[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6455487,"mediaKeyId","5836689-19619b35c4ae9bc587b7325408cf778f","parentId",5836689,"title","Colfax council asks staff to draft formal policy for city donations to nonprofits","audioSeconds",947,"startMs",3290000,"endMs",4237000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5836689-19619b35c4ae9bc587b7325408cf778f&start=3290&end=4237","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5836689-19619b35c4ae9bc587b7325408cf778f/thumbnail_3290000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6455487/Colfax/Placer-County/California/Colfax-council-asks-staff-to-draft-formal-policy-for-city-donations-to-nonprofits","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455487-dc1129b3743357e1241cd262c6b6b806/orig.mp4?Expires=1770833394&Signature=hux28ESDjAFmxiHyDvrP-eS154V9Gzkm75mQYtUPekBxpU3zN3gwB~ExPVGSMW5qcvGbTvr91qryr5AevwjGgZ7aMWAAvXdPh98-ml5Q3vXtzf233Z0yZ-6K0V~XAiRFahmOiXhz8E8QylxBhLOtCzjHMq3vTyHkkEdSxDZFkwoehc3VNEHV23QH8Xs0UZjj24lLTKuQnmlGenoQQ~0fHuSait61xmnT2DaR2uR9r35pD6p8zKRYfRVLcXD90kUkfobhNk2Jw3E6SX6Yh8ExcBNY4lTL4vmIzjHxiSVQ3ErhTp~HktbH58zlhA1hYhV0MmRFhqB1eJ3H9kiIxVjBAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Colfax","date","2025-09-26T14:42:47.953Z","article","The Colfax City Council directed staff on Thursday to return with a draft policy that would set standards for when and how the city donates public funds to nonprofits and other community entities.

Councilmembers discussed whether the city should require organizations to match city donations, how large matching shares should be, and what reporting and oversight should be required. Councilmember Caroline McAuley said she favors a match and a mandatory report-back so the public can see how funds were used. “Any group that is requesting taxpayer money should be open to providing that information,” McAuley said.

The request to develop a formal policy grew from an earlier council direction to staff. City Manager (name not specified in transcript) told the council he had assembled examples from other cities to start discussion and asked for direction. Some councilmembers proposed a 40–50% match to ensure recipients had “skin in the game.” Others warned against onerous financial audits for small volunteer groups.

Councilmember Larry (surname not specified) said he did not expect heavy-handed audits but supported requiring organizations to demonstrate fundraising efforts and to provide a post-event accounting or narrative. “I think anybody that we are willing to give our taxpayer money to should be willing to open their books to that level to show it,” he said. Several members emphasized the need for flexibility for new groups that may not have fundraising histories.

City Attorney (name not specified) advised that an outside committee could administer funds but that a council subcommittee would be subject to the Brown Act and public meeting requirements. The attorney also noted there is no legal requirement that city grant funds go directly to an IRS 501(c)(3); the council could allow other “equivalent charitable entities” if it chose to do so.

After public comment and additional discussion, councilmembers asked staff to redline the draft, incorporate the council’s preferences (matching options, reporting requirements and exceptions), and bring back a revised policy for further review and possible adoption at a future meeting.

The council did not adopt a final policy at the meeting; staff was asked to produce a new draft that reflects the feedback provided.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","September 24, 2025 Regular Meeting of the Colfax City Council","oneSentenceSummary","Councilmembers debated proposed guidelines for city donations, including match requirements, reporting back by recipients and whether an outside body should manage grants; staff was directed to refine the draft and return to a future agenda.","taxTitle","Colfax, Placer County, California","taxId",79889,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6455474,"Local artist proposes 'Choo Choo' clock at Arbor Park; council agrees to consider on a future agenda",5415,1050000,6465000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5836689-19619b35c4ae9bc587b7325408cf778f&start=1050&end=6465","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5836689-19619b35c4ae9bc587b7325408cf778f/thumbnail_1050000.jpg","/articles/6455474/Colfax/Placer-County/California/Local-artist-proposes-Choo-Choo-clock-at-Arbor-Park-council-agrees-to-consider-on-a-future-agenda","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455474-d8d8c09f18c88b5ea12599f38717e4af/orig.mp4?Expires=1770833394&Signature=Z4V~-Yma52umKRdoL84zzLo6ETkodMzo7vj-n6jYsGmGewGrSGEQkYBO4DC7oIxAWbSSfK6rChkPZ3Tj2p0xR9gIk-5-hnOQgic7XuZAN~7xtWO2e8rf0kC0eXAaBBwMpOyUd43AjCmJGJD53uQv7-dq9OtVoxTAMnLATQu3Md3nHWmU~aUSD5ouzwm-jqXftKW35o2unYByxpE2lMo6o5CzP1sXTQ7y5ITjgvYso4k3MsybTzlDiU1LkKlxsLZp9dW61djJoHQZNcR8bYBgFquxTsSCAh15BbNDl9HCAOLpxX8L3FMdAjvhGwSF5tcdCw5IDAOAg6h9Om5Fc3Vb5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Local artist Jim Bowers presented a public comment proposal to the Colfax City Council to build a large, low-maintenance “Choo Choo” clock — a train-themed cuckoo clock intended for Arbor Park — and asked the council to place the idea on a future agenda.

“I have the talent, and where I'd like to build this clock is directly over the cement stage in the art park,” Bowers told the council. He described a rotating platform with a fixed decorative train that would appear on the hour, selfie platforms, and lighting timed to Wi‑Fi-synchronized motors. Bowers said he believes the installation could be built for under $20,000 through crowdfunding, grants and local contributions.

Councilmembers responded positively to the concept. Councilmember Larry said he had already discussed the idea with Bowers and asked to agendize it for a future council meeting so the council could consider funding, permitting and placement. “I would like to agendize Jim Bowers' proposal at some time in the future,” Larry said.

Other council members and members of the public complimented Bowers's earlier public works and urged staff to work with him on permit and budgeting details. The council did not approve funding or permits at the meeting; members asked staff to schedule a formal agenda item so the council could review plans, cost estimates and any necessary approvals.","Longtime Colfax artist Jim Bowers pitched building a large, collaborative 'Choo Choo' cuckoo-style clock and train display at Arbor Park; councilmembers said they would agendize the proposal for formal consideration.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6455479,"CHP and Cal Fire report multiple commercial vehicle incidents and rising wildfire workload near Colfax",203,137000,340000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5836689-19619b35c4ae9bc587b7325408cf778f&start=137&end=340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5836689-19619b35c4ae9bc587b7325408cf778f/thumbnail_137000.jpg","/articles/6455479/Colfax/Placer-County/California/CHP-and-Cal-Fire-report-multiple-commercial-vehicle-incidents-and-rising-wildfire-workload-near-Colfax","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455479-163ad2b30f54795005a1f876c32108b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770833394&Signature=SuMQum1ugE09kmlsu9bjyWmN-JNUbiw~7oXltuRF5Eo9IfMZLkWgojgm51ykD1epRes5GS52rFwqcgtTr7JcK-TTgRh8pLW6mlmoJL44weN1FpVxYP-KTv5zYca0psb2q9fxy-1xr2tbY59be5Z-A7vdmDFZ1a3RRYwO5CT~wSS6VVO3JO2mIMBoFUtQZhmriMtNv7hfRQYju1X~hyxwOepni7~1eeloKb5ifk7qXQg6iDSJraExkIxkGRjofcK5-qb2~zXqGhRraZlb08cRfTikdb~vUcfGoT6GQp7bFDMXZk8KrNQ-ihAZKvivnu5vyknRRfvIcTzxuw13kSw2ow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Local public safety agencies reported several recent incidents on Interstate 80 and a heavier fall workload for fire crews.

Sergeant Toby Williams of the Placer County Sheriff's Office said railroad days passed without incident and the department supported other patrol needs. “Railroad days went pretty well … there were no calls for service related to it,” Williams said.

Officer Jason Lyman, public information officer for the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Gold Run office, briefed the council on an active investigation of a recent fatal motorcycle collision near Crystal Springs. Lyman said the eastbound lanes were closed for several hours while officers conducted collision investigation and traffic control.

Clint Seabert of Cal Fire (Placer County) told the council Station 30 responded in August to 117 calls including 22 vegetation fires, two structure fires, seven vehicle fires and three other types of fire. Seabert said crews have responded to two separate semi-truck incidents involving Tesla batteries; neither reportedly involved post-crash fire in one case but both required extended scene monitoring as battery packs can be unstable. “Luckily there was no fire involved, so that kinda made cleanup a little bit easier,” Seabert said.

Seabert also reminded residents about local burn permits and inspections for debris burning (LE-5 and LE-7 permits). He said lower-scale pile burns around Bull Road and other smaller controlled burns are planned where weather and conditions allow, and crew availability will limit the pace of prescribed activity.

No council action was taken on the reports; the agencies offered to answer questions from the public and council about traffic impacts and fire safety measures.","Placer County Sheriff's Office, CHP and CAL FIRE station 30 reported recent Interstate 80 collisions including two Tesla semi rollovers and a fatal motorcycle crash; CAL FIRE noted an uptick in vegetation and commercial-vehicle fires and reminded residents about burn-permit rules.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6455482,"Council approves $2,800 donation to Sierra Soar to support community athletics",3155,3205000,6360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5836689-19619b35c4ae9bc587b7325408cf778f&start=3205&end=6360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5836689-19619b35c4ae9bc587b7325408cf778f/thumbnail_3205000.jpg","/articles/6455482/Colfax/Placer-County/California/Council-approves-2800-donation-to-Sierra-Soar-to-support-community-athletics","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455482-d59c34cf3d455ba9863b673382de56b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770833394&Signature=UyEqktV38bFHbnh6KQpUtwUpKmWUBdKI72HZokpQxOuuP6pTxIm2M5sE6gbJhcBMBzNRa404VWvhYpn3G~HflsQQzpJTLquy9pX-Xt94mEgNzj4hbhseIeLm~1vsyuwrefAW8p8N2sHkUU8xtn5weckcQQkNZQut5SBMSMU5gqcafSaRaCCw8ZegPq1PKx6hqEpuFAQKGz49eaMsgb-rv0n9K8lPajqVSh-tMsNZEv48-dSgZYtU1Vu8Sg3aKRel-V7XDSY4wr96zhQ694gNUP-UaOhlSsHoK9IEEFMEC8hiaYqmRIl6TK9KHePQIQr3Im0EHaWAKRXe7Ayo2~BpzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Colfax City Council voted Thursday to award $2,800 to Sierra Soar, a new local nonprofit that raises money to support youth and community athletics.

Bob Morales, representing Sierra Soar, told the council the group raised more than $50,000 over two years through events including a golf tournament that netted $9,000. “We aim to create lasting impacts on athletes' lives, fostering skills and friendships that extend well beyond the court and field,” Morales said.

Council discussion weighed the group's recent fundraising history and the city’s remaining nonprofit allocation for the fiscal year. Councilmember Caroline McAuley said the organization’s goals are laudable but questioned whether taxpayer funds were the best source of additional support at this time, noting the city’s nonprofit allocation and upcoming event needs. “After considering all factors, I don't believe that allocating additional taxpayer funded donations to this program is the most appropriate use for our taxpayer funds at this time,” McAuley said.

Councilmember Larry moved to provide the requested $2,800 without direction on spending; the motion carried. The council did not place conditions on how Sierra Soar should spend the awarded funds, but several members urged recipients of city money to provide a report afterward describing how the funds were used.

Sierra Soar told the council it uses funds to buy gear for local teams, pay tournament fees, and support community athletics and mentoring programs. Morales said the group had funded a gym floor refinish at the Sierra Vista Community Center and provided equipment, tournaments and other youth activities.

The donation will come from the city’s dedicated allocation for nonprofit and community-support grants; council discussion noted that earlier commitments and projected event funding reduce the remaining balance for the fiscal year.","The Colfax City Council voted to give $2,800 to Sierra Soar, a local nonprofit that raises funds for athletics and youth programming; council discussion noted fundraising progress and budget impacts to the city's nonprofit allocation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Colfax council asks staff to draft formal policy for city donations to nonprofits

Local artist proposes 'Choo Choo' clock at Arbor Park; council agrees to consider on a future agenda

CHP and Cal Fire report multiple commercial vehicle incidents and rising wildfire workload near Colfax

Council approves $2,800 donation to Sierra Soar to support community athletics