The Parmly Billings Library Foundation is a finalist for a new, $98,280 grant from the Institute of Museum Services Office of Strategic Partnerships in Washington, D.C.  The grant will be used for a Learning Labs in Libraries and Museums installation in the new Library soon to be under construction. 

However, the Institute notified the City on July 16 that it required written documentation that the Foundation has the ability to apply for the grant.  It also wanted documentation that the Library, as a public entity, would perform the statements and meet the assurances made in the grant application.  The written confirmation had to be in the Institute's hands by 5 p.m. EST on Monday, July 23.

Because there was no time to place the item on the Council agenda in advance, the City Administrator signed a memorandum of agreement with the Foundation, and it was forwarded to Washington on an emergency basis.  The Council now is being asked to ratify the application. 

The City Council may add the item to the Council agenda of July 23 by a three-quarters vote of those present and them may:

• Approve the item, allowing the grant to proceed; or
• Deny the item, ending the grant process and making the City find other sources for the new facility.

There is no grant match.  If the Foundation does not receive the grant, the City may have to find alternative funding or abandon the project in the new Library.

The staff recommends that the Council add the item to the July 23rd agenda and ratify the City Administrator's approval of the grant application.