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Council approves Grama Advisory Commission funding slate after recusals and random selection to achieve quorum
Summary
The City Council approved the Grants Advisory Commission’s FY25–26 recommendations, awarding $288,010 to 17 local nonprofit projects from the Citizens Benefit Fund and REACH after managing multiple council recusals by a randomly selected quorum procedure.
The City Council approved the Grants Advisory Commission (Grama) FY25–26 funding recommendations, awarding $288,010 to 17 nonprofit applications from the Citizens Benefit Fund (CBF) and the Roseville Employees Annual Charitable Fund (REACH).
Toby Thomas, management analyst in the city manager’s office, presented the commission’s recommendations and funding history: the Citizens Benefit Fund was established from proceeds of the sale of the Roseville Community Hospital and has distributed more than $17 million to local nonprofits over the years. For FY25–26 the Grama Advisory Commission reviewed 27 eligible applications requesting $587,677 and recommended funding 17 projects totaling $288,010 (the funding pool was limited compared with requests, staff said).
Because several council members disclosed conflicts for specific applicants, the council invoked the statutory “rule of necessity” to randomly select one conflicted councilmember to remain and vote while the other conflicted members recused themselves. The city attorney drew a name from a bag; Councilmember Ricucci remained on the dais while Vice Mayor Albert and Mayor Bernasconi recused themselves for certain votes.
With recusals in place the council voted on specific awards that required quorum. The council approved funding for the Roseville Police Assistance League in the amount of $13,306; Lighthouse Counseling & Family Resource Center for $30,000; and Stand Up Placer (listed in the packet as Standard Placer) for $20,500. After the recused members returned, the council then approved the remaining 14 grant awards: $220,204 from the Citizens Benefit Fund and $3,300 from REACH, for a combined total consistent with the commission’s recommendation.
Council members and staff noted the challenge of choosing among many qualified applicants given constrained funds and affirmed that the commission prioritized demonstrated effectiveness and alignment with funding priorities (operations/mission support, small requests and strategic one‑time grants). The motion to approve the full slate and authorize award distributions passed on roll calls recorded in the meeting minutes.
Staff said awarded grantees will receive funds after standard agreements are prepared and that awards will be formally presented at the Grama Advisory Commission meeting in August 2025.
