City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 18, 2014
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: RASHAD M. YOUNG, CITY MANAGER/s/
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Consideration of Release of Funds from FY 2014 Contingent Reserves to Support the City Manager's Office Community Engagement Initiative.
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ISSUE: Consideration of release of funds in the amount of $20,000 from FY 2014 Contingent Reserves to support a new Community Engagement initiative.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council approve the release of $20,000 from FY 2014 Contingent Reserves to fund a new Community Engagement initiative.
BACKGROUND: During the FY 2013 Add Delete process, City Council added $20,000 to the FY 2013 Operating Budget to fund initiatives that would increase community engagement. These funds were reappropriated in December 2014 for use in FY 2014.
DISCUSSION: The City Manager's Office requests that the funds be transferred at this time to pay for software that will enable the City to engage the public in a facilitated online forum to discuss specific upcoming projects. The online forum will enable the city to gather public input and feedback of pending projects. The online forum will be open to anyone with internet access and will be used in addition to traditional methods.
FISCAL IMPACT: The only fiscal impact at this time is a one-time purchase of software. Ongoing facilitating and monitoring of the forum will be handled by existing staff throughout the year.
STAFF:
Jerome Fletcher, Special Assistant to the City Manager