February 22, 2024
COMMUNITY BENEFITS COMMITTEE
BUDGET PLANS FOR $750,000
Background
-Developer Center Court has indicated it will give the CSHCA $750k for whatever purpose CSHCA wants. No “Strings Attached”
-However, the BPDA now wants Center Court to give Uphams Corner based Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation (DBEDC), a non-profit developer, the $750k, not the CSHCA. The reasoning is that DBEDC is a 501C3 while CSHCA is still pursing the non-profit status (501C4 for a civic association.) (note: DBEDC was founded by several CSHCA members in 1978 to address the rampant problems with disinvestment and shabby properties in the area. DBEDC has developed about 1,300 units of mostly low income housing, invested millions of dollars in local businesses (eg McKennas) and operates multiple programs for seniors, youth and under-employed residents. Today, most of their work is focused around Uphams Corner.
-DBEDC would be open to accepting the $750k and developing joint efforts working with CSHCA. Details need to be worked out.
-Community Benefits Committee will not determine budget authorizations. Our role is to establish the guidelines for budget spending and the new procedures for managing large funds (eg $750k).
-CSHCA Executive Board (Ex Bd) will be responsible for receiving CSHCA committees’ requests for budget allocations and for packaging a full budget for the CSHCA, including individual committee allocations.
-Ex Bd will submit its budget in December for CSHCA membership approval, modifications or rejection.
-Ex Bd will monitor monthly expenditures and make adjustments as needed.
-CSHCA Byb Laws will need to be amended to reflect new procedures.
BUDGET GOALS
-Use $750k funding to:
1. strengthening the CSHCA community by
-creating opportunities for residents to meet and work with eachother
-informing residents of issues facing the community
-supporting residents in awareness and use of available local services
2. enabling the CSHCA to develop, and implement, actions to advocate for our interests with developers, the city and state
3. invest funds in specific local projects that will enhance neighborhood beautification, safety and liveability
BUDGET GUIDELINES
- Spread the $750k over 3 years ($250k/yr). Note the year would be 1/1/xx to 12/31/xx. This year would be the $250k reduced by the months passed before we start spending, eg if we start spending in June 2024, we would actually budget $250k times 7/12 (the 7 remaining months left in 2024).
- Plan to allocate $100k on “external” activities such as hiring a staff person or one, or more, consultants to work on issues created by “outsiders” such as developers, city or state government agencies or non civic organizations. Three of the CSHCA committees would be responsible for developing the ideas for spending the $100k; the Executive Board, the Community Benefits and the Government Affairs (new) committees. Some examples of issues are new BPDA rules and regulations, the Morrissey Boulevard Commission, Comprehensive Planning and Infrastructure Funding and joining the Point Partners group. (Point Partners are the businesses and institutions on Columbia Point including BC High, UMass Boston, JFK, EMK, and the big developers. The Point Partners already meet but they have not wanted to invite civic associations to join them.)
- Plan to allocate $125k on “internal” activities such as hiring a staff person or consultant to literally follow through on the specific tasks coming from committee decisions, such as organizing and staffing local events, canvassing the neighborhood with information, using electronic means to canvass, communicate and learn, functioning as a community resource on multiple issues, becoming very “nosey”, visible and approachable and ensuring that, generally, what the CSHCA wants to do gets done. The committees that will create the desired activities are the Executive Board, Planning, Beautification, Events, Health Services (new), Safety, and Outreach/Engagement committees. Examples of activities could be a Dorchester Ave Main Street Program, promoting local businesses and services, organizing parties, events and meeting/greeting opportunities and investing in physical things (trees, plants, etc).
- Any committee that seeks funding will submit its requests to the Executive Board which will be responsible for allocating, and maintaining, our budget. No guarantee that committee requests will be granted but they must be discussed.
- Plan to allocate $25k on administrative/organization items such as accounting services, insurance and other needs.