Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Regular_Tab 13_06/11/2009~ ~._ 1. VILLAGE COUNCIL MEETING: VILLAGE OF TEQUE~e~istributed from 5/14/09 with AGENDA ITEM TRANSMIT additional information included Meeting Date: 5114/09 Meeting Type: Regular Ordi Consent Agenda: No Resolution #: t1~ic~ here to enter text. Originating Department: Mayor Pat Watkins 2. AGENDA ITEM TITLE: (Wording form the SUBJECT line of your staff report) Council discussion and Direction on Loxahatchee River Historical Society 150 Anniversary Donation Request of $8,000 3. BUDGET /FINANCIAL IMPACT: Account #: 001.100.582.800 Amount of this item: $8,000 Current Budgeted Amount Available: Amount Remaining after item: $5,500 Not enough in account to cover request Budget Transfer Required: Chaose an Appropriate Fund Balance: Che~ase ~n iter~t. item. 4. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF MAJOR ISSUES: (This is a snap shot description of the agenda item) 2008/2009 Aid to Community Organizations Budget Donations to date: • Giri Scouts • Jupiter High School • Busch Wildlife • Girl Scouts TOTAL 5. 'ALS: $ 10,000 500 1,000 1,000 2,000 Dept. Head~~ ~ , ,~`" ~ Finance Director: Reviewed for Financial t~t.~'' fT ~T~ ~~'_ <` a, Sufficiency ''~^ No Financial Impact Attorney: (for legal sufficiency) ViNage Manager: • SUBMIT FOR COUNCIL DISCUSSION: • APPROVE ITEM: ^ Yes ^ No ^ • DENY ITEM: ^ James D. Snyder 8657 S.E. Merritt Way Jupiter, FL 33458 Phone: 561-575-3350 Fax: 561-575-3458 May 18, 2009 Mr. Calvin Turnquest, Tequesta Village Council Tequesta, Florida Dear Calvin: I appreciate the chance to talk to you by phone and also the way you zeroed in on the Council's chief concern. Namely, any donation must go strictly for operations and maintenance -not for "parties." First, let me assure you and the Council that every cent of the net proceeds raised will go to meet current and future operations and maintenance expenses for the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum. As my first letter stated, working capital -not staff, nor volunteers, nor bricks and mortar - is the greatest danger to the long-term stability of this organization and its important mission. It is difficult to raise "working capital" because it's not glamorous. As church leaders agree, parishioners will ante up for new pews or hymnals; just don't tell them their money is going to pay the light bill. But please remember that the whole purpose of the upcoming commemorative year isn't just to net our goal of $250,000 in working capital. The primary purpose is to mark the 150`" anniversary of South Florida's oldest building and to highlight the rich history that surrounds it. To that end we are planning to produce a 2009 Heritage Year calendar, a donor plaque, commemorative bricks, special gift shop merchandise, and several events. Among the latter will be the first Jupiter Inlet Arts and Crafts Fair in November, two family-oriented Holiday weekends at the lighthouse, an anniversary kickoff in January (to mark the arrival of the lighthouse construction crews), a Salute to the Armed Services night in March, a special Concert Under the Stars in April and an "Americana Night" on July 10 to commemorate the first lighting on that day in 1860. All of these events are designed to appeal individually to as broad a representation of our local citizenry as possible. In short, we want to give everyone a chance to feel a part of our heritage and to offer their support. We fully expect a far broader geographical area to learn of these collective events -and by this I mean participation by national 2 media and prominent public figures including the governor. The accumulative effect of these activities will do more to enhance the image and attract residents and employers to our area than anything the county or local governments could do on their own. So, to return to your original question, my answer is that the $8,000 requested will go to start-up costs for the 150' anniversary year. It will have a leveraging effect in raising a much greater sum that will be used wholly for operations and maintenance. At the same time, I can understand that a government body might feel un-ease at using taxpayer money in a way that can't be specifically accounted for dollar by dollar on a ledger sheet. Should this be the case here, I would like to suggest two possible options. First, we could directly earmark Tequesta's contribution for publication of a Heritage Calendar, design of a commemorative logo and production of a large outdoor metal sign displaying names of 150t1i anniversary donors. We would produce invoices and pay all such costs beyond $8,000. Second, just today we received our annual bill for property (fire and hazard) insurance covering the lighthouse, museum, Tindall House and surrounding grounds. The bill is $8,200 - an operating expense if there ever was one. We could pay this now and submit it for reimbursement up to $8,000. Finally, here is something I should have put in the first letter. The Historical Society would be happy to host a special day in 2009 for Tequesta Village employees and their families. We might think in terms of a Sunday afternoon featuring a history talk, lighthouse climb, museum tour, ice cream and other refreshments. I hope the above answers the Council's questions and that we can have your support in this important endeavor. Sincerely, James D. Snyder, Chairman Board of Directors Loxahatchee River Historical Society MEMORANDUM Village of Tequesta Clerk's Office TO: Mr. Michael R. Couzzo, Jr., Village Manager Honorable Mayor and Village Council Members FROM: Lori McWilliams, Village Clerk `~y DATE: May 4, 2009 SUBJECT: Loxahatchee River Historical Society Donation Request Please see the attached request by the Loxahatchee River Historical Society regarding the 150th Anniversary celebration for the lighthouse. The Society is requesting an $8,000 donation from the Village. 2008/2009 Aid to Community Organizations Budget $ 10,000 Donations to date: • Girl Scouts 500 • Jupiter High School 1,000 • Busch Wildlife 1,000 • Girl Scouts 2,000 TOTAL ~Q There is a balance of ~ •50_0 remaining in the Aid to Community Organizations budget. cc : Couruct LOXAHATCHEE R[VER • HISTORICAL SOCIETY The Hon. Pat Watkins, Mayor Village of Tequesta 345 Tequesta Drive Tequesta, FL 33469 Apri120, 2009 Dear Ms. Watkins: As you know, the history of Jupiter-Tequesta is bound up in the story of Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. Since the high-powered Fresnel lens was first illuminated on July 10, 1860, it has bcen our community's shining light -and the symbol of a unique locale - through the Civil War, two world wars and our transformation to a vibrant, modern town. The year 2010 will mark the 150s' anniversary of the lighthouse. As its guardians, the Loxahatchce River Historical Society intends to honor this important occasion with a series of events that will do justice to our mission, make our surrounding residents proud, and focus widespread attention on our unique area in Souih Florida. What is required for this mission is obtaining the initial working capital to ca~tract with a skilled eventslmarketing director, design/produce appropriate commemorative ware and sponsor several public events from November 2009 through December 2010. The key words here are working capital. The Historical Society, a nonprofit 501 C-3 organization, takes in about 5750,000 per year -almost all from tours, gift shop sales and grants. It may or may not break even in a given year. The Society has virtually no working capital with which to carry routine velador bills and sustain itself during the seasonally leaner months. As such, it lacks the start-up capital necessary to get the anniversary process underway. The incane from the planned events can also afford the Society aonce-in-a generation fund raising opportunity. We hope to raise up to 5250,000 during the commemorative year and generate enough working capital to operate on a sustainable basis for many years to come. Achieving this, in part, means overcoming a rnisoonception that has arisen since a yeaz ago when Congress created the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area (JILONA) under the protection of the U.S. Department of the Interior. Some are under the impression that the JILONA designation means that the federal government either owns or "picks up the tab" for lighthouse/museum operations. 500 Captain Armour's Way, Jupiter, FL 33469 Phone:561-747-6380 Fax:561-575-3282 www.juplterNghtha~~.org OuBois Pioneer Horne • Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse $ Museum • Historic Tindall House z This is not the case. The federal govemmeat is restricted to infiastructure improvements, such as walking paths and lighthouse repairs. It provides nothing for operations expenses. The irony here is that the more capital improvements the government makes to the property, the more the maintenance requirements and the more strained our operating budget. The effects of the recession have impacted the Historical Society as they have your own budget. Our grants, for example, are down b~- some f~ percent with no upswing in sight. And yet, we must confront the fact that a 1 SO anniversary celebration can't wait until the economy improves in some future year. In light of all the above and the current economic climate, our Board of Directors believes the best way to raise seed capital is to seek support from ail across the community. And to begin that process we are asking for contributions from surrounding local governments and employers. These range from 54,000 for the smallest entities to 516,000 from the largest. We are taping that the Village of Tequesta, our closest neighbor, can donate 58,000 towards the anniversary project. If it can be done by July the donation will have the biggest impact on assuring success of the anniversary events. If not the entire amount, we hope the Village can make available a significant amount now and spread the remainder over the next fiscal year. The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, the museum of our local history and the surrounding Outstanding Natural Area combine to ct+eate our local "signature." They inspire artists to paint, people to move here, tourists to visit and students to learn. Our rich and colorful history makes us all proud that we live here and makes die Historical Society acutely aware of the responsibility it has to honor that legacy properly. If the Village -and others -can pitch in, we believe the benefits will return many times over. Thank you for considering this request. We are prepared to offer details upon request and to appear before the Village Council if reque.4ted. Sincerel ~~iL-- ames . Sn Chairman a Board Loxahatchee River Historical Society Personal phone: 575-3350 Email: jdsnyderl~comcast.net