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Information |
TITLE: |
Consideration and Possible Action: Use of the Council Initiative Fund |
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION: |
Authorize the use of the Council Initiative Fund:
- Sponsorship of planet Earth with Lowell Observatory - $10,000
- Support of Youth Poet Laureate - $5,000
- Other identified initiatives
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Executive Summary: |
Sponsorship of Planet Earth at Lowell Observatory:
Be a Part of the New Astronomy Discovery Center. Exhibits in the Orbits Curiosity Zone children’s hall will fuel children’s interest in and understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. One of the most dramatic and intriguing features in this exhibit hall will be the gigantic planets suspended from the ceiling! Each of the eight planets (plus Pluto!) will be on display and approximately to scale for visitors to seek out and enjoy. Donors will be recognized on a plaque in the exhibit hall.
Additional information was requested related to youth access to Lowell Observatory. Executive Director Jeff Hall shared that Lowell provides school field trips, in general, at a discounted rate. Students and teachers are only charged 50% to 60% of the current general admission charge for children [this would be about $8-9]. On top of the discount, when Ayers endowment and APS funds are available, we cover the total cost of admission and try to prioritize "Title 1" schools with these funds. So far, they have been able to cover all FUSD schools with these funds since we started school visits again in 2022. Additionally, as they plan the pricing for the Discovery Center, they are considering discounts for locals for general admission. Their goal is for the Discovery Center to be a resource for the entire Flagstaff community.
Poet Laureate Request:
In recent years, Northern Arizona Book Festival (NOAZBF) has been developing capacity in our youth programming (aka the "Young Readers' Festival"). The transformation of this program will culminate in the establishment of a Youth Poet Laureate (YPL) position. The inaugural YPL is a Black and Indigenous poet named Micaela Merryman. In her role, she will preside over a Youth Poetry Council. These young people, aged 14-24, will be responsible for developing programming for the Young Readers' Festival, among other activities. They will build and maintain literary community, gain leadership skills in arts administration, and aid NOAZBF in its mission to establish Flagstaff and the Colorado Plateau as a place of literature.
In communicating with poets laureate of the southwest about the structure of their programs, we were encouraged to reach out to the City of Flagstaff/Mayor's Office to explore the idea of a partnership. While we work closely with Creative Flagstaff, Arizona Commission on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts/Humanities, and other granting agencies in finding support for our programs, this particular one requires a different kind of partnership. The ambassador-like position, which is at once administrative, would benefit from some buy-in from your office. |
Financial Impact: |
Cost: $15,000.00 (potentially more)
Account Number Budgeted: 001-09-401-1300-1-4290
FY24 Budget: $26,100.00
Funding Source: General Fund
There is a total of $23,444.35 available within the fund. Authorized expenditures this year include $1,555.65 for the sponsorship of the Downtown Movies on the Square. |
Policy Impact: |
None |
Connection to PBB, Carbon Neutrality Plan, 10-Year Housing Plan & Regional Plan: |
The Council Initiative fund is intended to support all City Council goals, objectives, and priorities. |
Previous Council Decision on This: |
None |
Background and History: |
The Council Initiatives Fund was established and included in the 2020-21 Budget. The formation of this particular fund was not driven by any singular request or need, but rather as a proactive measure to enable our City Council to approve unforeseen expenditures, from time to time, that would be of benefit to the Flagstaff community. The fund is limited in amount ($25K annual appropriation) and it does not rollover or accumulate. It is an annual appropriation.
There are numerous instances throughout the course of the fiscal year where Council may want to approve miscellaneous expenditures, for the benefit of our community, that simply do not fall neatly within a specific budget appropriation. This fund is intended to allow Council some discretion to approve such expenditures. There is no established process for doing so, other than majority support. We of course always need to stay within our legal parameters and our City Attorney can advise accordingly. Similarly, such matters should be identified on the Council meeting agenda, as an action item. |
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