Staff Report - 22-435 - Resolution for California Coastal Commission Whale Tail Grant

Sep 19, 2026

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Staff Report for the City of Hemet City Council meeting dated Oct 25, 2022, requests adoption of a resolution approving an application to the California Coastal Commission WHALE TAIL grant and authorizing the City Manager to execute all required documents. The Public Works Department, in coordination with the Hemet Public Library, proposes hands-on, interactive educational outreach focused on water conservation and coastal stewardship for diverse communities, with outreach tools including a touchscreen, infographics, QR codes, and take-home materials. The proposed maximum award is $50,000.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Staff Report

Meeting and Submission Details

Consent Calendar / Recommended Action

Title and Resolution Request

Background

Analysis and Program Rationale

Discussion

Strategic Plan Integration

Fiscal Impact

City of Hemet City Council Meeting STAFF REPORT Meeting: City Council Meeting-Oct 25 2022 Department: Public Works Submitted by: Eddie Pust, Interim City Manager Noah Rau, Public Works Director/City Engineer; ☐ Receive and File ☒ Consent Calendar ☐ Business Item ☐ Public Hearing TITLE: A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Approving an Application for the California Coastal Commission, Whale Tail Grant in the Amount of $50,000.00 and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute All Documents RECOMMENDED ACTION: It is respectfully recommended that the City Council: Adopt a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Hemet, California, Approving an Application for California Coastal Commission, Whale Tail Grant in the amount of $50,000.00 and Authorizing the City Manager to execute all documents. BACKGROUND: The California Coastal Commission has announced the availability of funds for projects that connect children and the general public to the California Coast and its watersheds through education and outreach. ANALYSIS: The City of Hemet Public Works Department, in coordination with the Hemet Public Library, is applying for this year’s WHALE TAIL® grant program. Approximately $2 million will be distributed in the 2022/23 grant cycle, with a maximum award of $50,000 for projects related to the coast and ocean. This program is supported by sales of the WHALE TAIL® Coastal Protection License Plate and donations to the Protect Our Coast and Oceans Fund listed on the California state tax form. In 2021, funds were also allocated for this program through the state budget. The WHALE TAIL® License Plate is an official specialty license plate issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Proceeds from sales of the plate benefit the California Coastal Commission's Adopt-A-Beach® Program, California Coastal Cleanup Day, and a wide variety of environmental projects throughout the state. The Protect Our Coast and Oceans Fund is a "tax checkoff" fund listed on the California state tax form, offering taxpayers the option to provide voluntary donations of any amount. Proceeds from contributions to this fund specifically benefit the WHALE TAIL® Grants Program. Since the WHALE TAIL® Grants Program began in 1998, it has awarded $18.3 million to 867 projects. The City's application will include hands-on learning; positive nature experiences; longer and/or repeated experiences with opportunities for reflection, age-appropriate content and delivery; strategies for long-term positive impacts (which might stem from educational outcomes or aspects such as leadership development opportunities or family involvement; and/or strong evidence for the ecological need and projected improvement) . The project will engage communities that have historically received fewer marine education and stewardship opportunities, such as communities with low incomes; Black communities; Indigenous communities; communities of color; speakers of languages other than English; people with disabilities; foster and transition-age youth; LGBTQIA+ youth; and residents of rural and/or inland areas. The Hemet Public Library has had 628,501 visitors in the last 5 years with 6,225 Library cardholders under the age of 18. The Library is utilized by both the Hemet and San Jacinto communities and residents living in the county areas surrounding both cities. The Library offers significant space to create an interactive experience for all ages. Funds used through the WHALE TAIL® grant program will allow opportunities to create an interactive display that can be used on a daily basis, as well as utilized for field trips designed around water-related topics. The use of new and innovative technologies will also encourage typically non-users to frequent Hemet's Public Library. DISCUSSION: The criteria of the grant strongly encourage projects that engage communities that have historically received fewer opportunities fo

FAQs

What decision is being requested in the staff report?

The City Council is asked to adopt a resolution approving the WHALE TAIL grant application to the California Coastal Commission and authorize the City Manager to execute all documents.

Which department and partners will carry out the proposed project?

The City of Hemet Public Works Department will coordinate with the Hemet Public Library, and collaborate with Riverside County Watershed Protection, Eastern Municipal Water District, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, and Lake Hemet Municipal Water District.

What is the intended focus of the interactive educational display?

The display will help audiences learn about water conservation, water hydrology, storm water pollution prevention, watershed protection, and impacts on the Pacific Ocean, using interactive and educational take-home materials.

Sep 19, 2026

Upload by McQueen