12. 24-0028 Consideration of the Parks and Recreation Commission Proposal for Establishing a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization and Donation Policy Update, and if Approved, Appropriate $104,900 from General Fund (Parks and Recreation Director Leyman).
(Estimated time: 45 Mins.)
A) DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
B) APPROPRIATE FUNDS
Besides the cringingly obsequious LoveMB name, there is no need for this additional bureaucracy. This is as bad as you branding efforts. People can get a tax-deductible donation just by donating to the city without a separate 501(c) being created. There are legal restrictions on a 501(c)(3) as to donors directing their contributions that need to be attended to. Our city, particularly with the new storm water fee, has enough money to do whatever projects the city wants to do (if we constrain City Hall salaries) without the "ownership" privilege on type, nature and usage created by private funding. Public projects should be viewed as created and a responsibility of us all. You folks seem to want to do anything to reduce the feeling of community belonging as a whole. This is just another boondoggle.
Please include in your presentation/discussion the following (I am seeking to understand the background better):
* The request to create a 501(c)(3) indicates that there is a higher financial need to fund our parks and recreation programs than what is available through typical funding sources. Is this the case and, if so, what is the annual need expected? How is the budget for parks and recreation determined/limited?
* Please clarify what the limitations are when a local government participates in a 501(c)(3). Can the City of MB donate to a 501(c)(3)? If so, will this set a precedent for other 501(c)(3)'s to ask for funding?
Besides the cringingly obsequious LoveMB name, there is no need for this additional bureaucracy. This is as bad as you branding efforts. People can get a tax-deductible donation just by donating to the city without a separate 501(c) being created. There are legal restrictions on a 501(c)(3) as to donors directing their contributions that need to be attended to. Our city, particularly with the new storm water fee, has enough money to do whatever projects the city wants to do (if we constrain City Hall salaries) without the "ownership" privilege on type, nature and usage created by private funding. Public projects should be viewed as created and a responsibility of us all. You folks seem to want to do anything to reduce the feeling of community belonging as a whole. This is just another boondoggle.
Please include in your presentation/discussion the following (I am seeking to understand the background better):
* The request to create a 501(c)(3) indicates that there is a higher financial need to fund our parks and recreation programs than what is available through typical funding sources. Is this the case and, if so, what is the annual need expected? How is the budget for parks and recreation determined/limited?
* Please clarify what the limitations are when a local government participates in a 501(c)(3). Can the City of MB donate to a 501(c)(3)? If so, will this set a precedent for other 501(c)(3)'s to ask for funding?