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CASE// <br /> <br />CONSIDER POLICY FOR DONATIONS OF PROPERTY OR CASH <br />[UNSOLICITED AND SOLICITED] <br /> By: Jessie Hart, Finance Officer <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />Over the years, the City of Ramsey has accepted a wide variety of donations in the form of <br />property, cash designated for specific purposes and cash for unidentified purposes. Some of <br />these donations have been solicited, others are given as a good will gesture. While this is a <br />common practice for cities, it is recommended that a policy be in place, especially with the ethics <br />laws that were passed in recent legislative sessions. There is also the perception issue of <br />someone other than the City Council making these types of decisions. <br /> <br />It has come to our attention that certain departments have been receiving donated property over <br />the years [some at high replacement values] that have not made it onto the listing of fixed assets, <br />for whatever reason. Therefore, these donated assets are not currently being funded on an annual <br />basis for replacement purposes. <br /> <br />I surveyed a number of cities and the League of Minnesota Cities and most did not have a written <br />policy in place. Most organizations I spoke to requested a copy of our policy if adopted, as they <br />too are becoming concerned with potential ethics violations. Some of the policies and practices <br />in other organizations did not allow for the donation of actual property, but rather required the <br />donation in the form of cash with designations attached. <br /> <br />In any event, the policy should detail the steps that must be taken when someone wishes to <br />donate property or cash to the City and when any City representative solicits a donation [other <br />than those authorized for specific events and approved during that process]. The policy should <br />also take into consideration the cost benefit of accepting certain donations [maintenance, <br />insurance, staff time, and other associated costs]. <br /> <br />In an attempt to address as many areas as possible, the attached policy has been drafted for <br />review and comments in anticipation of formal adoption. <br /> <br />Committee Action: <br /> <br />Based on discussion - recommend Council adoption of original or modified policy. <br /> <br />Reviewed by: <br />City Administrator <br />Finance Officer <br /> <br />Copies distributed to: <br />Administrative Services Manager <br />City Engineer <br />Police Chief <br />Fire Chief <br />Parks/Utilities Supervisor <br />Public Works Supervisor <br /> <br />FC: 05~8~6 <br /> <br /> <br />