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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-01-18; City Council; 17951; Donation to Injured Marines Semper Fi FundAB# 17,951 MTG. 1/18/05 DEPT. FIN 10 A TITLE: CONSIDERATION OF A DONATION TO THE INJURED MARINES SEMPER FI FUND CITY AlTY. RECOMMENDED ACTION: If the City Council would like to make a donation to the Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund Adopt Resolution No. 2005-020 appropriating an amount to be determined from the Community Activity Grants fund and/or Council's General fund contingency account. ITEM EXPLANATION: At the December 15' Council study session, the Mayor expressed an interest in donating money to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund (IMSFF). Staff was requested to return at a later date with some options for Council to consider. The IMSFF was founded in May 2004 by a small group of Marine spouses in Oceanside to provide financial grants to the Marines, sailors, and their families of those injured serving our nation. The Marine Corps does provide support to Marines and their families but there are limits to the amount of funding available to accommodate the families of injured Marines. This Fund provides supplemental assistance to these families as they face their road to recovery. More information on IMSFF is provided at Exhibit 2. There are basically two funding options available for this type of program. The Community Activity Grant fund and Council's General fund contingency account. Currently, the Community Activity Grant program has $1 million set up in a separate fund. The annual interest, plus any leftover grant money from the previous year, is used to fund grants that enhance the quality of life for Carlsbad's residents andlor visitors. Typically the total amount available is approximately $50,000 but will vary depending upon the interest earned that year. Although the grants for 2004-05 have already been distributed, one grant recipient from 2003-04 recently returned their $4,000 grant. This money normally would be added to next years total grant amount. Council could choose to reappropriate for this use. Any further grants from the Community Activity Grant fund at this time would erode the $1 million principal amount originally set aside for the program. With the adoption of the 2004-05 budget, Council appropriated $2.4 million into a contingency account to use for unanticipated emergencies or unforeseen program needs. There is $2.2 million currently available in this account that can be used for any public purpose. FISCAL IMPACT: The following is the fiscal impact for each funding option: The Community Activity Grant fund has $4,000 available to appropriate. This would reduce the amount available for grants in 2005-06. The Council's General fund contingency account currently has $2.2 million available. Page 2 of Agenda Bill # 17,951 If the City Council would like to make a donation to the Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund adopt the attached resolution to appropriate an amount determined by Council from either or both of these funds. EXHl BITS: 1. Resolution No. 2005-020 appropriating $25,000 Council’s contingency account and/or 2. Additional information on the Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund. -0- from the Community Activity Grants fund. Department Contact: Cheryl Gerhardt (760)602-2430, cgerh@ci.carlsbad.ca.us 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Exhibit 1 RESOLUTION NO. 2005-020 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING A DONATION TO THE INJURED MARINES SEMPER FI FUND AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS. WHEREAS, the Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund is a non-profit organization created to provide financial grants to the Marines, sailors, and their families of those injured serving our nation; and WHEREAS, the Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund relies on the generosity of donors; and WHEREAS, the City Council considered making a donation to the Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California, as follows: 1. That the above recitations are true and correct. 2. That the Carlsbad City Council hereby approves a donation in the amount of $ 25 000.00 to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. 3. That the Finance Director is authorized to appropriate $25 000. from the Council’s contingency account and -0- from the Community Activity Grant fund for the donation. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Carlsbad City Council held on the 18th day of JANUARY , 2005 by the following vote, to wit: AYES: Council Members Lewis, Hall, Kulchin, Packard, Sigafoose NOES: None ABSENT: None CLAUDE A. LEWIS, Mayor MATT HALL, Mayor Pro Tern ATTEST: LORRAINE M. WOOD, City Clerk (Seal) Exhibit 2 Injured t Marine Semper Fi Fund' Scrt ing Thog \t 'ho t)r;cserrr Qarr Fmatfom About Us The Fund On May 18, 2004, a small group of concerned Marine Corps spouses founded the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund to provide financial grants and other assistance to the Marines, sailors, and families of those injured serving our nation. In the summer of 2004, General Alfred Gray, the 29th Commandant of the Marine Corps, two retired general officers, and a retired sergeant major joined them. In their first five months, the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund provided financial assistance to over 300 families with more than $400,000. The Need Battle-injured warriors return home after being stabilized at military hospitals in Germany. Upon arrival, critical care is typically provided at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Depending on the severity of the injuries, continued hospitalization occurs at other hospitals located throughout America. Hospital stays can extend for months and rehabilitative care for years. When a Marine is injured, the entire family shares the burden of recovery. A young married Marine with a wife and two small children may at first require the support of his spouse. Eventually the Marine's spouse must return home to care for the children and parents may step in to provide comfort to the injured Marine. As time passes, Mom and Dad may need to return to work and a sibling may arrive until the spouse can return again. The Crisis Loved ones travel great distances at a moment's notice to be at the bedside of their wounded family member. Family members take leave from their jobs, often without pay. They also incur additional expenses - lodging, travel, food - while trying to meet obligations at home. It can become difficult for families to make ends meet while helping their Marine recover. Few are prepared for the expense. The Marine Corps goes above and beyond to support Marines and their families but there are limits to the amount of funding available to accommodate the families of injured Marines. The Marine Corps can only provide assistance to two family members for a limited period of time. Defense Department funding is not available to extended family members or for the reimbursement of expenses for rental cars, long-term childcare, or lost income. Our Mission The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund helps Marines, sailors, and their families meet their financial needs during difficult times. The Fund works closely with the Marine Corps, the Navy, and hospitals nationwide to identify and assess the needs of specific families. The application is easy to complete, the evaluation process is thorough, and assistance is typically delivered within 72 hours of the request.