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Brawley to apply for Team California scholarship to expand economic development tools; council logs several routine approvals
Summary
Council authorized submitting a Team California scholarship application (one year, no city cost if awarded) to obtain membership, site‑selection software, consultant access and trade‑show registrations; council also approved several routine votes including staff travel to a finance conference.
The Brawley City Council voted Jan. 21 to submit an application for a Team California scholarship that would provide one year of membership and related technical assistance at no cost to the city if the scholarship is awarded.
Councilmember Timothy Kelly described the package: a one‑year Team California membership, access to site‑selection software, consultant admission to a "Meet the Consultants" forum, registration for two trade shows of the city's choice, and marketing amplification and professional development. Kelly said the program would be administered in partnership with the Imperial Valley Development Center (IVDC) and Sun Community Federal Credit Union, and that the scholarship is tied to the Federal Home Loan Bank AHEAD grant process that supports regional marketing and site readiness.
Kelly and staff emphasized there is no city cost for the first year if the scholarship is granted. Council agreed to submit the scholarship application and to approve a resolution contingent on notification that the scholarship was awarded; council members said the city manager and one other staff member would be the primary points of contact for the effort. Members also asked for periodic updates and an assessment after six months and at year end to help decide whether continued membership would be budgeted in future years.
Beyond the Team California action, the council approved a handful of routine items by voice vote during the meeting. Highlights:
Votes at a glance
- Approve travel to the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers annual conference (San Jose); estimated transportation and lodging cost presented as $2,204 (Rocio Enriquez, Assistant Finance Director). Motion approved by voice vote.
- Consent agenda: approved by single motion and voice vote.
(Other larger items discussed and approved earlier in the meeting include the ILG MOU and the Brawley Union High School SRO MOU; those are reported separately.)
Ending: Staff said they will submit the scholarship application promptly; if awarded, staff will bring the contingent resolution back to council for ratification and provide periodic reports on consultant activity and any leads generated for development projects.
