[Vision-l] Vision Related Update (Communication Funding Opportunity)

[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)

On behalf of the City of Columbia and the Public Communications
Resource Advisory Committee, you may be interested in the following
press release regarding funds available through the City of Columbia.  

The release included in the text below and is available online at:
http://gocolumbiamo.com/Public_Comm/Public_Information/Press_Releases/1_26_10cityadvisory.php


**************************************************************
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 26, 2010
Contact: Paula Hertwig Hopkins
              Assistant City Manager
	  (573) 874-7214
						
City advisory committee seeks applicants for public communications
funds

(COLUMBIA, MO) - Applications for public communications resource
funding will be available starting Jan. 29. This is the third 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 $15,000, 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 will be available on the city’s Web site at
www.GoColumbiaMo.com Jan. 29 and at the City Manager’s Office, 5th
floor, Daniel Boone Building, 701 E. Broadway. An application workshop
will be held at 4 p.m., Feb. 25, 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, 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 April 19. Communication services must be provided
within the City’s corporate limits during the project period Oct. 1,
2010 - Dec. 31, 2011.

The application process will follow the schedule shown below.
Jan. 29, 2010	
Applications available

Feb. 25, 2010	
Application workshop (Mezzanine Conference Room)                  

March 12, 2010	
Deadline for submission of application for draft review                
      

April 19, 2010	
Complete applications due by 5 p.m. to City Manager’s Office

May 6, 2010
Application review and clarification session 
(Applicants invited to be present to answer committee questions)

July 5, 2010		
Letters to applicants with Advisory Committee funding recommendations
and comments                                                            
                                                                 

July 22, 2010
Committee’s public hearing on funding recommendations

Aug. 16 or Sept. 7, 2010 	
Funding recommendations presented to City Council for approval

November 2010	
Contracts will be presented to City Council for approval               
            

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