Ann Land and Bertha Henschel Memorial Fund Commission Meeting - November 17, 2021
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Ann Land and Bertha Henschel Memorial Fund Commission Meeting - November 17, 2021
The Ann Land and Bertha Henschel Memorial Fund Commission met virtually on November 17, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:25 p.m. The commission approved the consent calendar, received the City Treasurer's annual report and 2022 funding recommendations, and voted on 2022 funding allocations for 27 eligible grant applicants. A total of $159,236 was allocated to 21 organizations providing food, housing, transportation, and other essential services to Sacramento's most destitute residents.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: Unanimously approved the August 18, 2021 commission meeting minutes.
- Teleconferencing During COVID-19: Received and filed the report on remote meeting protocols.
- Site Visit Reports 2021: Received as information.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made on agenda items or matters not on the agenda during designated periods.
- After the vote, Rachel Logan (Roberts Family Development Center) asked how organizations could view their individual scores. Staff confirmed scores would be available via the published minutes after approval. Dorothy Benjamin (Women's Civic Improvement Club) asked about the evaluation criteria; staff explained the scoring criteria were derived from the application questions published in advance.
Discussion Items
- City Treasurer's Annual Report and 2022 Funding Recommendations: City Treasurer John Colville reported that the portfolio was valued at $4.6 million as of October 31, 2021, a gain of over $600,000 from the prior year. The Public Trust fund returned just under 21% for the year. Colville recommended increasing the annual grant distribution from $150,000 to $160,000, noting the portfolio was currently generating closer to $170,000 in income. Commissioners thanked the investment team and requested a custom benchmark for future reports. The item was received and filed.
- 2022 Funding Allocations: Staff presented the grant cycle process. Of 35 applications received, 27 were deemed eligible. Each of the 27 applicant agencies was given two minutes to present their proposals. Following presentations, the commission re-evaluated scores and ranked organizations. After multiple adjustments to award tiers, the commission finalized a funding matrix totaling $159,236. A motion to approve the displayed allocations passed unanimously (4-0; Commissioner Yanez absent). The commission noted the higher-than-usual number of applications and pledged to refine the process for future cycles.
Key Outcomes
- Approved 2022 Grant Allocations: $159,236 distributed among 21 organizations based on a scored ranking system. Awards ranged from full funding (100%) for the highest-ranked applicants to reduced percentages for lower-ranked groups, with the lowest tier receiving 35% of requested amounts. The final award amounts ensure all available funds are allocated.
- Commissioner Comments: Several commissioners expressed gratitude to all applicants and emphasized that scores reflect alignment with this year's priorities (food and housing with wraparound services), not the quality of the organizations. Commissioner Smith advocated for adhering strictly to evaluation criteria. The commission agreed to revisit and refine the grant allocation process at the next meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Thank you. We are live. Good morning and welcome to the November 17th, 2021, 9 a.m. meeting of the Ann Land and Bertha Henschel Memorial Funds Commission. The meeting is now called to order. Will the clerk please call the role to establish a quorum? Yes, thank you, President. Members, please unmute and turn on your video. President Leary. Present. Vice President Zamanudin. Present. Commissioner Macintosh. Present. Commissioner Corps. Present. Commissioner Smith. Present. Thank you. We have a quorum. Thank you. This meeting is virtual via Zoom. For members of the public who wish to join, please refer to the agenda for the Zoom link. Once you have joined the meeting and wish to speak, use the raise your hand function to provide public comment when the chair uh when the chair confirms the public comment speaking period for your desired item. If you are online, uh please click on the raise your hand button on the bottom of your screen when you would like to make public comment. Um if you're in the mobile app, you can raise your hand by tapping raise your hand in the more tab. And if you're calling in via telephone, um to raise your hand, please dial star nine. Then to unmute or mute, dial star six. Speakers will be called on by the last four digits of their phone number. You will have two minutes to speak once you are called on. We will now proceed with tonight's uh this morning's agenda. Um our first business this morning is to approve the consent calendar. Madam Clerk, are there any members of the public who wish to speak on the consent calendar? I have no members of the public with their hands raised to make comment on the consent calendar. Thank you. Are there any commissioners uh who wish to speak on this item? All right, seeing none. Um is there a motion and a second for this item? And we I move we accept the uh consent calendar items as published. Thank you, Commissioner Smith. Is there a second? I'll second. Thanks, Commissioner McIntosh. Um, we have a motion and a second. So will the clerk please call the roll for a vote. Yes, thank you. President Leary. Sorry about that. Thank you. Vice President Zamanuden.
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