ITEM TITLE:
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Approval of Valdez Eco-Stewardship Program
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SUBMITTED BY: Nicholas Farline, Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Director
FISCAL NOTES:
Expenditure Required: $44,105
Unencumbered Balance: $93,500
Funding Source: 350-0202-55000 Council Contingency Reserve
RECOMMENDATION:
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It is the recommendation of the PRCS Director, Parks & Recreation Commission, Prince William Sound College staff and the Superintendent of Valdez City Schools for City Council to direct staff to move forward with the Valdez Eco-Stewardship Program.
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SUMMARY STATEMENT:
* This agenda item requests Council approval for the proposed Valdez Eco-Stewardship Program ("VESP") and related internships, within the Parks and Recreation department.
* This program was originally presented to Council during the 2020 budget work sessions. Per Council request, the program was presented during a joint Council / Parks and Recreation Commission work session, during which time Council requested additional details regarding course syllabus, college credit earnings, and cost analysis.
* The additional requested items were presented to Recreation Commission on 1/14/2020 and the Recreation Commission voted 5 yays 0 nays with 2 absent to recommend City Council to direct PRCS staff to move forward with VESP.
* Staff is requesting funding in the 2020 Budget totaling $50,057.
o $5,952 is already embedded in the approved budget (Dual Credit / CSO)
o The remaining $44,105 represents new funding, and is presented as a separate budget amendment resolution.
* A detailed breakout of costs is attached to this agenda item VESP Costs.
BACKGROUND
* VESP was modeled after a national award winning 4-H program from Washington State. https://extension.wsu.edu/chelan-douglas/youth/youthdevelopment/ecostewardship/podaward/
o PRCS Director Nicholas Farline co-authored the 4-H Program of Distinction national award for the above mentioned program.
* VESP is a six (6) week program with one (1) week dedi...
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