Home » Brentwood Approves $177k in Economic Development Grants

Brentwood Approves $177k in Economic Development Grants

by CC News
Brentwood Chamber

At its May 23 meeting, the Brentwood city council approved its 23/24 Economic Development Grant Program in amount of $176,744. The approval also provided $5k towards the Downtown Brentwood Coalition for the Light Up the Night – 4th of July Drone Show.

The council decision to approve the grants didn’t come without debate, moving funding around and an upset Brentwood Chamber of Commerce who thought certain members of the council were playing favorites after comments were made by Jovita Mendoza regarding a chamber event being being fake or making her feel like it was “culturally appropriation”

Back in February,  where the Land Use and Development Committee updated its grant scoring system and processes before reviewing applications in May and making recommendations to the full council for review.

The funding comes from a 2002 general election vote that takes 20% of business license tax revenues to be reserved for economic development purposes. The Economic Development Grant Program allows local organizations to receive grants for activities that promote Brentwood and attract shopping and tourism to the city. To receive a grant, applicants must submit a completed grant application detailing the project, the estimated budget, and other key information as described in the program’s Guidelines and Application Packet.

City Council has previously approved five (5) priority projects for fiscal years 2022-23 and 2023-24 for a total of $77,671 as listed in the table below.

  • Holiday Parade (Chamber of Commerce) – $8,442
  • Hometown Halloween (Chamber of Commerce) – $3,939
  • Summer Concert Series (City of Brentwood) – $47,890
  • Annual Tree Lighting & movies in Park (City of Brentwood) – $7,400
  • Harvest Time Annual Trail Map (Harvest Time in Brentwood) – $10,000

There is $176,744 available for competitive cycle grants in FY 2023/24. The application period for the Economic Development Grants opened on March 20, 2023, and closed on April 17, 2023. A total of seventeen (17) applications were received, totaling $307,847 in requests for funding.

A staff committee, consisting of the Assistant City Manager, Economic Development Manager, and Senior Analyst, reviewed all applications, confirming their completeness and adherence to the City’s grant eligibility requirements. All the grants from last year are currently being reviewed by the city’s auditors for grant program eligibility and accuracy in the reimbursement information provided.

(Note – this is as in the staff report, not after council changes)

Project/Event Organization Applicant
Requested
Funding
Staff
Recommended
Funding
LUD
Recommended
Funding
Banner UP! Art Guild of the Delta,
Inc
$12,793 $10,000 $10,000
Brentwood Car Show in the Park Community Initiatives/ODAT $16,500 $6,000 $3,000
Brentwood Diwali Mela 2023 United Indian Association $20,000 $9,000 $7,000
Brentwood History
Through Time Banners
and Downtown
Brentwood Walking Tour
East Contra Costa
Historical Society
$5,600 $2,500 $2.500
Brentwood on Ice Got a Party $50,000 $23,000 $23,000
Brentwood Turkey Trot for Schools Brentwood Turkey Trot for Schools $30,973 $22,000 $22,000
Celebrating Brentwood Brentwood Chamber of Commerce $5,000 $1,500 $1,500
Children’s Wellness Fair East County Performing Arts $20,000 $4,000 $4,000
Delta Quilters Guild 2023 Quilt Show Delta Quilters Guild $3,800 $3,000 $3,000
Dia De Los Muertos Azucar Candies and More $28,000 $20,000 $22,000
Festival 10 – A Treasury
of 10-Minute Plays
Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble $16,775 $8,000 $8,000
La Gran Fiesta Brentwood Chamber of Commerce $19,206 $9,000 $4,744
Light up the Night – 4th
of July Drone Show*
Downtown Brentwood Coalition $12,150 $11,000 $11,000
Oktoberfest Downtown Brentwood Coalition $36,783 $30,000 $35,000
Ready Set Pick Chamon Kabob $4,500 $3,000 $3,000
We Love Local Downtown Brentwood Coalition $8,000 $4,744 $7,000
2024 East Bay Business
Expo & Job Fair
Brentwood Chamber of Commerce $10,000 $10,000 $10,000
Totals $307,874 $176,744 $176,744

Council Recap

During public comments, some members of the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce took issue with how some of the grants were awarded as well as some of the comments made by Brentwood Councilmembers during the February Land Use Committee meeting.

Chamber Director Tony Aguliar spoke about his request for the  La Gran Fiesta calling last years event celebrating Hispanic cultures a success and the money was needed for entertainment. He explained he wanted to bring something to the community rather than travel to Oakland or San Jose to celebrate our Hispanic culture.

“The 2022 event was not just an event for Mexican families, this is for all Latino/Hispanic traditions, cultures. For 2023, this grant going over and beyond to exceed what we provided last year we are looking for this grant to provide a stage, sound and live band,” said Aguilar — noting the grant would allow them to bring in a stage for performers, food vendors, car show, free kids zone and make it an even better community event.

“Sorry I get emotional, but I feel that there is a lot of push back from some individuals with some of the commentary that is made, especially February during the Land Use Committee where City Councilmember Mendoza said she felt that you were culturally appropriation because you said that 30% of my vendors were only going to be Latino,” stated Aguilar. “I am not including Brentwood PD that was there, the marines recruit depot, East Contra Costa Historical Society, and some of the bigger vendors, only one vendor was non-Latino and I am happy for them to be a part of our event and invite non-Latinos to also apply who want to celebrate our traditions and our culture and I want to tell you that it is false that I was only going to accept 30% of my vendors. Another comment during the February Land Use Meeting, was the Chamber of Commerce does not represent the Latino Community so is this a fake event. I want to say this is not a fake event, we represent the business community so when we have 30-40 businesses participating, We are giving them a platform to showcase their traditions that they may practice at home but also give them a chance to get in front of the Latino community. We have expect to get 5,000 individuals at our event and would love to get a stage so our performers as young as 4-years-old can dance in front of their grandparents and be able to bring a band or live entertainment so I can go out to the community and get businesses to support my idea.”

Denise Duran, president of the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce, thanked the City Council for the support and highlighted the benefits the Chamber is providing to the community, but urged the council to take another look at the La Gran Fiesta because it was forgotten.

Karri Reiser, the president-elect for the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce, thanked the council and staff for attending chamber events but many events will help them advocate and grow strong businesses in Brentwood.

Greg Robinson shared he thought it was interesting that two events got more funding than what staff suggested by the Land Use committee noting one councilmember made sure the Dia De Los Muertos event was talked about while another cultural event by the Brentwood Chamber got slashed in funding.

“I didn’t want to bring this up but its becoming more prevalent and there is evidence that you have a councilperson who’s sister is on the committee of this other event and this councilperson should have done what the other councilwoman did in recuse herself,” said Robinson. “But its also the spirit of the law. So if your sister is apart of this I don’t know how you can consciously recommend that they get more money and take it away from another group that you vocally showed lack of support for in the chamber of commerce.”

Robinson urged the council to follow the staff recommendation and take out the politics and personalities.

Councilwoman Jovita Mendoza wanted to clarify the conflict of interest statement said her sister could have applied for many city grants, which she did not, but did not because of the conflict of interest and applies through other cities.

She explained that Miguel asked her for help and if she is asked, her sister will help someone and just because she helped with an event does not mean its her event.

She also replied to Aguliar statement saying she only brought up the 30% figure because that was what was in the application.

Mayor Joel Bryant then called for the city to display the spreadsheet to go through the recommendations.

“The origin of this economic development grant, the criteria is defined by the name which is economic development grant and to increase the potential for economic development in our local businesses, attract events that attract people not just from Brentwood but from outside the area,” explained Bryant. “It’s a hard job, this is not easy to decide who gets what, but there are some things that bring economic development, but building community to me is an absolute essential component of making a community stronger.”

Bryant stated the diversity of cultural events in the community not only celebrates the beauty of various cultures, but it allows a coming together of the entire community.

“We learn something about our neighbors and their cultures, we see the beauty of it,” said Bryant highlighting colorful events such as costumes, celebrations, dances, foods, activities. “All of it is something that makes Brentwood stronger as a community and a city. It’s important for us to support cultural events.”

He noted some come more than 50-miles away and its outside revenue coming in that otherwise would not come in.

“The value is hard to measure the economic benefit to it because its not just downtown that they are spending the money,” says Bryant. “They are visiting businesses all across the community.”

Mendoza then cut into Bryant’s comments jumping right into grant awards asking they talk about Oktoberfest which was overfunded.

“$35k for Oktoberfest was because the DBC makes more money off a Moms Night Out, they don’t make much money off this kind of an event, but this event is a Brentwood tradition” stated Mendoza. “If we don’t fund it, its not going to happen.”

She stated the event brings in more than 15,000 people and it was worth it to them to fund it.

“With Day of the Dead, it wasn’t me who gave $22k, it was not me, I know people are assuming it was me, it wasn’t me who made that call,” stated Mendoza. “It was someone else on the committee. But it increased business for everyone up and down Brentwood Blvd. after the event. We felt those two increased economic development most in the area.”

Mendoza further explained two items that were different which was “We Love Local” and “Ready, Set, Pick” which are online Apps and new ways to drive business so they wanted to see how it goes this year.

“They are going to give us reporting,” said Mendoza.

Vice Mayor Susannah Meyer shared they focused on economic development, crowds brought in and who was receiving money for multiple projects versus just one and new applicants.

“One of the things we are not allowed to consider as a point in the point system was anything cultural because as much as we wanted to do that, it was not okay to do that,” explained Meyer.

Assistant City Manager Darin Gale explained there was a state law that prohibits disturbing funds based on race and religion.

“Initially, we tried to use this to bring in more cultural events but we were told you can’t use that as your rating system,” said Meyer who explained the process and stood by what they selected.

Mendoza also explained her stance on the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce.

“I think there is a misconception that we don’t support the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce. I don’t go to ribbon cuttings, I am not going to do that, I know you are asking for that, but that is not going to happen. We do give them a discount, they just got a bigger space in our building and a discount on the rent.”

She noted they also buy a table at the event that the city is also funding.

“How do we spread the wealth with other organizations as well because the same is we are taking away from them but we Cottle them and why don’t they get office space,” said Mendoza. “There are people who come in the other way. So we are trying to be fair. We as a city do a lot for the chamber.”

Councilmember Tony Oerlemans stated he didn’t want to take money from any of the events.

“I think its unfair we are going to fund Oktoberfest with extra money just because it’s a tradition in Brentwood but we are not giving Gran Fiesta to become a tradition in Brentwood,” stated Oerlemans. “If we are going to just live off the traditions we have made, then how are we going to change or grow with the people when the community around us is changing and when that ethnic groups, and I know it has nothing to do with ethnicity, but when those groups begin to change in our community, the things we celebrate the events we have should change with them.”

Oerlemans stated he was confused over the conflict in funding between Gran Fiesta and Day of the Dead which are both amazing Hispanic events.

“It seems counter productive to boost one and not support another one. It just seems looking at it to see a cut of nearly 50% of what staff recommended for one event, it just seems, I am not saying it is, it just seems like it could be sour grapes somewhere in there,” said Oerlemans.

Mendoza responded stating the Brentwood Blvd is why they chose to fund it the way they did and what would drive economic development in other areas.

“It was economic development around Brentwood Blvd and we don’t have anything else around Brentwood Blvd,” said Mendoza. “We were hoping to get more events on Brentwood Blvd and the Veterans area and Lone Tree Way. We are trying to get more events out of downtown because downtown is doing well and healthy but we are seeing other areas struggle. The Day of the Dead, we want to support Brentwood Blvd.”

She shared that the downtown has events every weekend and the city needed to begin looking at other areas to support in Brentwood.

Meyer added the applicant for the Day of the Dead applied for 1 event whereas the Chamber of Commerce applied for multiple events.

Bryant stated he was happy to see that a “historically under celebrated side of town gets some economic development” and that Brentowod Blvd is old Brentwood and was glad to see some boost.

“I would like to consider taking some of the funds from Otkoberfest and give to Gran Fiesta which would still leave $30k and give the La Gran Fiesta what staff recommended so both of those events can be celebrated,” asked Bryant.

Oerlemans stated they didn’t have to take it all from one fund, they could take from several events and move it to Gran Fiesta or Brentwood Car Show is half of what they put in.

“There is also a different ways to skin that cut by taking from several different events to move money into La Gran fiesta or anywhere else where we saw fit. I am not saying take it all out of Oktoberfest, its an amazing event, I volunteered at Oktoberfest last year, it was a great event, a lot of fun, a lot of people enjoying it from all over the bay area. I am not saying take all the money away from them, can we take a $1,000 away and then from some of the small groups and just move it around to make it more equitable to maybe start a brand new tradition,” stated Oerlemans.

Mendoza called it a difficult exercise and part of the criteria was what events would not happen if they did not fund it.

The council and staff had some back and forth in moving some funds round, including Brentwood on Ice volunteering $1k back to Gran Fiesta.

Mendoza then interjected.

“I am going to say something that people are not going to be happy with me right now but I want to help events that will not happen if we don’t fund them,” stated Mendoza. “The Chamber, you guys add to your savings and last time I looked at your tax returns you were up to $100k every year. So that is why for me, I don’t feel like we risk it by not doing it, I am at a loss when I look at the financials. I wanted to help people who needed it and people with the cushion that could cover it, I felt like that is okay. If you pull their taxes from every single year, you will see every year they are building their savings and I don’t know what it is for.”

She continued by stating some people do not have a savings account for events and most are year-to-year.

Bryant stated he appreciated Mendoza and Meyer walking their rational as Mendoza explained as more people find out about the grants, future disbursements will get more difficult because more people will be asking for funding.

The changes made by the council increased funding for La Gran Fiesta which took $1k from Brentwood on Ice and $1k and $1k from Festival 10.

Meyer then proposed getting La Gran Fiesta an additional $4k by taking $1k from Brentwood on Ice, Oktoberfest, Chamber Expo and De Los Muertos.  She said she didn’t want to take away from the plays because of the families and kids. She also wanted to give Ready Set Pick and We Love Local the best opportunity to do what they intend to do.

Bryant called it pretty fair.

Oerlemans agreed.

“I am not saying it wasn’t in the first place, I wouldn’t want the job to do this, thank god when I asked to be on LAD you said no… but it seems a little more equitable and a little easier to swallow for everybody this way,” said Oerlemans.

The council approved the approval of grants awards with amendments by the council that night in a 4-0 vote which also includes a $5k payment to Light Up the Night.

Watch the Meeting:

Note – due to a potential conflict of interest, councilwoman PA’Tanisha Pierson recused herself from the discussion as one of her clients had applied for a grant. Meanwhiile, the chamber is required to keep a 1-years worth of income as part of their operation which is why they have a high balance in their bank account.

Staff Report

For upcoming events in the City of Brentwood and around Contra Costa County, visit our event calendar.

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1 comment

Paxton June 1, 2023 - 12:29 pm

Unbelievable that Jovita Mendoza openly admits she will not show up for ribbon cuttings. This lady is responsible for awarding economic development grants? Doesn’t she know new business = more economic development grants?

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