Purple Light Initiative for Domestic Violence Awareness

Purpose:  The purpose of this report is to update Council on a request to illuminate the outside of the Municipal Center in purple lighting during October for Domestic Violence Awareness month and to seek approval for the City to participate in the initiative.

Background:  Staff was contacted by Mary Sheie, an Anoka County resident and active participant in several local and metro area domestic violence awareness groups.  She had earlier submitted a proposal to the Anoka County Sheriff to participate in the "Purple Lights Initiative" which is an initiative to illuminate the outside of government buildings in purple during October 2018, which is Domestic Violence Awareness month.  Sheriff Stuart agreed to illuminate the Sheriff's Office Building on Hanson Boulevard during the entire month of October. 

The Council met in May at a work session and voice support for a proposal to also illuminate the Ramsey City Buildings. Under the proposal,  the City of Ramsey would light its public buildings and spaces purple, the signatory hue for domestic violence, in October 2018.  The purpose is to highlight/draw attention to the issue of domestic abuse and join a "Conversation" about it that is already going on both statewide and nationally.  From that conversation will flow more local education and awareness about this critical issue.  

The organization has met with city staff and identified areas that could be lit, preliminary costs, and local business sponsors.  An article is being published in the upcoming city newsletter and the group will provide an update to the city in regard to any funding that they may still need.

In July, the following updates were provided by the organization:
 

• In discussions with the Domestic & Sexual Violence Coalition of Anoka County, we are trying to determine how much money they are willing to contribute. They have not yet said a number. I will meet with them the first week of August and should know more then.
• We intend to look for other organizations or individuals to contribute. 
• Between now and when we meet with the Coalition, I will be purchasing samples of different types of lights and how much they cost. When we determine which lights seem best for each location, we’ll need to know how many & what type we’ll need. Can I assume Dan Bray is the one to talk to to tell us, for example, how many strings of lights were used on the trees in front at Christmas?
• Looks like we’re only committing to doing this for the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office and the City of Ramsey for 2018. Depends on resources. 
• For Ramsey, we think we could do lights on the trees (the ones with outlets underneath) lights on the fence and flood lights. I will be purchasing some samples of each and may be asking to come up and try them out. 
• Cathy Green talked to the energy company and they seem to be willing to install. 

It is anticipated that Ms. Sheie, Ms. Refshaw and/or Ms. Green will be available at the work session this evening to talk more about the proposal as well as answer any questions. 

Based on amount, funding may be allocated from regular line items.

City Administrator Kurt Ulrich.

Council feedback, plus consensus approval and support for the City to participate in the Purple Lights initiative to draw attention to the issue of domestic abuse during Domestic Violence month which is October, 2018 as discussed.