Report Prepared by: Christopher Jensen, Director, Parks & Community Services
Title
SUBJECT: Accept Grant Funds from Central Valley Community Foundation (Opportunity Merced) in the Amount of $27,000, and Private Donations Collected by United Way of Merced County from Legacy Donors in the Amount of $16,000, and Proceeds from T-Shirt Sales in the Amount of $1,738 in Support of the Replacement of the Clock in Bob Hart Square Through the Time Well Spent Initiative
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers accepting grant funding from Central Valley Community Foundation (Opportunity Merced) and private donations collected by United Way of Merced County in support of replacing the clock in Bob Hart Square through the Time Well Spent initiative.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion:
A. Approving the Grant Agreement with Central Valley Community Foundation and accepting grant funding in an amount not to exceed $27,000; and,
B. Authorizing the acceptance of Legacy Donations collected by United Way of Merced County not to exceed $16,000; and,
C. Authorizing the acceptance of proceeds from Time Well Spent t-shirt sales from United Way of Merced County $1,738; and,
D. Authorizing the Mayor to execute the Donation Acceptance Agreement.
E. Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to sign necessary documents.
F. Authorizing the Finance Officer to make any necessary budget adjustments.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by Staff; or,
2. Deny; or,
3. Refer back to Staff for reconsideration of specific items.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2025-26 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION
Background
Part of the Bob Hart Square renovation efforts included keeping Merced’s history as part of its future through the Time Well Spent initiative. This 3-pronged approach to funding the replacement of the clock included City dedication, a philanthropic match, and community led fundraising and took place over the course of several months.
Description
The City of Merced committed up to $50,000 to help cover the cost of the replacement but required additional resources in the amount of approximately $30,000 to replace the clock entirely. The Parks & Community Service Department presented the concept of the Time Well Spent fund raiser to several stakeholder who rallied around the idea of being able to “Save the Clock”.
The Central Valley Community Foundation/ Opportunity Merced was the first partner identified and committed a match of up to $27,000 on top of any community dedicated funding. United Way of Merced County committed to hosting the Time Well Spent t-shirt fundraiser and dedicated web sources for soliciting legacy donations of up $1,000 or more which would allow community groups or individuals to have their name listed on a plaque on the replacement clock.
The Time Well Spent t-shirt sales raised $1,738. The Legacy Donor plaque raised another $16,000 and the Opportunity Merced grant matched $27,000.
These funds are required to be accepted and appropriated to the Bob Hart Square project to cover the cost required to purchase the clock.
The new clock will be installed sometime this summer or early fall, and the replacement will be donated to the Merced County Historical Society at the time of replacement.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
Staff is requesting that Council accept the proceeds raised from various sources as part of the Time Well Spent initiative in the amount of $17,738 and CVCF grant in the amount of $27,000 and appropriate to project CP220073-Bob Hart Square Expansion for new clock replacement at Bob Hart Square.
This item will require five affirmative votes for approval.
ATTACHMENTS
1. CVCF Clock Donation Complete with Docusign City of Merced Clock
2. Time Well Spent Initiative, United Way of Merced County Donation Acceptance Form
3. Donation Acceptance Agreement- United Way of Merced County