HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/01/2009, C 5 - APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT WITH THE SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ESTABLISHING A DEDICATED council °-diw°; , o
agenda Repout `� C,
C I T Y O F SAN LU IS O B I S P O
FROM: Shelly Stanwyck,Assistant City Manager
Prepared By: Neil Havlik,Natural Resources Manager
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT WITH THE SAN LUIS OBISPO
COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ESTABLISHING A
DEDICATED FUND FOR OPEN SPACE CONSERVATION
ACTIVI'T'IES
RECOMMENDATION
Approve an Agreement with the San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation establishing a
fund for the City of San Luis Obispo's open space conservation programs and authorize the Mayor
to execute the Agreement.
DISCUSSION
Background
The City of San Luis Obispo's Natural Resources Protection Program has, since its inception in
1996, been allocated approximately $200,000 per year of General Fund monies in order to fund
land and easement acquisitions to further the Greenbelt program. These funds have been used to
leverage other funding sources, primarily from the State of California, to accomplish many
transactions. To this end the Natural Resources Program is constantly on the"lookout" for outside
funding sources and opportunities with which to stretch City monies. In the current Financial Plan
this need has been highlighted because of (1) the reduced condition of the City's General Fund
relative to past years, and (2) the existence of an Option Agreement to acquire Froom Ranch. One
such source which has not been utilized to date is the San Luis Obispo County Community
Foundation.
The Community Foundation
The San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation (SLOCCF) is a nonprofit organization
established in 1994 and is recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. It has
a strong Board of Directors and dedicated staff. Like many other communities, San Luis Obispo
has many residents with appreciated estates who are interested in giving to their communities. hi
recent years the Foundation has had notable success in attracting donations from such individuals.
As a result of its efforts, the Foundation currently has assets of gifts, endowments, and other
donations totaling in excess of$27 million.
Many communities around the State and Nation have partnered in various ways with community
foundations to foster public improvements or programs of many kinds. Given both the current
interest in a specific project, and the potential for a beneficial long-term relationship, City staff