2018.06.05 WS Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mary stated this was only possible because of the generosity of local supermarkets. Brian commented on how CPY was working to become more financially stable through by applying for grants and pursuing donations from private companies. He discussed the positive fundraising events that occurred at Stockyard Days. He explained CPY understood the importance of being financially stable in order to continue to provide services to the community's youth and had a goal to build a reserve fund. Councilmember Dunsworth asked how CPY identified grants to apply for. Brian stated this involved reviewing the scope of the grant and described how their scope changes over time based on programming needs. Councilmembers Dunsworth encouraged CPY to have a presence at an upcoming Farmer's Market. Brian reported there were more needs in the community than CPY could currently staff and fund. He requested the Council consider a donation to CPY of $55,000 to assist in closing their financial gap while also creating a small reserve fund. Mary encouraged the Council to consider what the cost would be to the City if CPY were to go away and questioned how the City would manage these at -risk youth. Mayor Johnson stated the City's goal would be to keep these youth out of the system. She encouraged CPY to contact Global Academy as this charter school would be moving in to New Brighton. Councilmember Jacobsen requested staff discuss the similarities and differences between CPY and Northeast Youth and Family Services. Lotter commented on the two contracts the City had with these organizations and how each benefited the community in their own way. It was his opinion the contracts were different or unique to each organization. Councilmember Jacobsen questioned if the City had a funding source available to assist CPY at this time. Lotter reported the City had a budget neutral option available for the Council to consider. He explained $46,200 had been set aside for Fire Relief but noted they were fully funded in 2018. He indicated these funds would be placed in the Community Reinvestment Fund and could be used to assist CPY. Councilmember Jacobsen indicated the ask from CPY was high but noted the current Council understood the value of this organization. He stated he feared what could happen in future years if the City Councilmembers were to change, CPY may not have the same level of support. Councilmember Burg discussed how valuable it would be for CPY to have a full-time fundraising staff member. She commented there were great benefits to having CPY in New Brighton to work with the community's youth and discussed how the calls for service have decreased over time. Mayor Johnson indicated the ask was a band-aid and stated a more formal fix within CPY would be needed. She encouraged CPY to keep up their fundraising efforts. Lotter explained the ask was a stop gap measure and noted 75% of the youth serviced by CPY were from New Brighton. He suggested the City assist CPY at this time in order to stabilize the organization and that a full-time fundraiser be brought on to keep this organization up and running. In order for this program to be successful, he believed for the next three to five years the City needed to make a larger investment in this organization. He anticipated the Council could ask for certain performance measures to be met if the City were to increase their financial investment in CPY. Councilmember Burg commented on the importance of having a director in place that had a heart for seeking grants and funding opportunities.