ADMINISTRATION - Joe Huss, Finance Director
Title
AUTHORIZE EXPENDITURE OF UP TO $100,000 IN MATCHING FUNDS FOR VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK FROM THE CITY’S STRATEGIC PRIORITIES FUND
Background
On April 1, 2019 the City Council accepted a check for $2,648,000 from the North Suburban Hospital District. The check represents Blaine’s share of funds remaining after the dissolution of the hospital district. At the May 6, 2019 Workshop, the Council consensus regarding these funds was to (1) place the funds in a separate fund to be used pursuant to Council priorities as established at a later date and (2) set aside or earmark $100,000 of the proceeds to be used as a matching grant to assist in funding for the new Veterans Memorial Park.
At the September 9, 2019 Workshop, Council provided direction regarding parameters for the release of the matching funds for Veterans Park and requested that Steve Guider, the Chair of the Veterans Memorial Park Committee (VMPC) and the guiding proponent behind the initiative to build the park, appear before the Council to provide an update on both the status of the park as well as fund-raising efforts to date. The VMPC was established as a 501(c)(3) organization for the purpose of securing donations, grants, and other funds to be used to construct the memorial and oversee the construction of the park.
Pursuant to Mr. Guider’s update, the City Council is prepared to adopt a resolution authorizing the payment of funds to the Veterans Memorial Park committee that incorporates the following conditions:
1. Proof of receipt - Matching funds will be released to the VMPC upon actual receipt (rather than a pledge) of funds from donors into a dedicated account to be used for the construction of the park. As proof of receipt, the VMPC will submit a bank statement to the City prior to funds being released.
2. The VMPC will also provide the City with documentation that construction or other service contracts for which the donated funds are to be used are in place before the City will release funds.
3. Deadline - The City Council’s initial pledge to provide matching funds will expire one year from the adoption of the following resolution, at which time the Council may consider extending the matching pledge for a period to be determined at the time of extension.
Recommendation
Adopt the following resolution authorizing the release of matching funds to the Veterans Memorial Park Committee.
Body
WHEREAS, in April 2019 the City of Blaine received $2,648,000 in proceeds from the dissolution of the North Suburban Hospital District; and
WHEREAS, in May 2019 the Blaine City Council directed that $100,000 of the proceeds from the dissolution of the hospital district be earmarked as a matching grant to assist in funding the Veterans Memorial Park; and
WHEREAS, in September 2019 the Blaine City Council established conditions as to the release of funds to the Veterans Memorial Park Committee.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Blaine City Council authorizes the release of up to $100,000 of funds from the City’s Strategic Priorities Fund upon the following conditions:
1. That funds will be matched dollar-for-dollar for funds collected and deposited into a bank account in the name and under the control of the Veterans Memorial Park Committee for the purpose of the development of the Blaine Veterans Memorial Park.
2. That contracts for development and improvements to the park or invoices for actual work performed in the development or construction of the park be submitted to the City of Blaine.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this authorization will expire within one year of the adoption of this resolution; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, if in one year from the date of the adoption of this resolution, no funds have been released to the Veterans Memorial Park Committee, the Blaine City Council may consider an extension of the authorization of the release of funds pursuant to the conditions contained in this resolution.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Blaine this 7th day of October, 2019.