LEGISLATIVE ACTION ITEM
SPONSOR: City Council Member Charles Bare
SUBJECT:
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DISCRETIONARY FUNDING ALLOCATION - CITY COUNCIL MEMBER CHARLES BARE - DISTRICT 2
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RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
That City Council approve funding of $1,000 to the Veteran’s Memorial Park Foundation for the Military War Dog Memorial, $500 to the Bream Fisherman’s Association, $500 to ARC Gateway and $500 to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Florida from the City Council Discretionary Funds for District 2.
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HEARING REQUIRED: No Hearing Required
SUMMARY:
In accordance with the Section 3.28-3.33 of the Policies of the City Council, prior to any distribution of grant or sponsorship funds from the City Council Discretionary Funds, approval by City Council is required.
The Veteran’s Memorial Park Foundation of Pensacola, Inc. provides stewardship for the Veteran’s Memorial Park. The foundation board members use funds gathered through donations and grants to care for and maintain the park and monuments. Veteran’s Memorial Park is dedicated to the memories of those who lost their lives or were wounded in the defense of this nation. It serves as a place of healing for people whose souls are forever injured by those memories. Since WWII, there have been tens of thousands of military dogs working side-by-side with American Warfighters defending freedom and democracy in every corner of the globe. The Military War Dog Memorial statue honors veterans who cannot speak for themselves. Funding will be used for costs associated with the monument.
The Bream Fisherman’s Association is a well-known and highly respected organization which has assisted the city, county, state, and region as an environmental steward in protecting our northwest Florida and south Alabama waters for over 40 years. Loosely organized in the mid 1960’s due to deteriorating water conditions in the region, they became a chartered non-profit organization in January 1970. The Bream Fisherman’s Association supports, develops and implements programs which promote the conservation and recreational benefits of fishing, hunting, camping and related outdoor activities. Funding will be used for the general operation of the organization.
The ARC Gateway was founded in 1947 by a small group of dedicated parents who wanted their children to have every opportunity to learn and grow. They opened a one-room schoolhouse. In 1954, they appointed Mrs. Pearl Nelson their first president and became members of the state and national Associations for Retarded Children. Over time, the parents who began ARC saw their children’s needs change. They responded by developing new programs to provide developmentally disabled adults with opportunities to learn, grow and seek employment. The ARC Gateway continues to provide life changing programs and services for more than 1,200 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through various programs that promote independence, the ARC Gateway provides job training, residential support, skill development courses, basic education, community involvement activities and more. Funding will be used for the general operation of ARC Gateway.
The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Florida supports families of children with medical needs by giving them a place to call home. In 1981, Dr. Reed Bell, who was Director of Pediatric Services at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital, initiated the quest to build a “Home-Away-From-Home” for families of hospitalized children. After making an inquiry through McDonald’s local agency, a feasibility study was conducted by the National Ronald House Advisory Board, with local McDonald’s restaurants and Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital making the commitment to support the project. Funding will be used for the general operation of the Ronald McDonald House.
PRIOR ACTION:
July 21, 2022 - City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-065 establishing the City Council Discretionary Fund Policy
FUNDING:
Budget: $10,641 FY 2023 District 2 Discretionary Funds
Actual: $ 1,000 The Veteran’s Memorial Park Foundation - Military
War Dog Memorial
500 Bream Fisherman’s Association
500 ARC Gateway
500 Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest
Florida
$ 2.500
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
A balance of $10,641 is currently within the District 2 Discretionary Fund Account in FY 2023. Upon approval by City Council, a balance of $8,141 will remain in the FY 2023 District 2 Discretionary Fund Account.
STAFF CONTACT:
Don Kraher, Council Executive
Yvette McLellan, Special Assistant to the Council Executive
ATTACHMENTS:
None
PRESENTATION: No