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HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-07 Staff Report - Award Annual ScholarshipsCONSENT ITEM E-7 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL VIA: SERGIO GONZALEZ, CITY MANAGER FROM: KURT CHRISTIANSEN, FAICP, ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR DATE: JUNE 18, 2017 SUBJECT: AWARD ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIPS BACKGROUND: 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 third annual scholarship application period opened on September 19, 2017 and ended on March 15, 2018. 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 three (3) $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; and 2)Award one (1) $500 scholarship to the remaining eligible applicant from the unused Adult Advancement Scholarship Opportunity. APPROVED CITY COUNCIL 6/18/2018 Award Annual Scholarships June 11, 2018 Page 2 ANALYSIS: 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 third annual application period opened on September 19, 2017. The application was made available on the City’s website through an online submittal form, social media, Library, City Clerk’s Office and Human Resource Office. Staff made two presentations to parents during their regular parent meetings and distributed information to various Azusa Unified School District faculty, staff members and the High Schools Career Centers. The application link was made available on two of the High Schools website for direct student and parent access. The application period closed on March 15, 2018 and a total of six (6) High School Senior applications were received of which four (4) of the six (6) applications were eligible. No applications were received for the Adult Advancement category. The Scholarship Selection Ad-Hoc Committee consisting of Councilmember Alvarez, Councilmember Macias and Staff 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 Jacqueline Alvarez and two (2) $500 scholarships to Juan Flores and Oscar Cervantes-Garcia. The Ad-Hoc committee also recommended the remaining High School Senior applicant be awarded a scholarship in the amount of $500 given there were no applicants for the Adult Advancement Scholarship Opportunity. If approved an additional $500 scholarships would be awarded to: Ruby Jaimes The award recipients will be presented a certificate at a future City Council meeting. Award Annual Scholarships June 11, 2018 Page 2 FISCAL IMPACT: There is $69,300 of available funds under the Vulcan scholarship trust account 50-08-000-146- 2719; scholarships for this round in the amount of $2,500 will be paid from these funds. Prepared by: Reviewed and Approved: Carina Campos Kurt Christiansen, FAICP Economic Development Specialist Economic and Community Development Director Fiscal Impact Reviewed by: Reviewed and Approved: Talika M. Johnson Sergio Gonzalez Director of Finance City Manager