Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - August 7, 1996 (102)CITY OF LODI COUNCIL COMMUNICATION AGENDA TITLE: Approve a policy for expanding the LEAP donation program to allow donations to other non-profit entities affiliated with City sponsored programs. MEETING DATE: August 7, 1996 PREPARED BY: Finance Director RECOMMENDED ACTION: Approve a policy for expanding the pilot donation program to allow City utility customers to donate $1 and up in even dollar amounts per month to "LEAP", Lodi's "Reach" program. The City will divide donations received 50% to assist utility customers and 50% to be divided evenly to entities on Council approved listing. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: In May, Council authorized the Finance Department to begin a pilot donation program similar to Pacific Gas & Electric's "Reach" program. Under this pilot program, the City would allow utility customers to donate from $1 and up in even dollar amounts on their utility bill to "LEAP, Lodi's Reach type program. The funds collected would be forwarded to the Lodi Branch of the Salvation Army to provide one time financial assistance to City utility customers under the same rules and conditions of the Reach Program sponsored by PG&E, except the LEAP program would also provide financial assistance to pay water, sewer and garbage bills. Further, the City Council directed staff to place on a future agenda discussion on expanding this donation program to allow donations to other entities such as Hutchins Street Square, the Boys and Girls Club, and the Lodi Sports Foundation. The benefits and concerns of expanding this program were discussed with Council at a shirtsleeve meeting held on June 25, 1996. At that time staff was directed to develop a policy for the LEAP program to allow donations to other non-profit entities affiliated with City sponsored programs. Donations would be divided 50% to assist utility customers and 50% to be divided evenly to entities on a Council approved listing. The City Council would approve entities on the listing annually in January based on the entities non-profit status and affiliation with City sponsored programs, activities and/or operations. If the policy is approved by the City Council, staff would adjust the utility billing program, advertise the changes to the donation program in the September City newsletter, and implement the expanded program September 1, 1996. FUNDING: None Vicky McAthie Finance Director APPROVED: H. Dixon Flynn - City Manager POLICY FOR LEAP PROGRAM • UTILITY CUSTOMERS MAY SIGN UP FOR A SINGLE MONTHLY DONATION TO BE MADE TO LEAP PROGRAM • CUSTOMER MAY CANCEL DONATION AT ANY TIME • CITY WILL DIVIDE DONATIONS RECEIVED AS FOLLOWS: • 50% TO PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY SALVATION ARMY TO ASSIST UTILITY CUSTOMERS • 50% TO BE DIVIDED EVENLY TO ENTITIES ON COUNCIL APPROVED LISTING • COUNCIL WILL APPROVE ENTITIES ON LISTING ANNUALLY IN JANUARY BASED ON THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA: • NON-PROFIT STATUS • AFFILIATED WITH CITY SPONSORED PROGRAMS, ACTIVITIES AND/OR OPERATIONS • PROGRAM WILL BE RE-EVALUATED AFTER ONE YEAR EXPANDED LEAP PROGRAlvi CITY RELATED ENTITIES WITH NON-PROFIT STATUS • OLD LODI HIGH SCHOOL SITE FOUNDATION • BOYS & GIRLS CLUB • BOBS • CRIME STOPPERS • PARTNERS PROGRAM • LODI SPORTS FOUNDATION