REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: GEORGEANNE A. WHITE, City Manager Office of the Mayor & City Manager BY: JENNIFER RUIZ, Deputy City Manager Office of the Mayor & City Manager SUBJECT ..Title Actions pertaining to Commercial Cannabis Activity: 1. ***RESOLUTION - Defining the goals of the community benefit fund of the City of Fresno (Subject to Mayor's Veto) ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that City Council approve the resolution to establish the goals of the community benefit fund, as referenced by Fresno Municipal Code (FMC) section 7-1403. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Fresno Municipal Code (FMC) section 7-1403 requires the establishment of a Community Benefit Fund to receive (10%) of the total cannabis business license tax received by the City. These funds will be allocated according to the goals set by this City Council resolution and with consideration of the recommendations provided by the Community Benefit Commission (see FMC 7-1404). BACKGROUND The Fresno Municipal Code (FMC) section 7-1403 requires the establishment of a Community Benefit Fund to receive (10%) of the total cannabis business license tax received by the City. These funds will be allocated according to the goals set by this City Council resolution. FMC Section 7-1404 established a Community Benefit Commission, a 9 member Board, yet to be appointed, comprised of two appointees of the Mayor and one appointment from each Council District. The purpose of the commission is to recommend allocation of the revenues received into the Community Benefit Fund pursuant to the goals set forth by Council. The recommended allocations will consist of internal City projects that meet the goals defined in the resolution which include: 1. Improve infrastructure and enhance community beautification and public safety efforts in the City in the vicinity of commercial cannabis business locations and other low-income areas. 2. Support citywide efforts to analyze and improve social equity in economic development, health, and transportation needs. 3. Enhance and expand citywide efforts focused on youth development, engagement, and prevention. The Commission's budget recommendations will be subject to the City of Fresno budgeting process and City Council approval. Applications for the Community Benefit Commission are currently being accepted on the City Clerk's website. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS Pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, this item is not a project for the purposes of CEQA. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference was not considered because this is not a competitive bid. FISCAL IMPACT The resolution establishes the goals for the community benefit fund future appropriations. Attachment: Resolution