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Council signals support to amend grant for Sensory Tent Pals — swap trailer for RV and shorten clawback to one year
Summary
Council members agreed in principle to permit Sensory Tent Pals to buy a drivable RV instead of an enclosed trailer and to shorten the grant clawback from five years to one year, pending staff follow-up on insurance, training and stewardship details.
City staff brought a proposed amendment to a community grant with Sensory Tent Pals, asking whether council supported two changes: convert the planned purchase from an enclosed trailer to a drivable RV (a donated 36-foot unit was described), and shorten the grant clawback period from five years to one year to keep the nonprofit viable.
Miranda Kanji, representing Sensory Tent Pals, described the RV option as more modular and accessible. "This it has its own bathroom, so that it can address hygiene needs," Kanji said, adding that the RV includes a generator, refrigerator and more interior space than a 14-foot trailer would allow. Staff said the requested change does not alter the dollar amount of the grant but that insurance, maintenance and a shortened clawback raised stewardship questions.
Council members asked about training and insurance needs for driving and operating a larger vehicle; Kanji said the nonprofit has experience and that an RV would require less specialized towing training than a trailer. The mayor asked whether the nonprofit could comply with a shorter clawback; staff said a one-year requirement is typical for small nonprofits and the council indicated general consensus to proceed with the one-year clawback and the RV substitution, directing staff to finalize contract terms and address insurance and stewardship safeguards.
