...Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution authorizes the Madison Water Utility to receive donations from third-parties through their public outreach program in an amount not to exceed $10,000 annually. Donations received in excess of $10,000 annually will be approved via a separate Common Council resolution. No appropriation required.
...Title
Authorizing acceptance of third-party donations for Madison Water Utility’s public outreach program, up to $10,000 annually
...Body
WHEREAS, Madison Water Utility’s (MWU) public outreach team is tasked with providing educational opportunities centered around MWU’s core mission: Supplying high quality water for consumption and fire protection, at a reasonable cost, while conserving and protecting our ground water resources for present and future generations; and
WHEREAS, essential to effective public outreach efforts are partnerships, and MWU recognizes the potential advantages of further involving individuals, businesses, and charitable organizations for mutual benefit; and
WHEREAS, continuing to address the challenges of providing equitable outreach resources - that positively impact MWU’s collective ability to protect and conserve our water resources - requires support and participation from all levels of the public sector, the private sector, and nonprofit organizations alike; and
WHEREAS, the Madison Ethics Code, Sec 3.35(5)(a)2, Madison General Ordinances, authorizes City employees and officials to solicit donations from third parties provided that: a) the funds are to be used for a City project, b) the solicitation has been approved by a resolution of the Common Council, c) the entity receiving the funds in not an entity which is associated with the City employees or officials who are soliciting the donations, and 4) a report of the amount and date of contributions and contributors for all donations for the project is filed with the City Clerk within six months of the receipt of the donation; and,
WHEREAS, for the purposes of this resolution, the “City project” would be defined as the ongoing MWU outreach program and any solicited donations must be solely related to MWU’s public outreach efforts, or they will not be accepted as part of this resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Madison that, pursuant to MGO Sec. 3.35(5)(a)2, the Mayor and staff of Madison Water Utility are authorized to solicit and accept donations on behalf of the City for the purpose of MWU’s public outreach program; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that donations received as part of this resolution are not to exceed $10,000 of value annually without separate approval via resolution of Common Council; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that within 6 months of any such donations, the appropriate reports required by the Madison Ethics Code are filed with the City Clerk.