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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Daniel Barreiro, Chief Community Services Officer
DATE: November 5, 2019
SUBJECT:
Approval of the 2020 Quality of Life Grants in the amount of $898,000.
PURPOSE:
To approve the 2020 Quality of Life Grants by resolution. This approval is necessary in order to award and process 2020 grants.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Aurora's Quality of Life Grant program was implemented in 2007. Over the years dozens of organizations have been funded serving thousands of residents. The grants were included in each annual city budget. Recently changes have been made to the Quality of Life Grant program. Phase 1 included reopening the application process.
After the downturn in the economy there was pressure on city funds reducing the amount of grant funds available. The QOL grant process was closed and the number of funded applicants gradually shrunk through attrition. The only new programs funded came from the CDBG application process. These programs were deemed important but were not a good fit with CDBG. While the Gaming Tax Fund revenues continue to decrease, the Mayor's Office and the Innovation Department wanted to help more organizations by opening up the application process. The Quality of Life grant application process was opened up in 2018 resulting in 38 applicants and the funding of a total of 29 organizations which was nearly a 100% increase.
DISCUSSION:
The 2020 QOL Grant program continues to evolve. Phase 2 of the Quality of Life changes was implemented this year with the expansion of the QOL grant review committee this year. The committee helped review and score the 38 grant applications. The committee consisted of Dan Barreiro (Community Services Division), Skyy Calice (Police Department), Adrienne Holloway (Innovation & Core Services Department), Chuck Nelson (Mayors Office), Chris Ragona (Community Development Subdivision), and Simon Rodriguez (Youth Services Subdivision). After scoring the applications,...
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