HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 1e: Target Grant of $27,000 for Recreation and Community Services Department and Library ProgramsSUMMARY
DISCUSSION
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STAFF REPORT
Library and Museum Services Department
DATE: February 2, 2010
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Carolyn Garner - Reagan, Library and Museum Services Director CA-8R—
Sara Somogyi, Recreation and Community Services Director S(
SUBJECT: Grants from Target of $27,000 for Recreation & Community Services
Department and Arcadia Public Library Programs
Recommendation: Accept the grants
Target has awarded grants to the Recreation and Community Services Department and
the Arcadia Public Library totaling $27,000. The Recreation and Community Services
Department has received $22,000 to fund the Summer Concerts and the Library has
received $5,000 to purchase equipment to use to promote early childhood literacy
during the 2010 Summer Reading Program storytimes.
In May 2009, Library Services Manager Darlene Bradley applied for a grant from Target
for $3,000 for equipment to promote early childhood literacy. Although that grant was
rejected, Target Community Relations staff member Jan O'Laughlin contacted Ms.
Bradley in December 2009 and asked her to re -apply for a grant. This revised grant
included early childhood literacy materials originally requested and some additional
items that help make storytimes engaging and fun. Items were requested to replace
and augment materials the Library already has. Staff specifically listed items that touch
all a toddler's five senses, thus promoting the love of reading, language and books:
oversized picture books, manipulatives, audiovisual equipment, puppets, and story
props.
In December 2009, Ms. 0' Laughlin also contacted Director of Recreation and
Community Services, Sara Somogyi and invited her to apply for a grant. As part of the
grant, Target would be promoted in the title of the event. The proposed title submitted
on the grant application was: Target Free Summer Concerts in Arcadia. The Target
logo would be included into current Concert in the Park logo for promotion. Target
would also be recognized on all printed materials and in all press related articles.
Target is also willing to provide volunteers to assist with the operation of the Target Free
Summer Concerts in Arcadia.
FISCAL IMPACT
For the Library, there is no impact to the City's budget. The Library Board approves
expenditures of all donations.
In Recreation and Community Services Department, the Concert in the Park program is
out of the general fund budget. The amount budgeted last year was $12,000. In
addition, the program was supplemented with sponsorships from Arcadia Transit in the
amount of $5,000 and Waste Management in the amount of $3,000. The expenses for
the Concert in the Park program is typically split between two fiscal years because of
the time frame the program is offered. For example, the marketing material to promote
the series is purchased one fiscal year and the entertainment the next fiscal year. If the
Target grant is accepted, funds from the grant will be used over a two fiscal year period,
with the cost savings to the general fund totaling $12,000.
The savings creates a potential opportunity for staff to explore the option to purchase a
much needed new stage for the concert series with the saving to the general budget
from the Target grant. Staff will be presenting this option to the City Council in the near
future.
The Target grant for the concert program was awarded in the amount of $22,000. This
amount will allow the program to be upgraded which will include a higher quality of
entertainment, marketing materials and enhanced kid's fun zone and giveaways.
RECOMMENDATION:
Accept the grants from Target of $27,000 for Recreation & Community Services
Department and Arcadia Public Library Programs
Approved by:
Donald Penman, City Manager
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