Public safety committee adopts OVP recommendations for unexpended Prop S crime-prevention funds; Resolution 51 moves forward

The St. Louis City Public Safety Committee on Thursday adopted the Office of Violence Prevention's recommendations for distributing unexpended funds from the Prop S crime-prevention program and forwarded Resolution 51 out of committee with a due-pass recommendation.

The committee voted to use the Office of Violence Prevention's (OVP) recommended allocations as Exhibit A for Resolution 51. A roll call recorded six aye votes for adopting the OVP recommendations; the clerk later recorded that Resolution 51 was passed out of committee with a due-pass recommendation.

Why it matters: the allocations provide summer and year-round program funding for local nonprofits that deliver violence-prevention, youth enrichment and community-support services. Committee members and applicants stressed the need to get awards processed quickly so programs can operate during the summer.

Public testimony: multiple community organizations addressed the committee. Kristen Gumper, development director at Marion Middle School, said Marion submitted its application on time and asked the committee to consider remaining funds to support the school's expanded LINKS program, field trips, camp and contracted enrichment services. "We're a school beyond walls and a place where dreams take flight," Gumper said, urging committee members to consider the impact on girls from neighborhoods affected by violence and poverty.

Nora Ryan of the Roosevelt Community Council described operational disruptions that harmed their grant-year performance: a late contract start from OVP, district transportation problems and student absenteeism after the recent election cycle. She said those structural barriers affected the council's ability to meet program goals and asked for flexible consideration in future rounds.

Joy Smith of Believe It Youth Organization described program growth and vocational-skills classes for youth (sewing, barbering), weekly field trips and direct outreach in neighborhoods. "These funds make that available to them," Smith said.

Late amendment and vote: Vice Chair Aldridge moved a last-minute amendment reallocating $20,000 each from three larger recurring recipients (Goodwill, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Affinia) to three local programs represented at the hearing (Marion Middle School, Roosevelt Community Council and Believe It Youth). After discussion about process and OVP's role as the third-party evaluator, that amendment failed on the committee floor (the roll call recorded a split vote and the motion did not carry).

Committee members emphasized process improvements for next year. Several aldermen said the committee should get OVP's evaluation earlier in the calendar so contracts can be executed in time for summer programming. The comptroller's deputy explained contracts still go through ENA's financial review and that timely action by the council would allow disbursement once the committee completes adjudication.

Outcome: the committee adopted Exhibit A (OVP recommendations) by roll call (six ayes recorded) and passed Resolution 51 out of committee with a due-pass recommendation. The comptroller and staff said contracts will be processed promptly after committee action to allow timely summer programming for funded organizations.

Ending: committee members called for procedural fixes next year's cycle, including earlier application review, clearer timelines and expanded oversight of how awards are monitored so smaller community providers receive consistent, timely funding.