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Motion by Councilmember Zimmerman and seconded by Councilmember Beahen to include the <br />Horse Care Board, the Charter Commission and the volunteer on the Fire Board in the offer of <br />stipend and that they have the opportunity to turn it back in to the City or to keep it. <br /> <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Hardin, Councilmembers Zimmerman, Beahen, Beyer and <br />Peterson. Voting No: None. <br /> <br />Motion by Councilmember Beyer and seconded by Councilmember Zimmerman to recommend <br />Council increase the amount of stipend for Commissioners, effective July 1, 1996, to $30 for the <br />Chair and $25 for the rest of the members. <br /> <br />Further discussion: Councilmember Zimmerman commented that it's been quite awhile since we <br />have looked at what's happened here. Inflation is a part of it. He did not want the commissions to <br />feel like we are forgetting about them. Let them know we appreciate them -boost their morale. <br /> <br />Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Hardin, Councilmembers Beyer, Zimmerman, Beahen and <br />Peterson. Voting No: None. <br /> <br />Case #3: Consider Policy for Donations of Property or Cash (Unsolicited and <br /> Solicited) <br /> <br />Finance Officer Hart pointed out that over the years, the City has accepted a wide variety of <br />donations in the form of property, cash designated for specific purposes and cash for unidentified <br />purposes. Some of these donations have been solicited, others are given as a good will gesture. <br />While this is a common practice for cities, it is recommended that a policy be in place, especially <br />with the ethics laws that were passed in recent legislative sessions. There is also the perception <br />issue of someone other than the City Council making these types of decisions. Certain <br />departments have been receiving donated property over the years that have not made it onto the list <br />of fixed assets. These assets would not be currently funded on an annual basis for replacement <br />purposes. Ms. Hart reported that she surveyed a number of cities plus the League of Minnesota <br />Cities and most did not have a written policy in place. Some of the policies and practices in other <br />organizations did not allow for the donation of actual property, but rather required the donation in <br />the form of cash with designations attached. She suggested that the policy should detail the steps <br />that must be taken when someone wishes to donate property or cash to the City and when any City <br />representative solicits a donation (other than those authorized for specific events and approved <br />during that process). The policy should also take into consideration the cost benefit of accepting <br />certain donations (maintenance, insurance, staff time, and other associated costs). She presented a <br />draft policy for review and comment. <br /> <br />Councilmember Zimmerman inquired if the City has received any major donations in the last ten <br />years. <br /> <br />Mr. Hart replied yes - mainly the Fire Department - things we didn't know about until they came to <br />see if a new one was funded. <br /> <br />Mr. Schroeder stated that we are not saying it's bad to receive donations and, generally, the Fire <br />Department has been very good about informing us of these things. He suggested that a gift costs <br />the City about 10% the cost of it per year. <br /> <br />Councilmember Zimmerman suggested that more damage could be done by refusing a donation. <br /> <br />Councilmember Peterson commented on a couple of donations and added that adopting this would <br />offer a procedure to follow. <br /> <br />Finance Committee/May 28, 1996 <br /> Page 3 of 5 <br /> <br /> <br />