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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20070820 - VIII-C-2 VIII-C-2 MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: Honorable Mayor and City Conncilmembers Dave Osberg, City Administrator Angnst 16,2007 Request from Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION It is recommended that the City Council take action authorizing an expenditure of no more than $12,000 for an additional sign at the Pleasant Hill Library, as requested in the attached letter from the Friends of the Library. In addition, the City Council is also asked to take action directing the members of the City Council Finance Committee to establish criteria for future use of the Ruth Doffing Library Trust Funds. BACKGROUND On September 6, 1994 the City Council adopted the enclosed Resolution recognizing Mrs. Ruth Doffing's specific request regarding uni-trust funds for public library funds. This resolution was adopted, referencing the establishment of the Charitable Remainder Trust in July, 1990. At the November 1,2004 City Council meeting, Jeff Carlson from Carlson Capital Management was in attendance to provide a presentation on the donation and to recognize the $86,000 donation from Ruth Doffing. Ruth Doffing died on May 22, 2004. On July 19, 2007 I received the attached letter from the Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library requesting $12,000 for sign for the Pleasant Hill Library that will be located on the frontage on Highway #55. This is the first request by the Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library, as the City Council will note from the attached letter, the intent of the new sign is to provide greater visibility from Highway #55, not only for the Library location itself, but the hours of operation for those interested in visiting the Library. Dakota County would be responsible for the sign design and installation, and upon completion of the project, the City would submit reimbursement to the County, who would have the direct contract with the sign manufacturer and installer. In order to establish criteria for future considerations of the requests for use of the Doffing funds, Staff would suggest the members of the Finance Committee conduct a meeting(s) [at the conclusion of the 2008 Budget process], and forward recommendations for the City Council to consider. Staff would likely invite members from Dakota County, the Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library and Jeff Carlson, to a meeting to assist with the discussion on the criteria for future use of the funds. cc. K Swanson Ken Harrington Jeff Carlson Dave Osberg, City Administrator City of Hastings 10 I 4th Street East Hastings, Minnesota 55033 Dear Mr. Osberg: I am writing on behalf of the Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library. Our board met on July II, and voted to support the addition of a new sign along the library's frontage on Highway 55. The new sign is intended to provide additional visibility to the library. There is no other sign denoting the building until you are on the frontage road right in front it. The sign is also designed to quickly signal to people traveling on Highway 55 whether the library is open or closed. We believe this will be a significant benefit to city residents in that they will no longer need to proceed up Pleasant Drive to view the current sign to determine this status. Dakota County Capital Planning-Property Management and the Dakota County Library worked together to design a similar sign for the Wentworth Library in West Saint Paul. This approach helped reduce design costs. The estimate for the sign is approximately $12,000. Additionally, we strongly support the use of Doffing funds as a source of revenue for this project. It is our belief that the sign will meet the bequest's goal of improving library services to the residents of Hastings. Since the Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library have substantial discretion in advising the City of Hastings on distribution of these funds, we trust this recommendation will be given full consideration. Ifthere is additional information that would assist you in evaluating this request, please feel free to contact me. ~~ Kathy Swanson Treasurer Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library For Kathy Almendinger President of Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library ~/~/)7~/ Minnesota Center for Philanthropy Hastings, MN FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Doffing Charitable Fund will benefit Hastings, Wabasha HASTINGS, MN--The Minnesota Center for Philanthropy has announced the establishment of the Ruth and George Doffing Charitable Fund for the benefit of charitable efforts in Hastings and Wabasha. Prior to her death May 22, at age 93, Ruth Gale Doffing of Hastings established the fund and directed that it be funded with estate proceeds totaling in excess of $7.5 million. Greg Carlson, an officer of The Minnesota Center for Philanthropy, said an amount equal to five ,per cent of the fund's value--approximately $375,000 the first year--will be distributed to charitable endeavors in Hastings and Wabasha each year. "We anticipate that the fund's principal will grow each year so that the yearly contribution to charitable enterprises in Hastings and Wabasha will increase correspondingly. During the next 50 years it is conceivable that over $30 million will be distributed." Carlson said. In addition, Ruth gave over $86,000 to the City of Hastings to be used for reading programs. books, computers, and other needed items at the Pleasant Hill Library in Hastings. Ruth Gale was born in Moulton, IA., near the Missouri border Aug. 20, 1910. The family moved to South Dakota and then to Minnesota. Ruth graduated from Minneapolis Central High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society. Shortly after graduation, she went to work as a teller at Northwestern National Bank of Minneapolis and began to cultivate an interest in travel. Ruth Gale and George Doffing were married in 1947 and moved to Hastings the next year. George and his brothers established the First State Bank of Wabasha. He and Ruth also were instrumental in establishing the Hastings Country Club. After only 12 1/2 years of marriage, George died in 1960. (Ov<:r) Continuing her early-life interest Ruth became a world traveler and also a contributor to charitable and other non-profit causes. She gave generously to the City of Hastings. Hastings Public Schools, St Elizabeth's Medical Center in Wabasha. and many others. Ruth was an enthusiastic golfer and retained her Country Club membership until age 90. She served on the board of directors of the First State Bank of Wabash a until her death. "Ruth was a good person to have on our Board," stated John Doftlng, Ruth's nephew and President of the bank. "She knew the people of Wabasha and had a great interest in seeing the community and our residents prosper" She also was a voracious reader, enjoyed crossword puzzles, knitting, and tennis, as well as golf. Ruth always said her growing up years were comfortable but not affluent. Jeff Carlson. her long time financial advisor said. She said they taught her to be careful with money. to value education. to work (and play) hard, to plan welL and to be self-sufficient. "The establishment of this fund was a direct outgrovvth of Ruth's lifelong interest in people and their betterment and in the communities of Hastings and Wabasha." Carlson said. "She was a wonderful friend and counselor to many people." he said. "She believed strongly in the philosophy that it is better to create opportunities for people than to give handouts and her wish was that the grants from this fund reflect that philosophy." Carlson said. The Minnesota Center for Philanthropy is a non-protit organization established to promote philanthropy by providing effective, efficient and flexible means for individuals to carry out their charitable objectives. The Center encourages charitable giving by educating potential donors about the benefits and rewards of philanthropy, provides useful information about various techniques for charitable giving and facilitates donors in their quest to fulfill their philanthropic objectives. The Minnesota Center for Philanthropy will form an advisory committee in Hastings and Wabasha to determine grant recipients. ) ..J City of Hastings HASTINGS ON THE , MISSISSIPPI 101 4th Street E. . Hastings, Minnesota 55033-1955 612.437.4127 . Fax: 61h437.7082 September 9, 1994 Ms. Gale Doffing 1001 Lyn Way #311 Hastings, Minnesota 55033 Dear Ms. Doffing: Enclosed please find a copy of a Resolution adopted by the City Council at its meeting on September 6, 1994 recognizing your request regarding the funds for the public library. On behalf of the City of Hastings I want to thank you for your contribution, and the City will do its best to be certain to honor your wishes for uses of the funds for the library. If you should have any questions in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me at the Hastings City Hall. Sincerely, THE CITY OF HASTINGS ~A~ David M. Osberg City Administrat Enclosure cc: Jeff Carlson DMO: cml An Equal Opportunity Employer RESOLUTION NO. 84_94 RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING MRS. RUTH DOFFING'S SPECIFIC REQUEST REGARDING UNITRUST FUNDS FOR PUBLIC LmRARY PURPOSES WHEREAS, Ruth Doffing has executed a Charitable Remainder Unitrust dated July 16, 1990, and; WHEREAS, the City of Hastings shall be the recipient of certain funds from Mrs. Doffing's estate upon her death, and; WHEREAS, the funds are to be used for public library purposes which shall include the acquisition of land for a public library in Hastings or the payment on any bonds issued to ffiance the purchase of land used for a public library in Hastings, and; WHEREAS, the Unitrust is irrevocable and cannot be amended except for certain purposes so as to assure its qualification as a charitable remainder Unitrust, and; WHEREAS, since the execution of the Charitable Remainder Unitrust the new public library has been constructed, and; WHEREAS, Mrs. Doffing has recently requested the City of Hastings to recognize her specific requests that the funds be: "Used to purchase things for the library that are not in their normal budget. It may be possible to keep the money invested and use the annual income for these purchases. The decision as to what should be purchased could be made by the Executive Board of the Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library," and; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Hastings hereby supports and recognizes the request of Mrs. Doffing, and will seek to honor her request, and encourages all further City Councils to do the same. ADOPTED BY THE CITY OF THE CITY OF HASTINGS, MINNESOTA TillS 6TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1994. Ayes: Comlc.iJ.nB:J:i:Jer Jotmson, S~cek, Traubnann, Hicks, Riveness and. Mayor ~ Nays: None ~~~ Mayor ATTEST: .~</t:~v City Clerk