I’ve been this way before
“I’ve seen the light And I’ve seen the flame And I’ve been this way before And ‘m sure to be this way again; For I’ve been refused And I’ve been regained…”
On Tuesday night, the city council will be discussing how much to subsidize the Alameda Museum in the coming year. Initially discussed at Laurendo.com, since 1999, the city has been giving the museum money to cover its rent. The subsidy, originally $38,400 has increased 20% over the past 8 years to $46,160.
The Revised Staff report recommends that the city reduce its subsidy by about 10% this year, and there has been talk of reducing this subsidy by about 10% the following years as well.
I don’t have a problem with subsidizing community groups that bring a benefit to the city, but what caught my eye was that there has been no agreement between the city and the museum over the past eight years, and that as a part of the deal for receiving the money, the city has never asked for copy of the museum’s work plan or business plan. (All of these are suggested in the current staff report).
Missing from the staff report is any indication that the city has any sort of policy regarding funding community organizations or whatever organizations currently receive funding or benefits from the city. As a past board member of BikeAlameda, I don’t recall a check for $40K coming to help organize all of the bike parking, education events, etc. that BikeAlameda provides.
I’m not suggesting that BikeAlameda should get the money that the museum is currently receiving. But the lack of any policy or plan on how to look at this issue leaves it open to a very subjective implementation. Groups that are connected politically will have a much easier time getting money from the city, even if they are less deserving. Before the council approves any money for the museum, it would seem to be fiscally prudent for them to gather a lot more information than they are being provided Tuesday night.
First, identify all the groups that are receiving money so that this discussion is not happening in a vacuum. This list should include reduced rents, etc.
Second, identify or create guidelines as to who can receive city funds. It would seem that programs that help the most people would be given a higher priority. It would also seem to make sense for city money to be used to help organizations gain a foothold and then soar on their own.
Third, go so far as to create a process for receiving one-year, two-year, and/or five-year grants from the city.
Four, look at the museum subsidy as a part of the overall picture, if it still makes sense, then give them the money. But how can anybody know with the information that’s currently available?
If all this seems just a tad too bureaucratic, then at least get some attendance numbers for the museum itself, since that’s what the city is paying the rent for. The lectures are underwritten by citizens and businesses and the Meyers House, also operated by the Alameda Historic Society, seems to be unattached to this funding amount. Also, the staff’s suggestion that in return for funding, the museum provide “a work plan that includes goals and strategies for self-sufficiency”, and a “funding and technical assistance plan to implement the adoption of the budget,” don’t seem to much to ask for what has been over $300,000 in funding since 1999.
kate quick
June 25th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
What is really astounding is that the Friends of the Alameda Free Library, which has raised and given thousands of dollars to the Ciity every year for decades, to enhance Library services, was forced into a contract with the City some years ago because it received library discards and sorted books in the wet and dingy basement of the old Children’s Library and therefore was “recieving something of value” from the City. The Friends never asked the City for money - they are in the business of working to raise money and GIVE it to the City, but were the subject of complaint for advocacy of the new library, which some opposed. The City needs to be sure that there is equitable treatment of groups providing voluntary services to it.