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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-03-2016 Item 13 America in Bloom Meeting Date: 5/3/2016 FROM: Derek Johnson, Assistant City Manager Prepared By: Lee Price, Interim City Clerk SUBJECT: AMERICA IN BLOOM RECOMMENDATION Consider the City’s participation in the America in Bloom National Awards Program. DISCUSSION Background At the March 1, 2016 Council meeting, the City Council gave staff direction to agendize consideration of membership in the America in Bloom National Awards Program. America in Bloom (AIB) promotes civic beautification through education and community involvement by encouraging the use of flowers, plants, trees, and other environmental and lifestyle enhancements. Currently, there are 235 cities in 40 states participating in the program. In most of those cities, AIB is a volunteer driven community effort led by citizen volunteers and/or civic organizations. There are two categories for membership: contestant or participant only. The deadline for contestants was February 28th. While it is too late to become contestants for this year’s awards program, the City is still eligible for membership as a participant only for 2016. The cost to become a participant is $1,099. Benefits of Participation Professional written evaluation: If membership is approved, two specially trained, experienced judges will visit the City for two days this summer. The judges will provide on -site, one-on-one mentoring and coaching and they will prepare a professional written evaluation that includes observations and suggestions in the following areas: 1. Overall impressions 2. Environmental efforts 3. Heritage preservation 4. Urban forestry 5. Landscaped areas 6. Floral displays 13 Packet Pg. 286 The judges’ report can be used as a roadmap for future beautification planning efforts and a tool for identifying improvement projects. Other benefits include: 1. Increased civic pride – creating attractive landscapes with community involvement increases civic pride. The program changes lives, helps improve the community, and makes a visible difference. People notice the little things, cared-for-buildings and properties, colorful plants, and a clean environment are a reflection of a thriving, caring municipality. 2. Decreased vandalism and crime – studies show that quality landscapes can lower crime rates and well-tended communities are safer. 3. Economic benefits – beautification projects that help save water, reduce heating and cooling costs, improve privacy and property values, have the potential for deriving new economic benefits and increased tourism. The national attention cities receive from participation in AIB brings tourism, increases tax revenue, and benefits local businesses. Arroyo Grande in Bloom was formed approximately 10 years ago. Morro Bay in Bloom was formed just two years ago. In both communities, a member of the public h as taken on the role of “champion” and has enlisted volunteers to participate in beautification projects and fundraising. Both cities have been America in Bloom award recipients. Bob Lund of Arroyo Grande and Warren Heath of Morro Bay have agreed to attend the Council meeting on May 3rd to share their insights and support for participation and to offer their guidance in the organizing process. 2016 Participation Registration: The deadline to register as contestants was February 28, 2016, but there is still an opportunity to participate by inviting two judges to spend two days in San Luis Obispo this summer to tour the City and prepare an evaluation. The judges’ report would likely identify potential beautification projects. Essential to the City’s participation is enlisting a “champion”; a citizen or citizens or a civic group in San Luis Obispo who is willing to commit to launching and leading a volunteer effort. Annual Symposium: America in Bloom holds an annual Symposium which brings together mayors and city officials from around the country together with international experts in public gardens, heritage preservation, beautification and green infrastructure projects. This year the Arroyo Grande in Bloom is hosting the 2016 America in Bloom Symposium October 5-8. Because Arroyo Grande does not have suitable conference and hotel space, they have booked the Embassy Suites as the host hotel. The City received a request to provide financial funding in the form of a sponsorship for this year’s Symposium. The Promotional Coordinating Committee (PCC) approved a one -time grant to support the Symposium in the amount of $1,000 on April 13th. In addition, the PCC unanimously endorsed the concept of forming a local chapter of America in Bloom because it aligns with the Committee’s beautification goals. In return for the sponsorship, the City will be 13 Packet Pg. 287 mentioned in the Symposium materials and will be provided with the opportunity of including City marketing materials for the registration gift bags to given to approximately 180 participants anticipated to attend the Symposium this year. The City could also decide to send a delegate to the Symposium to attend the panel discussions and Showcase of Innovation and to learn more about America in Bloom by networking with other participants. Next Steps If the Council desires to participate in 2016 and directs staff to register, the formation of a local committee of volunteers is the recommended and critical next step. CONCURRENCES The Promotional Coordinating Committee unanimously endorsed the concept of the City’s participation in America in Bloom at their regular meeting on April 13, 2016. FISCAL IMPACT The following are the estimated costs to participate in the program. Registration fees are set on a sliding scale based on population. The total annual costs are estimated at approximately $3,250 per year. 1. The City’s cost to join is $1,099 annually. 2. Costs associated with hosting two judges for two nights and dedicating staff resources to provide the judges a tour of the City while they are in San Luis Obispo. a. These costs are estimated at approximately $1,750. 3. Symposium registration in the amount of $295 per participant, if the City choses to send a delegate. There is no budgeted funding for this purpose in the 2015-16 budget. Should Council elect to participate in the program, these costs would be incorporated into the 2016-2017 budget. ALTERNATIVES 1. The Council may choose to limit participation to the Symposium only this year. 2. The Council may defer making a decision to participate in the America in Bloom National Awards Program to the next budget planning cycle. 3. The Council may elect to not participate in the America in Bloom National Awards Program. 13 Packet Pg. 288 Page intentionally left blank.