Ann Land and Bertha Henschel Memorial Funds Commission Meeting – November 16, 2022
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Ann Land and Bertha Henschel Memorial Funds Commission Meeting – November 16, 2022
The Ann Land and Bertha Henschel Memorial Funds Commission met virtually via Zoom on November 16, 2022, from approximately 9:15 a.m. to 2:49 p.m. Commissioners approved the consent calendar, received and filed reports, heard a presentation from the City Treasurer, and allocated $165,000 in 2023 grant funding to 30+ nonprofit organizations after hearing two-minute presentations from each applicant. The meeting included a presentation on updated City Code Chapter 2.40, site visit and semi-annual report reviews, and a discussion on Attorney General registry compliance.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes (File ID 2022-01575): The commission voted unanimously to approve the August 17, 2022 meeting minutes. Motion by Commissioner Arnoult, seconded by Commissioner Ellis. All present voted aye; Commissioner Chan was absent.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Public Comments – Matters Not on the Agenda: Two members of the public spoke. Rachel Logan requested clearer guidance on the evaluation criteria used for grant applications. Roxy asked whether the rankings (scores) of organizations are shared with the applicants; staff confirmed they become public when minutes are approved.
Discussion Items
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Item 2 – Update on Chapter 2.40 of the Sacramento City Code (Oral Report): City Clerk Mindy Cuppy presented the recent council-approved updates to the municipal code governing boards and commissions. She highlighted attendance requirements (three unexcused absences or absence from one-fourth of meetings in 12 months constitutes good cause for removal), term limits, and the need for four-hour advance notice for excused absences. She also described efforts to standardize commission processes and increase transparency.
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Item 3 – Review of Site Visit Reports and Semiannual Reports (File ID 2022-01996): Staff reported that most site visitation and semi-annual reports were received and filed at the August 18 meeting; three outstanding reports were submitted. Commissioners received and filed the item without further discussion.
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Item 4 – City Treasurer’s Annual Report and 2023 Funding Recommendations (File ID 2022-01997): City Treasurer John Colville presented the portfolio performance. For fiscal year 2021–2022, the fund earned a 1.24% return (compared to S&P 500 at -11.9% and aggregate bonds at -9.9%). Over the long term, the portfolio has outperformed benchmarks. Total income earned since inception exceeded $6 million. The Treasurer recommended a 2023 spending limit of $165,000, up from $160,000. Commissioners commended the team for conservative management.
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Item 5 – 2023 Funding Allocations (File ID 2022-01998): The commission heard two-minute presentations from representatives of more than 30 applicant organizations. Staff briefed commissioners on eligibility criteria, including the requirement for a current/exempt status with the California Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts. Two organizations (Meals on Wheels by ACC and Wellspring Women’s Center) were listed as delinquent; both stated they had submitted paperwork and were awaiting processing. The commission discussed whether to allow a December 1 deadline for them to become current or to exclude them. After extensive debate, the commission agreed to fund both conditionally, with funds reverting to the fund if not current by December 1, 2022.
Commissioners also debated specific budget line items, ultimately deciding to rely on the scoring matrix rather than re‑adjudicate each line. The motion to adopt the awards matrix included a $10,000 maximum per applicant, reducing the total requested to exactly the available $165,000. The motion stated that any funds allocated to Meals on Wheels or Wellspring Women’s Center that remain delinquent on December 1, 2022, would be returned to the Ann Land Bertha Henschel Memorial Fund. The motion passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Approved Consent Calendar (minutes of August 17, 2022).
- Received and filed the update on Chapter 2.40, site visit reports, and City Treasurer’s annual report.
- Approved 2023 Funding Allocations of $165,000, distributed according to the awards matrix (detailed in the meeting minutes). The allocation is contingent on each grantee having a current/exempt status with the California Attorney General by December 1, 2022; if not, those funds revert to the fund.
- Commissioner Comments: The commission agreed to add agenda items for the February 2023 meeting to clarify eligibility regarding stipends, pet food, vehicle purchases, and evaluation criteria for grant applications.
- Next Meeting: Scheduled for February 2023 (date to be noticed).
Meeting Transcript
Vice President staff is ready when you are thank you. Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the Wednesday, November 16th meeting of the Anne Land and Bertha Hensrill Memorial Fund Commission meeting. The meeting is now called to order. Will the clerk please call the roll to establish a quorum? Yes, thank you, Vice President. Commissioners, please unmute and turn on your video. Commissioner Chan is absent. Commissioner Smith. Present. Thank you. Commissioner Almott. Here, Arnold. Arnold. Thank you so much. Sure. Commissioner Ellis. Here. Thank you. Commissioner Corps. Here. Thank you. Commissioner Yenez. I do see her. Here. Thank you. Commissioner. Say it one more time. Thank you. And Vice President McIntosh. Here. 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 join the meeting and wish to speak, raise your hand to provide public comment when the president confirms, or in this case, Vice President confirms that the public comment speaking period for your desired item. Online, if you are online, click on the raise hand on the bottom of your screen. Mobile app. In the mobile app, you can raise your hand by tapping the raise hand option in the more tab. Telephone. If you're calling in via telephone to raise your hand, 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 today's agenda. For those who can, please rise for the opening acknowledgement in honor of Sacramento's indigenous peoples and tribal lands. To the original people of this land, the Ni Sin people, the Southern Maidu Valley and Plains, Mi Wok, Patwin Wintoon peoples, and the people of the Wintoon Rancheria, Sacramento's only federally recognized tribe. May we acknowledge and honor the native people who came before's histories, contributions, and lives. Thank you. Please remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance.
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