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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-04-12 10-129 ORDERCOUNCIL ACTION Item No. Date: 4/12/2010 10 129 Item/Subject: Order, Authorizing Support for the Camp Bangor Program in an Amount not to Exceed $290 Responsible Department: City Council Commentary: Camp Bangor is a Libra Foundation funded program that provides scholarships for every student in 4th to 6th grade in the Bangor public schools to attend the Maine summer camp(s) of their choice. An annual Camp Fair, sponsored by Camp Bangor, allows students and their families the opportunity to review many different camp options at one time. The program also holds an annual Citywide Clean Up in which a majority of City parks are cleaned by children who receive these scholarships. City support for this program has been an important element of the Libra Foundation's continuing involvement. The City has provided financial support to this program in the past, including the purchase of t - shirts for campers, reduced rental rates at the Civic Center, and financial support for the barbeque that takes place immediately after the citywide cleanup. Over the years, United Way, the program's organizer, has obtained other funding for the t -shirts and the Civic Center rental. For the last four years, the only support requested from the City has been for the barbeque portion of the event. This year, 2010, will be the eleventh and final year of this program. During the first ten years of its existence it has provided nearly 8,000 children with nearly $6.3 million of summer camp experience. Department Head Manager's Comments: The City's strong support for this program was essential in Bangor's initial selection as one of the three Cities participating in it. This request was reviewed by the Finance CommiVillyi2a,0_1 p th, and the Committee unanimously recommends approval. Associated Information: Memo Reviewing Request and related application Budget Approval: Legal Approval: Introduced for X Passage First Reading Referral City Manager "l City Solicitor Page _ of _ 10 129 Assigned to Councilor— Bronson April 12, 2010 ^4 GIT'Y OF BANGOR '°O,q SE°�O�yzJ gTED,f (TITLE.) Order, Authorizing Support of the Camp Bangor Program in an Amount not to Exceed $290 By the City Council of the City of Bangor.• ORDERED, That the expenditure of up to $290 in existing budgeted funds within the City Council budget is hereby authorized in support of the Camp Bangor Program for expenses related to the barbecue following the annual City-wide clean up event. IN CITY COUNCIL April 12, 2010 CITY CLERK (TITLE0)-Anthnri7ing Support of the Camp Rmngnr Program in an Amount not to Assigned to Councilor_ � 10 129 To: City Councilors From: Debbie Cyr, Finance Director Date: March 29, 2010 Re: Request for Support of Camp Bangor The United Way of Eastern Maine on behalf of the Camp Bangor program has requested the City fund up to $290 for the barbeque celebration following the City Wide clean up. In accordance with the City's Funding of Non -Profit Organizations policy, a questionnaire was sent to the United Way asking for specific information related to this request and their response is attached. In order for this process to continue, I will need to hear from at least three Councilors, who support consideration of this request by April 2, 2010. If there is not sufficient support, the United Way will be informed that their request can not be considered at this time. Below is the criteria employed by the Finance Committee to evaluate such requests; 3.4.1 The extent to which City support is essential for the program or project to take place. Support should generally be provided only in instances where it is or is anticipated to be essential for the project or program to occur. 3.4.2 The benefit which the City or its residents will receive. This should include an evaluation of the need for the program and project an its anticipated immediate and long-term impact. 3.4.3 The number of City of Bangor residents to be directly benefited. The extent to which the program or project is open or available to the largest possible number of the class or targeted beneficiaries should be taken into account. Programs or projects which benefit small or select numbers of individuals shall generally be denied funding. Based upon the information provided and the historical sentiment of the Council as it relates to the funding of this event, this request does appear to meet our criteria for funding. The Camp Bangor program funded by the Libra Foundation makes $500 of scholarship money available to every 4th — 6th grade Bangor student. In addition to funding the barbecue in the past the City sponsored the event by waiving the rental fee at the Civic Center as well as purchased t -shirts. This will be the final year of the Camp Bangor program. Due to past Councilors concerns the United Way has been able to find sponsors for t -shirts and no longer looks to the City to waive the rental fee. United Way administers the program and the Libra Foundation funds the scholarships. The Foundation continues to place a high value on local involvement. If I can be of any further assistance, please feel free to contact me. 10 129 NON-PROFIT FUNDING REQUEST SPECIAL PROJECTS 2010 Date: March 22, 2010 Organization Name: United Way of Eastern Maine/Camp Bangor Request for: lith annual City Wide Clean Up. Total Amount Requested: $290.00 for The City Wide Clean Up & BBQ: 1. Briefly describe the special project or program for which funding is requested. Camp Bangor is a the Libra Foundation funded program that provides United Way with the extraordinary opportunity to furnish every 4th -6t'' grade student in the Bangor public schools with a scholarship to use at the Maine summer camp(s) of their choice. The Libra Foundation offers $500 to students currently enrolled in a Bangor Public School, grades four, five or six. To be eligible for the scholarship, students must meet the school department's good citizenship guidelines and perform community service. This will be the final year of the Camp Bangor Program. We appreciate the 11 years The Libra Foundation has helped the children of Bangor! As part of the scholarship program, we help to coordinate the Bangor City Wide Clean Up. We work closely with the City of Bangor public works and parks and recreation departments as well as Bangor Beautiful to hold a Citywide Cleanup in the spring to get the city's parks ready for summertime use and help the students meet their community service requirement. The City of Bangor has generously helped to fund the Barbeque Celebration portion of this event and we once again respectfully request financial support. 2. Please provide information on the number of individuals who will directly benefit from the project or program, including the number of Bangor residents. Last year, more than 150 children and parents on a beautiful May day participated in cleaning more than a dozen city parks and schoolyards as part of the Citywide Cleanup and barbecue. 3. Please provide information on the total cost of the project and program and other sources of funding already available or which are anticipated to be raised. The Libra Foundation provides the funding for the scholarship program and a percentage of the administrative costs with in-kind support from the United Way. For the past 10 years, The City of Bangor sponsored the Citywide Cleanup. This event is truly a community wide supported event. Pepsi Bottling Company in Hampden donates some of the beverages and other organizations discount many of the items needed. This year, we ask the City of Bangor to continue to support the City Wide Clean Up & Barbecue estimated at $290.00. This funding request not only helps us to cover costs associated with the City Wide Clean up and BBQ, but also demonstrate to The Libra Foundation the appreciation and support of the City of Bangor. 4. Specify and, to the extent possible, quantify the benefits which the City of Bangor or its residents, taken as a whole, may anticipate receiving from the project or program. 1 10 129 The Camp Bangor program provides extraordinary summer experiences to many children who otherwise would not have such opportunities. Instead of Bangor children spending their summer days at home, unsupervised or without structured activities, a majority of 4th -6t'' grade students will enjoy learning new skills, meeting youth and counselors from other parts of the state, country and world, increasing their own abilities and talents and experiencing brand new opportunities. Principals and teachers report that the program has been a useful tool to motivate students. Many parents have told us that their child returns from camp with a new maturity. Most impressive is that the Camp Bangor Scholarship Program distributed more than $238,000 into Maine's economy last year, almost half of that directed to Bangor organizations including the Bangor Parks and Recreation program, Husson University, the Maine Discovery Museum, Penobscot Theatre and Bangor Y. Since the scholarship program began in the summer of 2000, The Libra Foundation has invested more than 5.6 million dollars into Bangor Public School Children, ensuring their opportunity to have new and enriching summer experiences. The City Wide Clean Up provides an opportunity for Bangor youth to both fulfill their community service required by the scholarship as well as give back to their community in a very hands on way. 5. Please attach any other information that you feel would be helpful in evaluating this request or provide this information in the space below. United Way of Eastern Maine 2010 Camp Bangor City Wide Clean Up and BBQ Budget Sponsors: United Way of Eastern Maine - and requesting support from City of Bangor. Event: City Wide Clean Up Date: May 1. 2010 Purpose: To clean Bangor City parks and school yards and provide a community service activity for children & families participating in the Camp Bangor Scholarship Program. Expenses Estimated Actual 2010 2009 Hot dogs and Hamburgers $135.00 $139.50 Rolls, condiments, supplies, extra beverages etc... $75.00 $77.67 Ice $15.00 $14.34 latex gloves $15.00 $12.42 Beverages -10 cases donated by Pepsi $0.00 $0.00 Chips -donated by Flick Dining Services at EMCC $0.00 $0.00 Grill (donated use by Bangor Parks and Recreation) $0.00 $151.15 Porta Potty (discounted) $50.00 $50.00 Total Expenses 2009 Bangor City Wide $290.00 $445.08 2 10 129 Clean Up Name of Authorized Representative: Sara M. Yasner Address: 24 Springer Drive, Ste. 201, Bangor, ME 04401 Telephone: 941-2800, ext. 212 EMail: saray@unitedwayem.org Upon receipt of this request, it will be forwarded to the members of the City Council for their review. If, within seven days, three or more members of the Council indicate that they are interested in considering the request, it will be forwarded to the Finance Committee for its consideration and recommendation. If recommended by Finance, a final decision on funding will be made by the full City Council. Applicants will be notified of the date and time of the Finance Committee meeting. If less than three members of the Council indicate that they are interested in considering the request, the applicant will be notified that the request will not be considered. Councilor Signatures (three signatures are required in order for this request to proceed) 3