REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Championship Team Funding for Wilcox Robotics
Report
BACKGROUND
On February 26, 2018, the City received a request from Wilcox Robotics, an afterschool program at Wilcox High School, for $2,000 in funding through its Championship Team Funding program. Council approval is required to authorize the request.
DISCUSSION
Wilcox Robotics is competing in the First Tech Challenge West Super-Regional Championship in Spokane, WA, on March 9-11, 2018. They are seeking financial assistance from the City to send fourteen (14) students and two (2) coaches/chaperones to represent Santa Clara.
The request meets the funding criteria in the City of Santa Clara Guidelines for Funding Assistance through the Championship Team Fund:
• The funds requested for the event are in association with a specific state, national or international competition/performance.
• Teams or groups should either be from Santa Clara schools or have at least 50% of the participating youth be Santa Clara residents.
• City support is not to exceed 20% of allowable trip expenses and may not exceed $10,000 per year, per group, subject to availability of funds. Allowable trip expenses include the following: (a) Registration; (b) Hotel; (c) Transportation; and (d) food expenses. Per Diem food expense is $11 per participant/per day or 20% of meal costs, whichever is lower. Allowable trip expenses are for the participating students and coaches/chaperones. The students-to-coach/chaperone ratio is six students to one coach/chaperone. No other miscellaneous expenses are reimbursable.
Trip expenses for Wilcox Robotics are estimated at $10,000. Expenses include registration, transportation, lodging, and food. Consistent with the City’s Championship Team Fund program, based on their application Wilcox Robotics is eligible to receive the $2,000 in funding assistance.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(a) as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The 2017-2018 budget includes $36,000 for championship funding. There is currently $3,985 remaining in this funding category. The request from Wilcox Robotics is for $2,000 which will leave a remaining balance of $1,985 to support additional championship team events.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office beginning the Thursday evening before the Tuesday meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Approve the Contribution Agreement with Wilcox Robotics for Championship Team Funding in an amount not-to-exceed $2,000 for fiscal year 2017-2018.
Staff
Prepared by: Christine Jung, Management Analyst
Reviewed by: Angela Kraetsch, Director of Finance
Reviewed by: Ruth Shikada, Assistant City Manager
Reviewed by: Brian Doyle, City Attorney
Approved by: Walter C. Rossmann, Chief Operating Officer
ATTACHMENTS
1. Wilcox Robotics Championship Team Funding Application
2. Contribution Agreement with Wilcox Robotics