REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on Donations Received in Support of the 2018 Arbor Day/Earth Day Celebration
Report
BACKGROUND
The 2018 Arbor Day/Earth Day Celebration was held on Friday, April 13, 2018 at the Central Park Pavilion. Students from Briarwood, Central Park, C.W. Haman, Pomeroy, and St. Clare elementary schools attended the celebration. There were approximately 1,000 attendees. The City was presented with its 31st “Tree City USA” plaque and flag from the United States Department of Forestry for its tree preservation and maintenance program as well as a Tree City USA Growth Award. The Tree City USA Growth Award is awarded by the Arbor Day Foundation to recognize higher levels of tree care by participating Tree City USA communities. Attendees were entertained by Mad Science of the Bay Area. The program included information on the importance of our environment as well as pollution prevention and water conservation. There were 38 environmentally focused exhibitors with educational booths on display.
DISCUSSION
The City received donations from nineteen businesses in the form of gift cards, vouchers, merchandise, and cash. The gift cards, vouchers, and merchandise were used as raffle prizes for the students in attendance. The cash donations were used to fund snacks for the school children, purchase reusable water bottles for the event, and for the purchase of a Red Horse Chestnut tree that was planted at Central park to commemorate the event. The local businesses that provided donations are listed in Attachment 1. The City receives many donations the week of the Arbor Day/Earth Day event so it is not possible to get the complete list of donations approved prior to the event. Therefore, as part of this report, staff recommends acceptance of the donations after the event has concluded.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(a) as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The acceptance of in-kind donations to be used in a raffle for school children is mutually beneficial for both the schools and the donors. It helps incentivize the schools to participate in the program and is an opportunity for environmentally relevant businesses to show community support. Monetary donations help offset the cost of the program.
COORDINATION
This report was coordinated with the Finance Department and the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Authorize the City Manager to acknowledge and accept the donations received in support of the 2018 Arbor Day/Earth Day Celebration.
Staff
Reviewed by: Craig Mobeck, Director of Public Works
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. List of Donors and Donations