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CC - CONSENT ITEM: Award of an In-Kind Off-Cycle Special Event Grant in the Amount of $1,000 to the Institute for Public Strategies for the Fentanyl Awareness Community Forum and Designation of the Event as a City-Sponsored.
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Meeting Date: March 17, 2025
Contact Person/Dept: Edgar Varela, Economic Development
Phone Number: City Manager’s Office - (310) 253-6000
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (03/12/2025)
Department Approval: Jesse Mays, Assistant City Manager (03/03/2025)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council consider awarding an in-kind, off-cycle special event grant in the amount of $1,000 to the Institute for Public Strategies (IPS) for the Fentanyl Awareness Community Forum and designate the event as a City-sponsored.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
On February 24, 2025, the City Council received majority consensus to agendize a request for an in-kind event sponsorship for the Institute for Public Strategies relative to their Fentanyl Awareness Community Forum slated for April 8, 2025 at the Veterans’ Memorial Complex.
IPS is a non-profit public health organization that specializes in implementing upstream, population-level prevention programs that reduces health disparities and advances equity (Attachment 1).
One of their programs is the Fentanyl Awareness Community Forum that promotes fentanyl awareness and substance use prevention, ultimately contributing to a healthier, informed, and connected community. IPS has requested an in-kind marketing sponsorship to promote the event to the larger Culver City community.
City Sponsorship
To be categorized as a “sponsored” event by the City, an event must meet the criteria set forth in City Council Policy No. 2502 (Special Event Grant Program), confirming that the City is (a) participating in an official capacity in the planning, preparation or promotion of the event or activity; and (b) contributing 25% of the total estimated costs of the civic event or activity or at least $1,000, whichever is less. This contribution may take the form of funds, labor, staff time, materials, a coverage of fees, or any combination thereof. The City may also consider approving an in-kind marketing sponsorship to help build awareness about the event. The Council Policy require both (a) and (b) conditions be satisfied.
This proposed event would meet the criteria for City Sponsorship if the City Council approves a donation of at least $1,000, consisting of staff time to promote the event as an in-kind marketing sponsorship. As a requirement for event sponsorship, the organizers for the events must identify the City of Culver City as a sponsor of the event in all promotional materials.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no direct fiscal impact to the City. The request can be accommodated with current staffing resources relative to promotion of the event through the City’s marketing platforms and website.
ATTACHMENT
1. Institute for Public Strategies Overview
MOTION
That the City Council:
Award an in-kind, off-cycle special events grant in the amount of $1,000 in City staff time to the Institute for Public Strategies for the Fentanyl Awareness Community Forum designate the event as a City-Sponsored Event.