GONZALES — Measure K Advisory Committee submitted recommendations for Community Action Grant awards to the Gonzales City Council, which approved this year’s recipients Jan. 22.
A total of $30,000 in grants were awarded to various organizations that will provide assistance for college applications, trips for senior citizens, Cinco De Mayo event performers and more.
The Measure K program is in its second year of funding activities and events through grants approved and recommended by the Transaction and Use Tax Advisory Committee. The purpose of the committee is to oversee and advise the city council on the use of the tax funds.
“One of the major changes is the first year there was $20,000 set aside,” said City Manager Rene Mendez. “I think the Advisory Committee felt it was such a successful program that they increased it to $30,000 for fiscal year 2018-19.”
Interested parties were required to attend a meeting to ask questions and talk about the area of their program. According to Mendez, a senior program was one of the topics discussed.
“Eleven proposals were received and the Advisory Committee formed a subcommittee to review the proposals and make a recommendation to the Advisory Committee,” Mendez said.
Out of the 11 proposals, four were denied because the organization missed the mandatory meeting.
Among the proposals was the Gonzales Unified School District theater group, which asked for funds to go toward equipment. The group behind the Cinco De Mayo celebration submitted a proposal to increase the number of cultural dance groups performing for the event. A special needs group also applied for funding that helps families who have children with special needs.
Gonzales Youth Guardians submitted a proposal as well focused on outreach for their group. The senior citizen program that was proposed was Adventure Seeking Seniors, to take them on trips and get them out of their homes and be active.
One of the final proposals came from the Gonzales Youth Commission for Senior Swarm, which is a workshop to help high school seniors apply to colleges.
The city council approved the Measure K Advisory Committee recommendations and approved the award amounts to be given out.
