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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-06-14; Senior Commission; ; SENIOR SCHOLARSHIP FUNDSENIOR COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM AB# 0612-3 DEPT/DIV. SENIOR SCHOLARSHIP FUND Approval MTG. 06-14-12 CITY ATTY. (If required) STAFF: Spickard RECOMMENDED ACTION: Recommend approval of a Senior Scholarship Fund for Carlsbad seniors who would like to attend a program at the senior center, but do not have the financial means to attend. ITEM EXPLANATION: At times we have heard that there are some seniors who would like to attend a program or a class at the senior center, but being on fixed incomes has made it difficult for them to participate. In September, all classes at the senior center will become either volunteer taught classes (no donation is requested by the instructor), or contract instructor classes where the instructor and the city receive a percentage of the class fees. We have been told that many seniors are not going to be able to afford to attend the classes that are going to have required fees. After discussing this situation, staff is recommending the development of a Senior Scholarship program, whereby Carlsbad seniors could request a scholarship. Presently the Parks & Recreation Department has an Opportunities Grant program where Carlsbad youth can apply for funding to attend a Parks & Recreation program. The proposed program would follow the guidelines developed by the Opportunities Grant program; the Senior Scholarship program would be exclusively for Carlsbad Seniors and would follow low income standards as established by HUD. FISCAL IMPACT: It is recommended that the Senior Scholarship Fund be taken out of the senior center revenue account where donations towards the senior center are deposited. Presently, that fund is used to purchase items that the city General Fund does not support (i.e. baby grand piano; large screen T.V., etc.) or special events (i.e. entertainment; guest speakers). There is currently approximately $180,000 in the senior revenue account. Staff is recommending that $10,000 be set aside for the Senior Scholarship program and that amount be adjusted as needed. EXHIBITS: ( ' None. )0