City of Gonzales
CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: January 16, 2024
FROM: Carmen Gil, City Manager
THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: Agreement with Armanasco PR for Community Center Complex Capital Campaign Support
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council Approve an Agreement between the City of Gonzales and Armanasco Public Relations Inc. through December 31, 2024, for services rendered to support the Community Center Capital Campaign not to exceed $48,000 ($24,000 per fiscal year) out of the Community Cetner Budget Fund.
BACKGROUND
Gonzales is excited about the progress made on the Gonzales Community Center Complex. While for many years it was considered a dream, today we are making strides on making it a reality. The Design Criteria documents have been completed and we are well on our way to completing the final Construction Documents. Taking us to the groundbreaking ceremony on April 27th, 2024.
Armanasco Public Relations (APR) has been working with staff to fundraise and since the kickoff of the Capital Campaign we have managed to secure $6.6 million dollars in multi-year pledges. APR’s experience and expertise in fundraising as well as their reputation and connections with the community have made a huge difference and have helped immensely. However, we are still approximately $10 million dollars short of securing the rest of the funds needed to build Phase 2 of the project, with APR’s support we can continue the efforts as well as seek out grant opportunities for the project. Additionally, they have the relationship with the donors that made the commitment to fund the center and many of those pledges need to be followed up on and it is best that they continue to take the lead on it since they generated the original commitment.
REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
AGENDA
ITEM
13 Without the additional support and expertise that APR brings we can be limiting ourselves to funding that can come in after the excitement of the groundbreaking ceremony in April of 2024. This extension to their contract allows them to continue to be part of the team and provide the additional capacity needed to generate additional funding for the Center through June and on as needed basis after that.
APR will continue to support staff in developing and implementing a successful capital campaign through the following actions:
1. Development and updating of Campaign Materials and Communication Tools
2. Continue to Support Donor Identification / Stakeholder Database
3. Campaign Administration Support
4. Media Outreach
5. Speakers Bureau
6. Grant Writing Support
7. Monthly Coordination Meetings with Staff
Explain Recommendation and How it Supports the Vision
Gonzales will continue to be a safe, clean, family-friendly community, diverse in its heritage, and committed to working collaboratively to preserve and retain its small town charm.
Explain: It is important that the city continue to conduct a successful capital campaign and with the groundbreaking coming up we anticipate more opportunities to generate donor interest.
Securing the rest of the funding is imperative to building Phase 2 of the Center which will help us materialize the community’s vision of establishing a local community center that can increase community opportunities and access to safe spaces for families and residents of all ages.
Explain how the Recommendation Directly Implements the Mission The City Council and Staff of the City of Gonzales will realize our Vision by providing the leadership, commitment, and resources necessary to provide excellent services that enhance the quality of life of our diverse community.
Explain: Armanasco Public Relations, Inc. will help to provide the city with the additional capacity needed to remind donors of their current pledges and will continue to support staff in seeking additional dollars.
City services will be delivered in a cost-effective, respectful, and friendly manner to insure the safety and well being of the residents and the promotion of business, recreational, housing and employment opportunities in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Explain: See above.
Strong fiscal policies allow us to provide appropriate infrastructure for:
• Public Safety X Yes No N/A
• Housing Yes No X N/A
• Recreation X Yes No N/A
• Environment X Yes No N/A
• Education X Yes No N/A
Explain: Staff believes using experts in this area is critical as the excitement that builds around the groundbreaking ceremony can bring about additional opportunities for donations.
ALTERNATIVES
Alternative 1 – The City Council could direct staff to modify the Agreement to change the amount or period of time covered. Staff will modify as directed.
Alternative 2 – The City Council could direct staff to discontinue to contract with APR for support on the Capital Campaign. However, that can pose additional challenges as staff capacity is already limited and we may miss an opportunity with the groundbreaking happening in April, where we could generate additional donor interest, as well as identifying other grant opportunities we could pursue.
BUDGET IMPACT
The total cost of the contract for the next six months is $4,000 a month for a total of $24,000. As of July, we will only lean on APR on an as needed basis under the same assumption of $4,000 a month with a total not to exceed $24,000 in FY 24/25. This contract will be covered under the 100-112-6245 (Community Center Fund).
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council Approve an Agreement between the City of Gonzales and Armanasco Public Relations Inc. through December 31, 2024, for services rendered to support the Community Center Capital Campaign not to exceed $48,000 over two fiscal years. $24,000 for the current FY 23/24 and $24,000 for FY 24/25.
Attachments:
1. Agreement with Armanasco PR