[Vision-l] Funding applications for public communication providers

[Imagine Columbia’s Future]

Dear Vision Partners -

The Governance and Decision Making Vision Statement reads: "Columbia's
governance is a model of transparency, efficiency, and citizen
participation that enjoys the strong confidence of its residents."
(Final Vision Report, page 82)

In that spirit, the City's Public Communications Resource Advisory
Committee is seeking applicants for public communication funds that can
be used to expand or enhance communication among citizens and city
officials on issues of importance to the community. 

Assistant City Manager Paula Hertwig Hopkins would be happy to answer
any questions you may have about the funding processing and to discuss
how these funds are designed to build partnerships that support
Columbia's vision for a connected, engaged and informed community. 

Further details are available in the following press release.

City of Columbia
  
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 19, 2009
Contact:  Paula Hertwig Hopkins
Assistant City Manager
(573) 874-7214
						
City advisory committee seeks applicants for public communications
funds

COLUMBIA, MO (February 19, 2009) - Applications for public
communications resource funding will be available starting February 20,
2009.  This is the second year that the city has funded a partnership
with other public communication service providers to expand or enhance
communication among citizens and city officials on issues of importance
to the community.  

Project funding, ranging from $1,000 to $20,000, is available to the
following types of eligible applicants: 
1) single not-for-profit entities, government agencies or educational
institutions; 
2) a partnership of public communication-type entities; or 
3) partnerships of a single public communications entity and other
related entities such as schools, social service agencies, libraries,
museums, etc. 

This is not a grant, as all funds must be contracted for communication
services.

The application package is available on the city’s Web site at
www.GoColumbiaMo.com and at the City Manager’s Office, 5th floor,
Daniel Boone Building, 701 W. Broadway.  An application workshop will be
held at 4 p.m., March 26, 2009 in the City Hall Mezzanine Conference
Room, 701 E. Broadway.   

The funds are generated through monthly fees paid by video service
providers to the City of Columbia, as authorized by city ordinance. A
seven-member Public Communications Resource Advisory Committee (PCRAC),
which was appointed by the City Council, will coordinate an open,
competitive process to solicit applications and recommend funding levels
to the City Council.  Completed applications must be received in the
City Manager’s Office by 5 p.m. on May 1, 2009.  Communication
services must be provided within the City’s corporate limits during
the project period October 1, 2009 - December 31, 2010.

The application process will follow the schedule shown below.
Feb. 20, 2009	Applications available
Mar. 26, 2009	Application workshop (time and location to be announced)
                 
Apr. 6, 2009	Deadline for submission of application for draft review 
                     
May 1, 2009	Complete applications due by 5 p.m. to City Manager’s
Office
May 28, 2009	PCRAC will discuss applications in a public meeting
July 3, 2009	Letters to applicants with PCRAC funding recommendations
and comments                                                            
                                                                 July
16, 2009	PCRAC will hold public hearing on applications
Aug. 3 or 17, 2009 	PCRAC will make presentations to City Council at
the Council meeting
Dec. 18, 2009	Contracts will be presented to City Council for its
approval                            

For information about eligibility, or to request an application,
contact the City Manager’s Office at (573) 874-7214 or email Assistant
City Manager Paula Hertwig Hopkins at PHHOPKIN at GoColumbiaMo.com.

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