHMENT(S): Petition from May 8, 2014 BOCC Meeting Letter from Orange Tennis Club INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Talbert, County Manager, 919- 245 -2300 David Stancil, DEAPR Director, 919, 245 -2510 1 PURPOSE: To consider a request for $2,000 in matching funds for Fairview Community Watch Summer Monitoring Program at the County's Fairview Park. BACKGROUND: At the Board's May 8, 2014 regular meeting, a representative from Fairview Community Watch presented a request to the Board for matching funds for the Fairview Community Watch Summer Monitoring Program. As implemented last year, the cost of the program is $4,000 to pay for an adult monitor and youth assistant to work in the park 18 hours per week from June to August and distribute play equipment and games. The monitors were compensated and the equipment was purchased last year as part of a grant awarded for this initiative. The monitors are asked to serve as a "friendly presence" in Fairview Park and monitor activity. Approximately $2,000 remains from the grant, and the group is requesting a matching amount to provide the needed funds. Fairview Community Watch and the Summer Monitoring Program coordinated with the Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation and the Town of Hillsborough Police Department (which has a substation adjoining the park) in last year's successful program. The organization has also been active in other joint efforts with the County and non- profit groups for improvements in the Fairview community. Fairview Community Watch is awaiting 501(c)(3) designation, and has made an arrangement with the Orange Tennis Club (which has such designation) to receive funds and serve as "pass - through" if funding is provided. A letter from the president of the Orange Tennis Club confirming this arrangement is attached. County staff has also informed Fairview Community Watch that any funding requests in future years should occur through the County's Outside Agency funding application process. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Fairview Community Watch has requested $2,000 to match an existing $2,000 in remaining grant funds. This request was received after the Outside Agency Funding process. Staff recommends the $2,000 be allocated from the FY 2013 -14 BOCC Contingency, which prior to this proposed allocation has a balance of $11,650 following an original total budget of $37,000. If approved, staff will include the $2,000 allocation to Orange Tennis Club as part of the budget amendment to be considered by the Board at the June 17, 2014 regular meeting. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the appropriation of $2,000 to the Orange Tennis Club on behalf of Fairview Community Watch for this program, with the $2,000 to be allocated from the FY 2013 -14 BOCC Contingency. K REQUEST TO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR $2000 TO SUPPORT THE FAIRVIEW COMMUNITY WATCH SUMMER MONOTORING PROGRAMS Presented to the County Commissioners Meeting 5/8/14 by Dorothy Johnson, Chairman of Fairview Community Watch Fairview Community Watch would like to ask the Orange County Commissioners for a matching grant of $2000 for the summer monitoring program at the County's Fairview Parr. The cost of the program is $4000 to pay for an adult monitor and youth assistant to work in the park 144 hours (8 weeks at 18 hours a week from June to August). These monitors assist in distributing play equipment and games to the visitors. They are a "friendly presence" to oversee activity, and to monitor unwanted behavior. Although the monitors have no legal authority they are connected to the Fairview Community Police station by cell phone. The program also pays for a supervisor for the monitors and a small celebration at the end of the program. The summer monitoring program has been in action for the 2 previous years and has been endorsed as a good program by the Orange County Parks and Recreation Department and the Hillsborough Police Department. The employees in this program have been Fairview residents who are liked and respected by those who use the Park. We are confidant that the adult monitor and supervisor will be available again this summer. We think that money invested in this program is not only a positive signal to the Hillsborough community but also a positive step in vandalism and crime prevention. We feel an urgency to secure the funds for this program as we would have to hire the staff to begin mid June, not long after school is out. If you deem to grant these matching funds, the Fairview Community Watch is awaiting a 501 (6) charitable designation. All the paper work has been completed and submitted and fees paid. We could arrange a transfer of funds from the Orange Tennis Club who currently has a 501 (6) designation. The Fairview Community Watch, Fairview Forward program has partnered with the Health Department Eat Smart Move More initiative, the Orange Tennis Club, the Orange County Parks and Recreation Department, Habitat for Humanity and others on projects in Fairview Paris and the Community Garden. We see the potential for future grant funding for expansion of existing and new programs. We believe that engaging the youth of Fairview and Orange County is needed and will be well received by the County. I-'- ?4t4� - M May 21, 2014 Barry Jacobs, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners PO Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC 27278 Dear Chair Jacobs and Commissioners, Orange Tennis Club (OTC) enjoys a working relationship with Fairview Forward and we have worked together to put on clinics and events on early release days at the courts at Fairview Park. We feel Fairview Forward shares the same goals as we do, providing recreation and exercise to kids in the Fairview community. We are a 501 c 3 agency and would be happy to receive a check from Orange County and hold it until needed by Fairview Forward and at that time will issue them a check for the awarded amount. Thank you for supporting the mission of Fairview Forward in its work this summer. I have known one of the young men who worked in this capacity last summer and the experience was wonderful for him. Sincerely, John Hughes President of the Board Orange Tennis Club