HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated March 10, 2026ITEM #:11
DATE:03-10-26
DEPT:ADMIN
SUBJECT:FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE 2026 BUILDING COMMUNITY
BREAKFAST
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
The City of Ames, the Ames Human Relations Commission (AHRC), Ames Regional
Economic Alliance (AREA), Story County Board of Supervisors, McFarland Clinic, Kingland
Systems, and ITC Midwest are partnering to host the second “Building Community Breakfast”
gathering.
This year ’s event will be held on Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 7:30-9:00 a.m. The event
will be hosted at Reiman Gardens. The keynote speaker this year is Liz Nead. Liz is an Emmy
Award-winning host and bestselling author who serves as a high-level executive coach and
consultant, delivering leadership and teambuilding strategies for major organizations like
PayPal, News Corp, and the National Guard. During the event, Liz will emphasize how to
establish a collaborative work environment where everyone feels respected, included, and
valued as a member of their organization rather than just a worker.
The City of Ames, AREA, and Story County Board of Supervisors have been asked to
financially sponsor the event at the $5,000 level. The cost of hosting the event is detailed in
the attachment. Financial contributions will be used to help cover speaker fees, event sponsor
recognition, meals, marketing, and promotion. If approved, the $5,000 City contribution
would come from the FY 2026/27 City Council contingency fund ($4,000) and the FY
2026/27 AHRC operating budget ($1,000). The sponsorship will include 10 tickets to the
event.
The registration cost to attend the event is $40. There is also the opportunity for other
community sponsorship levels at $1,000 and $500.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Authorize the FY 2026/27 expenditure of $5,000 ($4,000 from Council Contingency
Account and $1,000 from AHRC operating budget) in support of the 2026 Building
Community Breakfast.
2. Deny the request to sponsor the Building Community Breakfast.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Events like the Building Community Breakfast foster a sense of community and
encourage collaboration. It is also an opportunity for the City of Ames to connect and
engage with community members, aligning with the City Council values. Therefore, the
City Manager recommends that the City Council adopt Alternative No. 1, as noted above.
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ATTACHMENT(S):
Building Community Breakfast 2026 Letter to Mayor.pdf
Building Community Breakfast Budget 2026.pdf
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February 19, 2026
Mayor John Haila
City of Ames
515 Clark Avenue
Ames, IA 50010
Mayor Haila,
I write to you respectfully requesting a $5,000 sponsorship for the 2026 Building Community
Breakfast. The event will be held on Thursday, October 22 at Reiman Gardens.
This will be our eighth year of hosting the event focused on uplifting community members
in the workplace and organizations. We are very excited about the agenda that is being
assembled, with partners that have assisted us with previous events.
I hope that you will join the Ames Regional Economic Alliance and numerous other partners in
financially sponsoring this terrific event.
I appreciate your consideration and look forward to hearing from you very soon.
Sincerely,
Daniel A. Culhane
President & CEO
Ames Regional Economic Alliance
Bronwyn Beatty-Hansen, Ward One Council Member
Tim Gartin, Ward Two Council Member
Gloria Betcher, Ward Three Council Member
Rachel Junck, Ward Four Council Member
Amber Corrieri, At-Large Council Member
Anita Rollins, At-Large Council Member
Emily Boland, Ex-Officio Council Member
Steve Schainker, City Manager
Casandra Eames, City of Ames Engagement Coordinator
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Income Budget
Ames Regional Economic Alliance 5,000.00$
City of Ames/Human Relations Commission 5,000.00$
Story County Board of Supervisors 5,000.00$
McFarland Clinic 1,500.00$
Kingland Systems 1,500.00$
ITC Midwest 500.00$
Registrations 4,000.00$
Total 22,500.00$
Expenses Budget
Speaker fees 5,000.00$
Marketing & Promotion 3,000.00$
Conference Center event use and F&B 9,500.00$
Event Correspondence/Sponsor Recognition 1,500.00$
Sponsor and partner tickets 3,500.00$
Total 22,500.00$
2026 Building Community Breakfast
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