CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM

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Department:

Parks and Recreation Department

Commission Meeting Date: 02/21/17

Staff Contact:

Ernie Shaw, Interim Director Parks and Recreation

Recommendations/Options/Action Requested:

Approve the proposed Parks and Recreation Sponsorship Policy, establishing guidelines for the development and approval of sponsorship opportunities in support of Parks and Recreation programs and facilities.

Executive Summary:

In follow up to the City Commission directive from the Tuesday, Jan. 3, City Commission Meeting, Parks and Recreation held a public meeting Monday, Jan. 23, to gather input on its proposed sponsorship policy. Four citizens attended the meeting and three provided feedback by survey. The survey was also placed on Lawrence Listens for approximately three weeks to collect additional feedback and input on the proposed policy from the public. The on-line survey was completed by fifty-six individuals. The results show general support for sponsorships with less support for sponsorships that involve naming rights of city facilities and amenities. Additionally, 23 respondents provided comments which are included in the results. The survey results follow.

1) Should the City of Lawrence solicit sponsorships to support designated

Parks and Recreation assets?

Response	Percentage	Count
Yes	63.6%	35
No	27.3%	15
Don’t know / Unsure	9.1%	5

2) Do you think the City of Lawrence should allow sponsorship signage (banners,

signs) that meet City of Lawrence sign regulations in/on City of Lawrence owned

assets?

Response	Percentage	Count
Yes	63.6%	35
No	29.1%	16
Don’t know / Unsure	7.3%	4

3) Should the City of Lawrence accept sponsorships that provide sponsorship

naming rights with signage for City-owned assets?

Response	Percentage	Count
Yes	42.9%	24
No	48.2%	27
Don’t know / Unsure	8.9%	5

The sponsorship policy was revised to formally define the objectives and guidelines of the Department’s sponsorship program, and the process, criteria and limits for approvals of sponsorship opportunities.

Revisions to the policy since the Jan. 3 City Commission Meeting include:

1) Section IV, added “per year” to Levels 2 and 3.

2) Section VIII, added language providing City Commission with sole discretion to approve, reject or modify proposals to name a city park and or facility as part of a naming rights sponsorship.

3) Section VII (a), added a Definition of Naming Rights Sponsorships and shifted other sections back.

4) Section VII (b), changed the section to “Facilities for which a Naming Rights Sponsorship will be Considered” and added a list of assets for consideration and further deliberation by the Commission prior to adoption of the policy.

Strategic Goal Area:

Other

Fiscal Impact (Amount/Source):

Adoption of the proposed policy will not result in a direct cost. This policy will guide the Department’s sponsorship program which generates financial support for services, facilities and operations.

The following table provides a three-year total of in-kind donations and sponsorship revenue. The revenue increase from 2015 to 2016 is explained by the Lawrence Memorial Hospital presenting sponsorship at Sports Pavilion Lawrence ($50,000 annual donation). That sponsorship was initiated in the second half of 2015.