Council adopts citywide grant policy, directs staff to apply for T‑Mobile hometown grant for park water fountains

The Stafford City Council unanimously approved a citywide grant management policy May 21, and later the same meeting directed staff to apply for a T‑Mobile Hometown Grant to help fund replacement of city park water fountains. Both votes were unanimous.

Ashley Merchant, the staff member who presented the grant policy on behalf of the finance department, said the policy was developed to ensure consistent procedures and federal compliance for solicitation and management of grants. "As required by federal regulations, the finance department has developed a comprehensive grant policy and procedures," Merchant told council, adding the policy applies to all city departments and references recordkeeping obligations under 2 CFR 200. Council members praised the clarity of the document; one noted the checklist and procedures will help departments understand expectations for grant submissions.

Separately, council discussed longtime problems with park water fountains. Council members said the fountains have been turned off for about five summers. Mayor Pro Tem Bostick and other council members urged staff to expedite the project; Bostick asked staff to compile a grant application and to coordinate with the Economic Development Corporation (EDC). Resident Cliff Cowperthwaite and other speakers urged the city to identify where park‑side parking or other site preparation would take place if a park project proceeds.

City staff described steps already taken with the EDC. Council and staff made two, slightly different attributions for EDC authorizations during the discussion: one council member said the EDC previously authorized approximately $250,000 for a parks project; a city staff member later said the EDC had authorized a $350,000 construction allocation plus an annual $25,000 figure tied to required public notices and project administration. The differences were made explicit in the meeting and attributed to those speakers; staff asked for more time to provide a definitive, step‑by‑step timeline.

Public works staff said a public‑notice period (60 days after publication) is required before the EDC formally moves a project to council for approval; staff agreed to provide a milestone timeline, including publication dates and subsequent steps, and said they were coordinating with the EDC and the newspaper on timing. Staff also confirmed the T‑Mobile Hometown Grant would be a reimbursement grant worth $50,000 and has a June 30 application deadline.

Councilman Bostick moved, and the council seconded and approved, a motion directing staff to apply for the T‑Mobile Hometown Grant and to provide a project timeline for the EDC and council. The council also approved the grant management policy earlier in the meeting; the policy presentation and resolution passed unanimously.