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Gig Harbor awards $80,000 in senior services grants to three local providers
Summary
The Gig Harbor City Council approved staff recommendations to distribute up to $80,000 in senior services reimbursement grants to Olympic Civic Services, the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation and GoodRoots, with two top applicants funded fully and remaining funds offered to the third.
Gig Harbor’s City Council approved staff recommendations to distribute $80,000 in a newly launched senior services reimbursement grant program, backing three local providers that staff said will expand services for older residents.
Housing, Health and Human Services Manager Shay Smiley told the council the city received seven applications and six met eligibility standards. ‘‘Staff recommends that the top two applications are fully funded up to the amount that they requested, and the remaining funds from the grant cycle can be awarded to the third highest grant applicant,’’ Smiley said.
Staff identified Olympic Civic Services (average score 86) and the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation (84) as the top two applicants and GoodRoots (78) as the third. Smiley described Olympic Civic Services’ proposals as social engagement, health and wellness programming, educational offerings and transportation support; the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation’s proposal includes wellness classes, intergenerational activities and meal expansion; GoodRoots proposed installing a refrigerated food locker to improve 24/7 access to food for residents experiencing food insecurity.
Smiley said the grants are reimbursement-based: programs must submit documentation, including counts of Gig Harbor residents served, to be reimbursed. ‘‘It’ll be for when Gig Harbor residents are utilizing the services,’’ Smiley said in response to council questions about residency.
Public comment supported the awards. Joyce Schultz, director of the Gig Harbor Senior Center, urged a positive vote and said the funds ‘‘will certainly allow us to expand and sustain already existing programs and activities.’’ David Olson, president of the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation, described the programs’ importance for seniors’ mental health and urged funding for all three organizations.
Council member Julie Martin moved to approve the staff recommendations; the motion was seconded and passed 6–0–1, with Council member Rodenberg recorded as abstaining. The grant program uses $80,000 included in the city’s biennium budget; staff said if the program is repeated next biennium the allocation would likely be $40,000 per year under the same budgeting cadence.
The council did not adopt additional conditions beyond the reimbursement requirement. Staff will oversee grant administration and return to council as needed on implementation details.
