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Report regarding a resolution authorizing the acceptance of a $50,000 donation from Genentech to be used toward Parks and Recreation Department programs impacted by COVID-19. (Greg Mediati, Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the acceptance of a $50,000 donation from Genentech to be used toward Parks and Recreation Department programs impacted by COVID-19.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Genentech Gives Back Week is a dedicated week where employees come together to donate time, money, and passion to causes they care about. For five days, employees around the organization are encouraged to take time from their busy schedules and focus on charitable projects both on their campus and in their local communities. Though many Genentech employees volunteer year-round through corporate programs, the company bands together once a year for Genentech Gives Back Week.
Last year, Genentech employees celebrated Genentech Gives Back Week by volunteering hundreds of hours of their time with the South San Francisco Parks and Recreation Department by repainting the letters on South San Francisco’s iconic Sign Hill, and making improvements to ballfields. This year, volunteers were once again assigned to help with painting the letters on Sign Hill, participate in invasive weed eradication work and native planting projects, and performing landscape improvements at Callero Ballfield and Centennial Way Dog Park.
Unfortunately, in April 2020 it was determined that the planned volunteer events must be cancelled due to the COVID-19 health crisis. In lieu of the volunteer events, and largely because of staff’s relationship working with Genentech in the past, Genentech selected the Department for a more substantial monetary donation of $50,000. These donations are typically given to organizations that are 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations. For this reason, the Friends of South San Francisco Parks and Recreation Department non-profit group has been selected as the fiscal agent to accept the donation and forward it to the City.
Staff will continue to work to determine what specific programs these funds will be directed toward, however, it is expected that it will be applied toward programs and operations that were noted as budget cuts in the proposed Fiscal Year 2020-21 Operating Budget.
FISCAL IMPACT
This generous one-time donation from Genentech will be used to fund programs impacted by budget reductions proposed in the FY 2020-21 Operating Budget. Specific programs have yet to be identified, however, City Council feedback on this matter is appreciated.
RELATIONSHIP TO STRATEGIC PLAN
Acceptance of this donation supports Strategic Plan Priority #2: Quality of Life. The funds donated toward Parks and Recreation programs will enhance the City’s ability to provide high quality offerings, which will create a more vibrant and healthy community.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the acceptance of a $50,000 donation from Genentech to be used toward Parks and Recreation Department programs impacted by COVID-19.