Fiscal Note
The Miscellaneous Appropriations approved as part of the City's 2015 Adopted Operating Budget includes a direct appropriation of $100,000, which was authorized for the purpose of Community Building and Engagement. No additional funds are being requested by this Resolution.
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Approving proposed guidelines and process for allocating $100,000 appropriated in the 2015 operating budget for community building and engagement activities, and authorizing the Community Development Division to undertake a Request for Proposals process to solicit proposals for use of those funds.
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City groups and organizations will have the opportunity to apply for funds to support efforts that develop skills and abilities among residents, particularly those within neighborhoods marked by high concentrations of low and moderate income households, which are helpful in building leadership capacity, promoting civic engagement and improving community cohesion.
WHEREAS, The Madison Common Council recognizes that there is real value derived from developing skills and capacities among City residents that will enable and encourage broader participation in civic discourse and city processes that influence the quality of life in neighborhoods across the community; and
WHEREAS, The City's adopted 2015 Operating Budget contains, under Miscellaneous Appropriations, authorization to expend $100,000 to support activities for Community Building and Engagement; and,
WHEREAS, the Budget indicates an allocation process for these funds in 2015 is to be determined through discussions involving Community Development staff and the Mayor's Office and approved by the Common Council by March 3, 2015; and
WHEREAS, a staff team comprised of representatives from the Mayor's Office, the Community Development Division, the Planning Division and the Madison Public Library have discussed and developed eligibility guidelines, review criteria and other procedural details needed to administer a competitive funding process in order to allocate these funds.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Common Council approves those eligibility guidelines, review criteria and other procedural details, which are embodied in the proposed Request for Proposals: Community Building and Engagement; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Community Development Division is authorized to publish the RFP and proceed along the timeline and processes described within it.