Report Prepared by: Michelle Reid, Recreation Supervisor, Parks and Recreation
Title
SUBJECT: Recommendation to the Merced City Council Regarding the Distribution of the 2023 Wahneta Hall Trust Funds in the Amount of $2,395 to the Kiwanis Club of Greater Merced to Operate and Maintain a Mini Train in Applegate Park
REPORT IN BRIEF
The Commission will provide a recommendation to the Merced City Council regarding of the disbursement of the Wahneta Hall Trust Fund to the Kiwanis Club of Greater Merced in the amount of $2,395 to be used to operate and maintain the train at Kiddieland in Applegate Park.
RECOMMENDATION
Recreation and Parks Commission - Adopt a motion:
Recommending Approval of an allocation of the 2022-23 Wahneta Hall Trust Funds of $2,395 to the Kiwanis Club of Greater Merced; or,
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by staff (identify specific finding and/or conditions amended to be addressed in the motion); or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items (specific items to be addressed in the motion).
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2022-23 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
The Wahneta Hall Trust fund was established in 1995. Provisions of trust require that the City of Merced use a specific portion for an endowment fund with income being designated to establish and maintain a mini-train system and/or band concert program in Applegate Park. In this fiscal year, there is $2,395 available to be disbursed.
On August 7, 2023, the Parks and Recreation Department mailed letters of invitation to apply for the 2023 Wahneta Hall Trust funds to recipients from previous years and other possible interested parties. These included: the Merced County Arts Council, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Merced, the Merced Symphony Association, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Merced College Concert Band, Merced Marching 100, Golden Valley High School Band, El Capitan High School Band, The UC Merced Bobcat Band, Tenaya Middle School Band, Hoover Middle School Band, Cruickshank Middle School Band, and Rivera Middle School Band. The department also sent a press release to the local media notifying the public of the pending trust distribution and advertised on the Department website and Facebook page.
The Commission is being asked to recommend disbursement of the entire amount of $2,395.
Staff received one application before the September 15, 2023, deadline. Kiwanis Club of Greater Merced requested $2,395 to be used to operate and maintain the train at Kiddieland in Applegate Park.
The Commission is being asked to make a recommendation to the City Council to disperse the Wahneta Hall Trust funds to the Kiwanis Club for operation and maintenance of the train at Applegate Park.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
Awarded amount will be paid out of Fund 795 Wahneta Hall Trust Fund.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Wahneta Hall Trust Press Release
2. Kiwanis 2023 Wahneta Hall Trust Fund Request and Financial Statement