MEMORANDUM 04-47

DATE: March 16, 2004

TO: Mayor Cushing / Homer City Council

FROM: Walt Wrede

SUBJECT: MOU Between City and Homer Animal Friends

Attached is a Memorandum of Understanding between the City and Homer Animal Friends. I believe that this MOU is another important step in the City’s efforts to get a new animal shelter built this year. This MOU is similar to the ones the City has entered into with the Friends of the Homer Public Library and the Homer Hockey Association in the sense that it sets out the roles and responsibilities of the parties. It formalizes our relationship and spells out how we will reach our mutual goal of building a new shelter. Hopefully it will help us pool scarce resources and work in an efficient and productive manner.

One of the most important reasons for having this MOU is fundraising. There are a number of grant programs out there that are only available to nonprofits. If Homer Animal Friends applies for grants, they may stand a much better chance of getting them if the granting agency or foundation sees that they have a formal relationship with the City and that the City will take responsibility for things like maintenance and operations, financial accounting, audits, insurance, and so on.

RECOMMENDATION: That the Council approve and adopt the attached Memorandum of Understanding.