CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM

Department:	City Manager		Commission Meeting Date:  Sept. 5, 2017
Staff Contact:	Porter Arneill, Interim Communications Manager
Recommendations/Options/Action Requested:
Authorize the City Manager to sign the Memorandum of Understanding for the 2017-2018 Safe Winter Walkways program.
Executive Summary:		Since 2004, the city has partnered with the Senior Resource Center for Douglas County to create a program to connect people that need help removing snow from public sidewalks with able-bodied individuals willing to remove snow.  The Senior Resource Center for Douglas County has agreed to work with the city to implement the “Safe Winter Walkways” program again this season.  The program and commitments are described in the attached Memorandum of Understanding. To implement the volunteer program, the City Manager needs to sign the Memorandum of Understanding.  The Memorandum of Understanding will then be signed by a representative of the Senior Resource Center for Douglas County.  Representatives of the Senior Resource Center for Douglas County have reviewed the Memorandum of Understanding. In 2015-16, more than ninety percent (90%) of people who signed up for the program were paired with a volunteer. The city is again offering online registration for participants and volunteers at  www.lawrenceks.org/safe_winter_walkways.   This year, the program will close participant sign up on November 17, 2017. This date has been selected so that participants and volunteers can be matched prior to the holiday season, and hopefully, prior to snow season.
Strategic Plan Critical Success Factor		Safe, Healthy, and Welcoming Neighborhoods Innovative Infrastructure and Asset Management Collaborative Solutions
Fiscal Impact (Amount/Source):		The fiscal impact to the City is revenue neutral – Senior Resource Center for Douglas County staff manages volunteer coordination.  City staff manage outreach and education as part of regular duties.  The Senior Resource Center for Douglas County would like the city to contribute to background check costs at $40/per volunteer but there is no specified funding for this request.
Attachments:		Memorandum of Understanding Communications Plan News Release

Reviewed By: (for CMO use only)

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