HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/02/1995, C-11 - FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA CONFERENCE 1WM���� "J P M NG DATE:
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT ITEM N MBEI �
FROM: Ken Hampian, Assistant City Administrative Officer
SUBJECT: Future Farmers of America Conference
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
By motion, authorize the use of the Promotional Coordinating Committee's Grants-In-Aid
reserve of $2,700 to fund transportation service for conference attendees as recommended by
the Promotional Coordinating Committee.
DISCUSSION:
As the Council is aware, the 1995 Future Farmers of America (FFA) Conference was moved
from the Cal Poly campus to the Fresno State campus. The decision by the Conference
organizers to move the Conference to Fresno was very disappointing to Cal Poly and the
community as the University had hosted the event for over forty years. Fresno State officials
were able to lure the Conference away from Cal Poly by providing a wide variety of incentives
to the Conference organizers (e.g.low room rates and free conference space, etc.).
Upon leaning that the 1995 Conference was being moved to Fresno, the City began sending
letters to FFA Conference organizers urging their return to San Luis Obispo, as shown in the
attached example. In addition, representatives from Cal Poly, the City, and the Chamber of
Commerce began meeting with FFA Conference organizers to find out how we get the
Conference back to Cal Poly. During these meetings, the City learned that "around town"
transportation for Conference attendees was a critical issue to the Conference organizers. This
issue was subsequently presented to the City's Transit Manager, who in turn, determined that
the City's transit system is capable of providing the needed transportation services (e.g., getting
the students from their hotel to Conference activities). However, adopted City policy precludes
the Transit Manager from providing this service free of charge. The Transit Manager estimates
that the service will $2,700.
The transportation issue was then presented to the Promotional Coordinating Committee (PCC)
for consideration. After deliberating, the PCC concluded that bringing the Conference back to
Cal Poly would tremendously benefit the local hospitality industry, and as such, unanimously
agreed to forward a recommendation to the Council that their 1994/95 Grams-In-Aid reserve of
$2,700 be used to fund the Conference's transportation costs. In this way, City policy is
adhered to (the Transit fund is made "whole") and an incentive is provided to bring the
Conference back to San Luis Obispo. In addition, the reserve was set aside specifically for these
types of opportunities that arise outside of the normal budget process.
Staff supports the PCC's recommendation.
FISCAL BWACT:
$2,700 is available in the PCC's Grants-In-Aid reserve (in the Cultural Activities budget unit)
to fund this request. These monies will be returned to the PCC's Grants-In-Aid reserve if the
Conference is not held in San Luis Obispo during 1996.
ATTACEMIENTS:
1 - Letter from City to FFA Conference Organizers
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OFFICE OF THE MAYOR •990 PALM STREET
Post Office Box 8100•San Luis Obispo,CA 93403-8100 •8051549.7111
July 18, 1994
Mr. Bob Heuvel
State Supervisor and FFA Advisor
Agricultural Education
California Department of Education
Post Office Box 944272
Sacramento, CA 94244-2720
Dear-Mr. Heuvel:-
As you well know, the City of San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly have enjoyed a long standing
and successful "partnership" with the Future Farmers of America (FFA). We have always
been very pleased to serve as the host City for the FFA's State Leadership Program. As
such, we were sorry to learn that the FFA selected an alternative location for the 1994
State FFA Leadership Conference.
Put most simply, we missed you this year!
The purpose of this letter is to formally invite the FFA back to San Luis Obispo and
underscore the City's interest in serving as the host City for the 1995 Conference. Should
the FFA select the City for the 1995•Conference,we will commit to providing your members
and agriculture teachers with an environment that is accessible, beautiful, and safe..
The benefits to selecting San Luis Obispo are many. We offer a "small town" friendly
atmosphere, yet we are large enough to serve the needs of a quality leadership conference.
Our hotels and restaurants are large, plentiful, and close to campus.
Thank you for agreeing to meet with us on July 20. We promise to make good use of your
time while you're here and sincerely hope to convince you that San Luis Obispo is the best
location for holding the 1995 State Leadership Conference!
Sincerely,
Peg Pinard
Mayor
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