HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-07-27 City Council (15)TO:
City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report
HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
FROM:CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT:ADMINISTRATIVE
SERVICES
DATE:JULY 27, 1998 CMR: 328:98
SUBJECT:SIGNIFICANT GIFTS RECEIVED BY THE CITY OF PALO
ALTO -- FY 1997-98
This is an information report and no Council action is required.
BACKGROUND
Included in the City Manager’s administrative policies and procedures is a policy conceming
the receipt of gifts to the City of Palo Alto. The purpose of this staff report is to comply with
a provision in the policy that the City Manager shall periodically report to the City Council
regarding the gifts which have been accepted on behalf of the City. This is an informational
report and no Council action is requested.
DISCUSSION
Gifts can provide support for and/or augment programs beyond the. City’s available
resources. Gifts may be material objects, cash, real property, or services. The City’s policy
regarding gifts is meant to emphasize the importance of encouraging gifts to the City,
promptly acknowledging and expressing appreciation for them, and assuring the gifts are
properly inventoried or accounted for.
The procedures for implementing the policy establish thresholds at which department heads
must notify the City Manager concerning the gifts that have been received by or offered to
the City. The thresholds are as follows: cash gifts of any amount; material gifts and services
with a value of $1,000 or more; and any real property (real estate). Gifts offered to the City
which have an estimated value of $5,000 or more will not be accepted until approved by the
City Manager. Gifts of real property of any value will not be accepted until approved by the
City Council. Major gifts often require City commitments, such as ongoing maintenance or
storage and security, thus consideration must be given to their acceptance. Each department
of the City maintains its own record of all gifts that are accepted and is responsible for
providing a written expression of thanks tothe donor, documenting receipt of the gift.
CMR:328:98 Page 1 of 2
The gitis listed in the attachment~to this report are those that are more significant in nature.
The report includes cash gifts over $1,000, and material gifts with a value of $1,000 or more.
In most cases, the value of materials gifts has been estimated. The report does not include
the volunteer hours which are contributed to the City.
RESOURCE IMPACT
The estimated dollar value of gifts over $1,000 received by the City in 1997-98 totals
$63,740.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
This report is consistent with existing City policies.
ATTACHMENTS
Significant Gifts Received by City of Palo Alto for Period 7/1/97 - 6/30/98
HEAD APPROVAL.@_..~..~=~ ~DEPARTMENT
: CARL YE^ ~r~ "-~2o
Director, Administrative Services
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: ~. ~
EMII3Y HARRISON
Assistant City Manager
CC:n/a
CMR:328:98 Page 2 of 2