HomeMy WebLinkAboutA004 - Letter to Council dated May 18, 2001 33A-�
Memo
City Manager's Office
e
aring People
Quality Programs
Exceptional Service
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Steven L. Schainker, City Manager
DATE: May 18, 2001
SUBJECT: Fire Station Bond Issue
On the Council Agenda for May 22 there are three items dealing with the proposed Fire Station bond
issue that will require your approval.
The first item involves passing a resolution setting the date for the bond election for June 26, 2001,
and approving the following language for the referendum:
"Shall the City of Ames, in Story County, Iowa, issue its bonds in an amount
not exceeding the amount of$1,310,000 for the purpose of paying the cost,
to that extent, of constructing and equipping afire station in and for the
City.
The second item requires your approval of$12,500 from the Contingency Fund to pay for the costs of
this unbudgeted, special election. These funds will allow us to offer polling hours at the regular
locations on June 26 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. as well as four satellite voting locations on June 16 and
June 23 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The third item concerns your allocation of monies from the Contingency Fund to cover a public
education plan for the project. Attached is an outline of a$6,500 informational campaign. While the
City cannot by state law use public funds to promote the passage of a bond election,we can use City
funds to educate the public about the project on which the public will vote. Interestingly, in 1991 the
Council approved$5,400 for an education campaign when the Family Aquatics/Youth Soccer Complex
was brought before the voters for their approval.
/sls
Fire Station 3 Information Campaign
In order to educate the public about the upcoming bond issue vote for a proposed third
fire station, funding is requested for a communication campaign. The campaign will attempt to
educated the public about the long range fire protection plan, as well as to inform them of the
upcoming special election.
Campaign Components
1) A two-color brochure - 6,000 copies ($785)
This would be distributed through speaking engagements, not mailed
2) An advertising campaign two weeks before the vote ($4050)
Radio and newspaper advertising in local media
3) An insert in the Tribune newspapers and shoppers- 28,000 in all ($1665)
4) City Side articles in February, March, May, June
5) TV 12 - program
6) Web information
7) Press release(s)
8) Speak to civic organizations and the Southdale Neighborhood
9) Local guest appearances on radio and TV as can be arranged
Cost to implement: $6500
Note: In 1991, $5400 was approved by the City Council for public education materials for a bond
issue for a family aquatics center/soccer complex.