I have been asked by several people about the previously used agreements for Boys & Girls Club, South Helena Community Center, Ben Newell's group and others.
Attached is the agreement we used. It has been audited without any problems. The key is that the city cannot DONATE or GIVE AWAY any money for any reason. The city may pay for its own lawful expenses or it may contract without others and pay them to provide a service that the city COULD provide or does provide but wants additional coverage in that area. Case in point, the Boys & Girls Club provides the same or similar activities as those provided by the community center. Therefore, the city is contracting for services that it already provides. The Boys & Girls is able to reach children who may not be able to attend the Helena Community Center and the Boys and Girls Club has a national structure that rewards children who do well.
To avoid the "everybody" is entitled to "city money" mentality that is concerning Mayor Willis, I have suggested to him that the city administration and city council establish a pool of money in the range of $25,000 to $30,000 and have people, including the Boys & Girls Club, apply and present their plans to the city council or a committee of people who will score the applications and assist various groups in carrying out city purposes. I would suggest that a base amount be set at perhaps $100 per month and a maximum at $1,500 per month. The monies will then be paid up to the limit provided and no more. This process could then be repeated and in order to qualify for repeat monies, there would need to be some additional justification.
We have paid about $36,000 to the Boys & Girls Club over the last three years. They have done any excellent job. We generally paid then in lump some payments. The arrangement was for $1,000 per month. We did assist then in getting a grant to install air conditioning over there as well.
We have paid the South Helena Community Center about $5,000 for the recreational services it provides to the kids in that area of town, if my memory is correct on the amount. We additionally, partnered with then to receive grant money matched by their own funds to renovate or otherwise improved the building and make it ready for use.
I still believe both of these projects are good for the community to the extent that the city has the will and the funds to assist them.
We did not assist Rev. McGruder and his community center. He had two major issues. First he continually couched his request as gift or donation from city government. Secondly, he said he would serving a large number of dinners on a regularly basis however, the sanitation department reported to me that he was using a regular 96 gallon cart for trash and it would not even be full on a weekly basis. I would imagine if he were able to correct those things, then his presentation might be viewed differently.
This is offered merely for informational purposes and is being sent to all city council members and members of the current administration.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
James
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From:
Tim Schuringa <tschuringa@southernfp.org> Date: Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 3:43 PM
Subject: Boys & Girls Club Resolution
To:
mayorjfvalley@gmail.com,
donetherly@gmail.com Dear Mayor Valley,
Attached is a slightly modified version of the resolution where the length of the agreement is defined as a calendar year (the previous draft said "fiscal year" but was ambiguous as to whose fiscal year it was). Other than that, it looks great.
Than you very much for your support of the Boys & Girls Club and for the support of the City. It is truly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Tim Schuringa
Southern Financial Partners
Community Development Officer
502 Cherry St.
Helena, AR 72342
Phone: 870.816.1122
Mobile: 870.817.9048
Fax: 870.816.1105
tschuringa@southernfp.org
This transmission may contain information that is privileged, confidential, and/or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the information contained herein (including any reliance thereon) is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. If you received this transmission in error, please immediately contact the sender and destroy the material in its entirety, whether in electronic or hard copy format. Thank you.
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Shop at Amazon.com!Honorable James F. Valley
Attorney at Law
P. O. Box 451
423 Rightor Street
Helena-West Helena, 72342
501-291-1735 Phone
888-946-5550 Fax
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