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
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(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.
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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
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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)
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