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Budget and Public Employees Committee gives do-pass to $50,000 youth climate microgrant program
Summary
The St. Louis Budget and Public Employees Committee on June 22 gave Board Bill 32 a do-pass recommendation to accept a $50,000 Bloomberg Philanthropies grant to create a Youth Climate Action Fund that will award microgrants to youth-led climate projects to be completed by next Earth Day.
The St. Louis Budget and Public Employees Committee voted June 22 to give Board Bill 32 a do-pass recommendation to accept a $50,000 grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ American Sustainability Cities Initiative to seed a Youth Climate Action Fund.
Alderman Cohn, presenting the ordinance on behalf of the president’s office, said the measure authorizes the president of the Board of Aldermen’s office to accept the grant. "I was sponsoring this bill partly because the president was on maternity leave at the time that the opportunity came before us," Cohn said, adding that the office sought committee approval for the program.
Kristina Garmendia, policy director to President Green, told the committee the funds will support microgrants for youth-led climate projects in partnership with the City Youth Council and community nonprofits. "So, this is a small grant uh $50,000. We'll be giving out between um eight to 40 micro grants between $1,000 and $4,000 about," Garmendia said, and added that projects are expected to be completed by the next Earth Day. She said the city will host workshops to help young applicants who have not previously applied for grants, and that successful implementation could unlock additional Bloomberg funding.
Committee members expressed support and several asked to be added as co-sponsors. Alderman Cappleman pressed only on precedent, saying he did not recall a similar grant previously run by the president’s office and thanked staff for bringing resources to the community. "To my knowledge, I don't recall, you know, this would be my second presidential administration ... not to my recollection. So, I think that this is a a first," he said.
Clerk-recorded public comment: none. After a motion and second to pass the bill with a do-pass recommendation, the chair called for a previous roll; no objections were raised and the chair announced the bill had passed with a do-pass recommendation from committee. The committee had no resolutions to consider and adjourned.
Board Bill 32 now carries the committee’s positive recommendation and will move to the next step of the legislative process for final consideration by the full board.
