Agenda Item # 1

Columbus Consolidated Government

Council Meeting

09/23/2014

Agenda Report # 30


TO: Mayor and Council

SUBJECT: Retired Senior Volunteer Program

INITIATED BY: Parks and Recreation

Recommendation: Approval is requested to submit an application and if approved, accept funds from the Corporation for National and Community Service to run the RSVP program in our area and to amend the Multi-Governmental Fund by the amount of the grant awarded. The grant amount will be determined by the (CNCS) with a match amount from the City of Columbus up to $10,000.00, of which the funds are in-kind services in the form of salary and wages. The grant amount requested is approximately $26043.00, or otherwise awarded, to be used to implement the program and payroll of existing staff.

Background: The RSVP program is a continuing resolution that has been authorized by Columbus Council each July since it’s inception in 1973. This grant is a continuation grant that provides opportunities for senior adults from all backgrounds, ages fifty-five and above, to utilize their knowledge, experience and talents in meaningful volunteer service to the community for a three year award period.

Analysis: The city of Columbus and the federal sponsor, The Corporation for National and Community Service, jointly fund The RSVP program. RSVP continues to respond to the changing needs of the community currently, there are approximately 75 active volunteers, rendering over 12,000 service hours annually at 5 volunteer stations.

Amend: Amend the Multi-Governmental Fund for the amount approved for the grant to run for three consecutive years before required to resubmit an application, agenda and resolution.

Amend: Allow the Columbus Department of Parks & Recreation to be the facilitator of the program and funds to implement and facilitate the program.

Financial Considerations: The grant amount requested is approximately $26043.00 for the Department of Parks and Recreation and the City of Columbus. The City’s match requirement is in kind services of salary and wages.

Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: None expected.

Legal Considerations: Council must approve this action.

Recommendations/ Actions: Authorize a resolution to approve the City to submit an application for, and if awarded, accept a grant from the Corporation for national Community Service to maintain the RSVP program in Columbus Georgia, and to amend the Multi-Governmental Fund by the amount of the grant awarded.

A RESOLUTION

NO. _____


A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR, AND IF AWARDED, ACCEPT A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF APPROXIMATELY $26043.00, OR OTHERWISE AWARDED, FROM THE CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE; WITH A LOCAL MATCH REQUIREMENT OF APPROXIMATELY $10,000.00 OF IN-KIND SERVICES WHICH ARE SALARIES AND WAGES AND TO AMEND THE MULTI-GOVERNMENTAL FUND BY THE APPLICABLE AMOUNT.

WHEREAS, under the authority of the National and Community Trust Act of 1993, funds are available for the continuation of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP); and,

WHEREAS, the Department of Parks and Recreation would like to amend the Multi-Governmental Fund for the amount approved for the grant for the three year period; and,

WHEREAS, the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department has 5 current volunteer stations actively involved in providing services to other community members; and,

WHEREAS, the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department provides daily activities to program participants and citizens at no significant cost to the city; and,

WHEREAS, the need for volunteers in the current stations as well as many new facilities could not provide some services offered without the volunteer program designed to help support and enhance existing programs and are vital to many facilities and organizations in our community.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:

That the City Manager or his designee is hereby authorized to submit an application and if approved, accept funds from the Corporation for National and Community Service for the RSVP program for approximately $26043.00, or otherwise awarded, and to amend the Multi-Governmental Fund by the amount of the grant awarded for three consecutive years.


___________

Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held the _________ day of _____________ 2014, and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative vote of _____________ members of said Council.


Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor McDaniel voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Thomas voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.

_____________________________ _________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor