TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute documents necessary to establish an agreement with the Long Beach Police Foundation, through which the Foundation provides services and financial support to the Long Beach Police Department. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The Long Beach Police Foundation (Foundation) was created in 1998 as a non-profit corporation to acquire financial and in-kind support to supplement, but not to supplant, funding provided by the General Fund for the Long Beach Police Department (PD). The Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization and the only charitable organization that provides private, direct funding for PD. A formal agreement between the Foundation and the City is requested to allow the Foundation to solicit donations and transfer revenue to PD, to offset costs for unbudgeted programs and services, with prior approval written from the Police Chief.
Since its inception, the Foundation has fostered visible and direct community support for PD programs and services through the purchase of unbudgeted equipment and technology, employee training, and promoting community partnerships through the Police Explorers, Youth Leadership Academy, Quality of Life Program, Shop with a Cop, and Holiday Toy Patrol. In addition, the Foundation coordinates the Annual Awards Ceremony, a 45-year tradition, recognizing heroism and dedication to the City of Long Beach.
Through its agreement with the City, the Foundation will continue to maintain a strict ethic of independence and avoid conflict of interest to ensure that funds are raised and distributed ethically, fairly, and honestly based on need as determined by the Foundation Board and the Chief of Police. The Foundation is committed to transparency and financial responsibility in all its actions.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Kendra Carney on April 28, 2014 and by Budget Officer Victoria Bell on May 1, 2014.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action to authorize this agreement is requested at the May 20, 2014 City Council meeting to allow the Foundation to continue acquiring financial and material resources on behalf of PD.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total amount of financial and in-kind resources from Foundation efforts that PD will receive is unknown at this time. Of the total amount of money received on behalf of PD, a portion of the donations are retained by the Foundation to offset administrative costs to run the non-profit organization. Administrative costs include, but are not limited to, fees for tax filing, annual audits, administrative and material support. Requests for future budget appropriation increases will be brought to the City Council after amounts are known. Those appropriation increases will be offset by funds received from the Foundation. There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
JIM McDONNELL
CHIEF OF POLICE
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER