Coronado City Council Meeting to Address Grants and Waste Fees

Categories: CharityCommunityEvents/What's HappeningNews

Residents participate in a Coronado City Council meeting.

News Summary

The Coronado City Council is convening on June 17 to expedite the community grant allocation process and discuss potential changes to waste collection fees. The council plans to allocate nearly $1 million in grants to local nonprofits while considering a phase-out of a waste collection subsidy that currently assists homeowners. The meeting will also address the formation of a subcommittee for exploring Community Choice Aggregation for energy sourcing. Community participation is encouraged, both in-person and online.

Coronado – The Coronado City Council has set its agenda for a crucial meeting on June 17, which will focus on expediting annual community grant allocations and discussing potential changes to waste collection fees. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. in the City Council Chamber located at 1825 Strand Way. For those unable to attend, the session will also be broadcast online, with a recording available for later viewing.

This year, Coronado allocates approximately $1 million in grants to local nonprofits, a process that typically requires about 250 hours of staff time to manage. Given several key vacancies within the city staff, the City Council unanimously voted in February to expedite the grant allocation process to conserve around 140 hours of allocated staff time.

City staff has proposed that approximately $172,000 remain unallocated to allow for council discretion. Moreover, automatic renewals for previously awarded grants total $913,724 and are aimed at organizations that have received support for at least three consecutive years. Staff recommends that about 90% of these funds be allocated to returning grant recipients.

The council is recommending full grants for five major annual events, including:

The Coronado Chamber of Commerce’s holiday parade and tree lighting.
The Coronado Floral Association’s grant for the Coronado Flower Show.
The Coronado Fourth of July celebrations.
The Coronado Island Film Festival.
The Coronado Schools Foundation’s grant for the annual Art and Wine Festival.

No reapplication was submitted this year by a long-term applicant, Reading Legacies. Additionally, $75,000 has been earmarked for mini grants, which can be requested by organizations not qualifying for automatic renewal, with each organization eligible to request up to $15,000.

The council will also consider the potential phase-out of a long-standing waste collection subsidy that currently covers 15% of a single-family home’s waste removal bill. Changes to these fees occur every two years, but this year the council will discuss a quicker phase-out of the subsidy. A public hearing on proposed EDCO rate increases for waste disposal services will coincide with the council meeting.

In addition to the grant allocations and waste fee discussions, the council plans to establish a subcommittee aimed at exploring the implications of joining a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) for electricity procurement. This initiative seeks to empower local communities to have more control over energy sourcing and pricing.

Another topic of interest includes a request from Councilmember Amy Steward to discuss safety measures related to fencing at the dog park located in Cays Park. As in previous meetings, the council will allow for public comments during this session, ensuring community voices are heard on these critical issues.

The outcome of the discussions on community grants and waste collection fees will have significant implications for local nonprofits and community members in Coronado. With new measures aimed at efficiency and enhanced service delivery, the council is proactively addressing the needs and financial management of city services.

Residents are encouraged to engage in the process, whether by attending the meeting or providing comments online, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in local governance.