HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-12 Staff Report - Award Annual ScholarshipsCONSENT ITEM
E-12
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
VIA: TROY L. BUTZLAFF, ICMA-CM, CITY MANAGER
FROM: CARINA CAMPOS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST
DATE: MAY 15, 2017
SUBJECT: AWARD ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIPS
SUMMARY:
At the regular meeting of March 7, 2016, the City Council approved the Scholarship Program
establishing a set of guidelines and criteria for awarding financial assistance to eligible high
school students and adults. Funding for the program is available through an initial $75,000
contribution made from Vulcan Materials Company as a condition of the development
agreement. The second annual scholarship application period opened on January 3, 2017 and
ended on March 16, 2017. A Scholarship Selection Ad-Hoc Committee was formed to evaluate
the applications and make a recommendation to the City Council to award the scholarships. This
action will award one (1) $1,000 scholarship and five (5) $500 scholarships to qualified High
School Seniors.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council take the following actions:
1) Accept the recommendations of the Scholarship Selection Ad-Hoc Committee and award
one (1) $1,000 scholarship; and two (2) $500 scholarships;
2) Award three (3) $500 scholarships to the remaining three applicants from the unused
Adult Advancement Scholarship Opportunity; and
3) Consider the Scholarship Selection Ad-Hoc Committee’s proposed modification to the
Scholarship Program and give direction to Staff.
APPROVED
CITY COUNCIL
5/15/2017
Award Annual Scholarships
May 15, 2017
Page 2
DISCUSSION:
As a condition of their development agreement with the City, Vulcan Materials Company was
required to make an initial $75,000 contribution to a scholarship program fund and a $0.05 (five
cent) per ton of construction grade aggregate sold from the site once mining operations begin to
support the scholarship fund on a continuing basis.
A Scholarship Program was approved at the March 7, 2016 City Council meeting outlining
procedures and guideless to provide financial assistance to first time Azusa residents pursuing a
post-secondary education who demonstrated a financial hardship. A total of six (6) scholarship
opportunities were made available as follows:
Scholarship Opportunities
High School Senior (1) - $1,000 (2) - $500
Adult Advancement (1) - $1,000 (2) - $500
The second annual application period opened on January 3, 2017. The application was made
available on the City’s website, social media, Library, City Clerk’s Office, Human Resource
Office and Memorial Park. Staff participated in Azusa Unified School District’s Parent
University on February 25, 2017 and distributed information to various Azusa Unified School
District faculty and staff members.
The application period closed on March 16, 2017 and a total of six (6) High School Senior
applications were received. No applications were received for the Adult Advancement category.
The Scholarship Selection Ad-Hoc Committee consisting of Councilmember Carrillo and
Councilmember Gonzalez convened and evaluated the applications based on academic
achievement; dedication to extracurricular activities and or community involvement; one-page
essay and financial need.
The Ad-Hoc Committee reviewed the applications and unanimously selected the following to
receive a scholarship: one (1) $1,000 scholarship to Sarah Serrano and two (2) $500 scholarships
to Amanda Breceda and Shelsey Mora. The Ad-Hoc committee also recommended the remaining
three High School Senior applicants be awarded a scholarship in the amount of $500 given there
were no applicants for the Adult Advancement Scholarship Opportunity. If approved three
additional $500 scholarships would be awarded to: Cynthia Sanchez-Lucatero, Stephanie
Gonzales and Samantha Magallon.
The award recipients will be presented a certificate at a June City Council meeting.
The Ad-Hoc Committee also discussed the need to revise the Scholarship Program in order to
encourage a larger number pool of applicants for the next application period. Specifically, the
Award Annual Scholarships
May 15, 2017
Page 2
Ad-Hoc Committee believes that the number of hours of community service should be reduced
from 40 to 20 hours. If the City Council concurs with this modification, Staff will revise the
program and bring it back to a future City Council meeting for approval.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is $73,000 of available funds under the Vulcan scholarship trust account 50-08-000-146-
2719; the scholarship in the amount of $3,500 will be paid from these funds.
Prepared by: Fiscal Impact Reviewed by:
Carina Campos Talika M. Johnson
Economic Development Specialist Director of Finance
Reviewed and Approved: Reviewed and Approved:
Louie F. Lacasella Troy L. Butzlaff, ICMA-CM
Management Analyst City Manager