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Home My WebLink About2026-04-28; City Council; Resolution 2026-081Exhibit 1 RESOLUTION NO. 2026-081 . A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CITY COUNCIL POLICY NO. 51 ON COMMUNITY ACTIVITY FUNDING WHEREAS, the City of Carlsbad has a strong commitment to support community programs, events, neighborhood improvements, and youth athletic teams that enhance quality of life and benefit the community; and WHEREAS, the City Council on Dec. 4, 2012, adopted Council Policy No. 51, which established the policy and detailed processing procedures for community activity funding; and WHEREAS, the proposed amendments to Council Policy No. 51 will consolidate three programs into a single Community Enrichment Grant, with the Winning Teams Grant continuing as a separate program; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that delegating approval of compliant community activity funding agreements to the City Manager will streamline the review process and allow for timely approval. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, as follows: 1.That the above recitations are true and correct. 2.This action does not constitute a project within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, under Public Resources Code section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b)(4) and does not require environmental review under CEQA Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) because issuing grants is a government fiscal activity and does not in itself involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. 3.That revisions to City Council Policy No. 51 on community activity funding are hereby adopted as reflected in Attachment A to this resolution. 4.That the City Manager, or designee, is authorized to designate an additional $1,000,000 from the fund balance of the City’s General Fund to the General Fund’s Community Enrichment Grant Commitment account for the funding of grants awarded under City Council Policy No. 51. April 28, 2026 Item #5 Page 5 of 12 Docusign Envelope ID: 379D15CA-D3D9-4265-BCA1-C09BEF0C51DC 5.That the City Manager, or designee, is authorized to annually appropriate the estimated interest for the year to the General Fund’s Community Enrichment Grant Commitment account for the funding of grants awarded under City Council Policy No. 51. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Carlsbad on the 28th day of April, 2026, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: Blackburn, Bhat-Patel, Acosta, Burkholder, Shin. NAYS: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None. ______________________________________ KEITH BLACKBURN, Mayor ______________________________________ SHERRY FREISINGER, City Clerk (SEAL) April 28, 2026 Item #5 Page 6 of 12 Docusign Envelope ID: 379D15CA-D3D9-4265-BCA1-C09BEF0C51DC Policy No. Date Issued Resolution No. Attachment A Subject: Community Activity Funding Policy Purpose To establish a consistent process of providing financial support for community and neighborhood-based programs, events, and activities that help enhance the quality of life of Carlsbad residents and visitors. Background The City Council has a long history of funding community activities and programs that help enhance the quality of life of those who live, work and play in the City of Carlsbad. To help establish a consistent process for funding such efforts, the City Council adopted Council Policy 51 in the early 1990s. In short, the policy established a series of grants that could financially assist with the initial "start-up costs" for qualifying community-initiated programs. Overtime, these grants have helped fund programs and activities from community events and neighborhood improvements to youth teams advancing to national or international championship competitions. Statement of policy To establish a grant program and process that awards funding and/or in-kind city services to qualifying applicants who require one-time assistance in establishing their community-initiated program, event, or activity. Procedure The City of Carlsbad offers two types of grant programs under this policy: Community Enrichment Grant and the Winning Teams Grant. A.COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT GRANT PROGRAM The Community Enrichment Grant provides financial and in-kind assistance to eligible nonprofit and volunteer organizations for community programs, events, and neighborhood improvement activities that enhance quality of life, foster community pride, and provide a direct public benefit to the City of Carlsbad community. 1.Definitions a.Programs: Structured activities or projects delivered over time that provide direct services, enrichment, or neighborhood improvements to the community. b.Events: Time-specific, single or occasional gatherings (e.g., festivals, parades, or celebrations) intended to engage the public for a limited duration. c.Project: One-time activity or neighborhood-based improvement with a clear scope and timeline that provides a direct public benefit but does not include capital improvement projects or ongoing operational support. April 28, 2026 Item #5 Page 7 of 12 51 April 28, 2026 2026-081 Docusign Envelope ID: 379D15CA-D3D9-4265-BCA1-C09BEF0C51DC City Council Policy Statement April 28, 2026 Page 2 2.Eligibility To be eligible for funding under a Community Enrichment Grant, applicants must meet the following criteria. a.The application is filed by, and the program administered by a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization such as a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6), or organized by an all-volunteer group. b.Evidence that the proposed program, project, or event will help enhance quality of life, foster community pride, and bring residents together. c.Evidence that the proposed program, project, or event will be located in, or provide direct benefit to the city. d.Secure approval of a city Special Event Permit pursuant to Carlsbad Municipal Code Chapter 8.17, if the program, project, or event impacts public property or facilities. This is required prior to applying for the grant. e.Commitment that the program, project, or event are open to the public, non- discriminatory, and not commercial, political, or religious in nature. 3.Eligible Uses of Funds a.Event and program coordination defined as costs associated with planning and implementation, including limited staff or contractor time, marketing and advertising, venue rental, and catering (excluding alcohol). b.Neighborhood improvement projects or enrichment programs, such as community clean-up efforts, landscaping or beautification activities, minor enhancements to existing community spaces, or community-based programming that encourages neighborhood engagement. c.Start-up costs to initiate new programs, events, or projects that provide community activities or enhancements within Carlsbad. d.Fundraising events if hosted by an all-volunteer, Carlsbad-based organization. Funds may used only for direct event costs (no staff pay except short-term contractors), and proceeds benefit a Carlsbad-based organization with a community-wide impact (no direct cash gifts to individuals). e.City required permitting or facility use fees associated with the proposed program, project, or event. f.Other uses not listed may be considered if requested in writing as part of the grant application and approved by the City Manager following review for consistency with this Policy. g.Grant funds may not be used for ongoing operating costs, permanent program support, capital projects, or staff salaries. April 28, 2026 Item #5 Page 8 of 12 Docusign Envelope ID: 379D15CA-D3D9-4265-BCA1-C09BEF0C51DC City Council Policy Statement April 28, 2026 Page 3 h.Grant funds may not be used when in combination with other city funding or city donated services, including funding from Community Development Block Grant program. 4.Funding Amounts a. Programs, Events & Projects: May request funding for up to 100% of eligible costs, up to $40,000, subject to available annual budget of $100,000, or other amount as may be appropriated by the City Council b.Events: Funding is limited to 20% of total direct event costs (excluding volunteer time, and applicant operational expenses). In-kind city support may be awarded in lieu of cash assistance, subject to the same limits. 5.Grant Terms a.Funding available for up to three consecutive years, followed by a two year break before reapplying, with a maximum of five (5) total years of funding per organization b.Signature Community Events – Events designated by the City Manager as signature events (e.g., citywide parades, annual community traditions) may apply annually with no term limits, subject to yearly application and review c.An organization may receive no more than one Community Enrichment Grant award per fiscal year. 6.Administration a.Applications must be on a city approved form and submitted at least 60 days prior to the start date of the proposed program, project, or event. b.Grants will be provided on a reimbursement basis only and require submission of receipts and proof of payment. c.The City Manager is authorized to approve cash assistance or value of in-kind city services up to $10,000, and appropriate said funds from the General Fund’s Community Enrichment Grant Commitment account. The City Council must approve cash assistance or in-kind city services for grants in excess of $10,000. d.Staff will review requests for “other uses” and forward recommendations to the City Manager for consideration and decision. B.WINNING TEAMS GRANT PROGRAM The Winning Teams Grant program provides financial assistance to help offset a portion of documented travel-related expenses for qualifying Carlsbad youth athletic teams that have advanced to national or international championship-level competitions. April 28, 2026 Item #5 Page 9 of 12 Docusign Envelope ID: 379D15CA-D3D9-4265-BCA1-C09BEF0C51DC City Council Policy Statement April 28, 2026 Page 4 1.Eligibility To be eligible for funding under a Winning Teams Grant Program, applicants must meet the following criteria. a.Participating athletes must be 18 years of age or under. b.Requests must be submitted prior to the date of the competition. c.At least 90% of team participants must be Carlsbad residents, or the school represented must be physically located within the City of Carlsbad. 2.Funding a.Covers up to 20% of a maximum of $10,000 for documented travel, lodging, meals, and registration costs for participants and coaches at national or international championship competitions b.Funding is limited to one award per team per qualifying championship competition. 3.Administration a.The City Manager is authorized to approve cash assistance up to $10,000 and appropriate said funds from the General Fund’s Community Enrichment Grant Commitment account. b.Requests may be made year-round. c.Grants are reimbursement-based and require receipts and proof of payment C.APPROPRIATIONS The City Council approved a set-aside of $2M that was deposited into the General Fund’s Community Enrichment Grant Commitment account. The interest from the set-aside shall be the direct source of funding for the Community Enrichment Grant and Winning Teams Grant programs. The City Council retains discretion to modify the set-aside amount or available funding levels as necessary without the need to amend this Policy. April 28, 2026 Item #5 Page 10 of 12 Docusign Envelope ID: 379D15CA-D3D9-4265-BCA1-C09BEF0C51DC