Committee advances draft ordinance to set up East Side grants program after debate over governance and spending rules

The special committee reviewing implementation of the East Side supplemental community benefits agreement (CBA) discussed a draft ordinance and general terms for a new East Side Community Grants Program and reached consensus to pursue a 501(c)(3) administrative model while returning to finalize details at a follow‑up meeting.

The committee chair opened the session by noting the budget allocation and the program’s purpose: “we have $4,000,000 allocated towards the CBA for the East Side. So now it's time for us to actually put those dollars to work in the East Side,” the chair said.

The draft ordinance, prepared for the committee by legislative staff, proposes placing the program in Chapter 118 of the city code and designates a nonprofit, described in the draft as HERO Inc., to administer an East Side grants program modeled on the city’s Cultural Council. “This is based on the Cultural Council model,” said Mr. Pavliss, a legislative staff member, as he walked the committee through the draft. The draft notes HERO Inc. would operate under a board of directors and a grants process that includes an advisory grants committee in the Cultural Council model, but the committee debated whether to retain that separate grants committee.

Why it matters

The proposal would create a sustained local funding stream tied to the CBA’s East Side strategic focus and use city budget appropriations to support projects and services in five neighborhoods the CBA map defines. The program’s rules will determine which organizations or projects get multi‑year support for affordable housing, workforce housing, economic development and mitigation of homelessness on the East Side.

Key elements in the draft and committee debate

- Administrator and legal placement: The draft places the program in Chapter 118 (city grants) and names HERO Inc. as the administrative agent. Mr. Pavliss…