Seaside — The Seaside City Council on Thursday voted unanimously to approve a $3,000 donation from the mayor’s youth fund to the International School of Monterey (ISM) to support an after‑school coed soccer program.

The donation was presented by Keyon Higgins, Seaside’s recreation superintendent, who said the mayor’s youth fund “provides supplemental assistance to students and nonprofit groups … to improve the lives of young people in our community.” Higgins told the council the fund’s balance before the grant request was roughly $44,122.20 and that the ISM award would reduce the balance by $3,000.

Council discussion focused on how the money would be spent and what the city should require of recipients. ISM’s athletic director, who identified himself as the school’s AD and program lead, told the council the funds would primarily cover jerseys, equipment and fees to secure fields and officials. “My number one job as an educator, coach, athletic director is to make sure my students are safe,” he said, describing patching squirrel holes on the school field and hiring referees so matches are not canceled.

Why it matters: The mayor’s youth fund is intended to subsidize student activities and nonprofit programming in Seaside. Council members pressed ISM for specificity because similar requests have asked the fund to cover items ranging from equipment to field rentals and, in previous years, stipends. Several council members said they support the program but want clearer follow-up reporting about exact expenditures and a stronger link between the grant and the fund’s stated environmental or scholastic priorities.

Council members asked whether the $3,000 would be used for ongoing operating costs or one‑time purchases. Higgins said the grant covers a mix of needs—jerseys, new balls, and paying for certified referees—and that families have previously covered some costs. The ISM AD said the program expects about 50 students and that the school aims to provide a jersey to every participant rather than asking families to buy them.

City staff noted program reporting is required. Higgins said recipients submit a recap to staff at the end of the program showing how the funds were used.

Outcome and next steps: Council Member [name on file: motion/second not specified in the transcript] moved and the council approved the donation by unanimous voice vote. The city manager and recreation staff will process the award and the recipient must provide an after‑action report describing how funds were spent.

Context: The council placed the item on the regular business agenda rather than the consent calendar because it was a new program request for the mayor’s youth fund. Council members indicated they expect similar future requests to include clear line items for field use, equipment, and officiating, and to document the program’s sustainability in subsequent reports.

Votes at a glance
- Donation: $3,000 from the mayor’s youth fund to International School of Monterey for after‑school soccer program — Approved unanimously.

Speakers quoted in this article are drawn from the meeting transcript and include Keyon Higgins, Recreation Superintendent, and an unnamed ISM athletic director representing the applicant. Direct quotations are drawn from the public record of the meeting and cited in the provenance below.

Ending: The council approved the award after asking staff to require recipient reporting showing how the money was spent and to confirm whether future similar requests could be clarified up front. The council also signaled it will review broader mayor’s youth fund policy and eligibility — an item Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco asked staff to return with additional options for council consideration.