Review Adopt-a-flag Project Concept

The purpose of this case is to review the concept of an adopt-a-flag program for the municipal center area.  Attached our several examples of such programs from across the country.  Basically, the city would administer a program that would allow residents and businesses to sponsor American flags that would be displayed on lampposts in the vicinity of city hall.  Before developing and promoting such a program, staff is seeking agreement and feedback from the city council on the concept.

The existence of lampposts throughout the COR area provide an excellent opportunity to install flag brackets to mount American flags.  Initial thought is that the flags would be put up within a block each way of the Sapphire/Sunwood street intersection and include Veteran's Drive from the rail station, east to the VA clinic.  The flags would serve to mark the center of the downtown area, the government center, and as a way finder for the veterans utilizing the VA Clinic.

The program serves the city's strategies of strengthening and enhancing the city's identity and brand, and increasing citizen engagement.

N/A

Staff is currently researching other programs throughout the country to see which aspects may work best for Ramsey.  Initially, suggested that the city install a fixed number of flags (say 50), and then seek sponsorships that allow residents, families, civic groups, and businesses to "adopt" a flag for a fee, for which the sponsors would receive recognition ((E.g., wall plague, newsletter, certificate, etc.).  Most likely, the flags would be flown from Memorial Day through Veteran's Day in November.  An option would be to fly the flags only on holidays and special events, such as Happy Days.

Initial funding of flags would require an allocation of approximately $5,000 to $6,000.

It is recommended that the City Council discuss this program and give consensus direction to staff to review, modify, or stop consideration of such a program.

Consensus direction based upon discussion.