APPROVAL OF FUND RAISERS, LTD. AS SOLE SOURCE BID:

BRICK ENGRAVING AND PROGRAM SUPPORT FOR THE MILLENNIUM WALKWAY

Recommendation

Staff recommends that Council approve Fund Raisers, Ltd. to provide engraving and program support for the Millennium Walkway fundraiser.

Background

At the September 22, 1998 meeting, Council approved various programs for our Hermosa Beach 2000 Celebration. One of the programs approved was a millennium walkway to be dedicated January 1, 2000. Planned for Noble Park, this walkway will consist of up to 2000 personalized bricks engraved in exchange for a $100 donation to the City that will help fund our celebration activities.

Analysis

Staff initiated this program with the Spring 1999 Recreation Brochure and we have already received an enthusiastic response from the public. Staff contacted other agencies that hosted successful fundraisers of this type and received overwhelming recommendations for Fund Raisers, Ltd. who not only engrave the bricks, but also provide participating agencies with a "how to" manual and software to assist in marketing the program and processing requests.

The cost breakdown for the bricks is as follows:

Quantity ordered	1-100	100-300	300-3,000
Cost per Brick (includes freight)	$11.00	$10.50	$9.50

Since this type of a fundraiser can be challenging to manage, it is essential that staff work with a company that is set-up especially to accommodate it. In addition, virtually every agency staff contacted (e.g., the Long Beach Aquarium) had used Fund Raisers, Ltd. for their program.

The cost per brick allows for a healthy margin of fundraising on behalf of the Hermosa Beach 2000 celebration. Staff is currently working with Commissioner Kuh to develop a design for the walkway that will be presented to Council for final approval. Subsequent to that approval, staff can estimate installation costs that should also prove to be modest, leaving the majority of the funds raised available for our civic celebration.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Installation costs have not been determined. At $9.50 engraving cost per brick, the City will raise $90.50 per brick that will be placed in the Millennium Walkway Fund and used for the Hermosa Beach 2000 celebration. The grid below identifies potential fundraising targets:

500 Bricks sold	1,000 Bricks sold	2,000 Bricks sold
$45,250	$90,500	$181,000

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