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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 1e: Target Grant of $27,000 for Recreation and Community Services Department and Library ProgramsSUMMARY DISCUSSION Page 1 of 2 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 Page 2 of 2