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CC - CONSENT ITEM: Approval of Culver City Amateur Radio Emergency Service (CCARES) to Proceed with the Incorporation of “Friends of CCARES” as a 501(c)(3) Public Benefits Corporation as Being Consistent with the 1995 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Between the City and CCARES.
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Meeting Date: July 8, 2024
Contact Person/Dept.: Christine Parra/Fire Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-5909
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (07/02/2024)
Department Approval: Kenneth Powell, Fire Chief (06/13/2024)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve Culver City Amateur Radio Emergency Service (CCARES)’s plan to form a separate public benefits 501(c)(3) corporation to help fund CCARES’ activities as being consistent with the 1995 MOU between the City and CCARES.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
CCARES is an unincorporated group of Federal Communications Commission (FCC)-licensed amateur radio operators (“Hams”) living, working, or otherwise connected with the City who have banded together to provide public safety and emergency communications. Those safety-related communications occurring primarily during local and regional emergencies, such as earthquakes and floods. At other times, CCARES provides training for its members and maintains a relationship with the Culver City Emergency Response Team (CERT).
In August 1995, the City formally recognized CCARES by way of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) (Attachment 1) governing the relationship between the City and CCARES. That MOU continues in effect at this time, some 29 years since its inception.
Within the City, the Fire Department provides CCARES with physical space and limited staff support to facilitate CCARES training and disaster communications functions. Additionally, CCARES is provided with space at the City’s communications site to house the CCARES Ham radio repeater, which is a primary communications device used during training and emergencies.
CCARES has determined that grant funding and donation support is available to help offset the day-to-day operational costs incurred by its members and to expand CCARES support of City residents during emergencies, but that funding is commonly only available to public benefit corporations recognized as providing public benefits.
CCARES, at its own cost and expense, proposes to create and incorporate “Friends of CCARES” as a 501(c)(3) public benefits corporation so that it may secure grants and donations.
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed the proposed incorporation document for Friends of CCARES to be filed with the California Secretary of State and determined that the stated purpose of that entity is consistent with the MOU.
Out of respect for long-standing relationship with the City and the Fire Department, CCARES Board of Directors now seeks the City Council’s approval of its plan to form Friends of CCARES as described above as being consistent with the MOU.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no financial impact on the City associated with the City’s determination as to consistency with the MOU.
ATTACHMENTS
2024-07-08 - ATT MOU between the City of Culver City and CCARES
MOTIONS
That the City Council:
Approve the incorporation by CCARES of “Friends of CCARES” as a public benefits 501(c)(3) corporation as being consistent with the 1995 MOU between the City and CCARES.