AGENDA #4e

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM :           W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:       Gates Foundation Grant Acceptance 

 

DATE  :           November 27, 2000

 

 

The attached resolution would authorize the Manager to accept a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grant of $18,358 to provide computer equipment ($17,608) and wiring ($750) and to contract for services.  The attached budget ordinance would amend the current library operating budget to include an additional $18,358 to purchase equipment and services associated with implementing the grant.     

 

BACKGROUND

 

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s U.S. Library Program works in partnership with public libraries to provide every citizen with access to computers, the Internet and digital information, especially patrons in low-income communities in the United States.  As of the second quarter 2000, the Library Program has completed funding and training in eleven states and Washington, D.C., with the installation of computers with Internet access in 2,671 buildings.  

 

The Gates grant provides individual library buildings with money for hardware and software, technology training and technical assistance.   Eligibility is determined by Gates Foundation Library Program staff, and is based in part on the percentage of the library building's service population that is below the poverty level.  

 

We submitted a grant application on August 24 and were notified on October 23 that the grant had been approved.  We received a check for $18,358 on November 3 to purchase the Gates grant package which includes 4 computers, one server, a network hub and printer, software and a wiring allowance.  This would bring the total number of public access Internet stations to 17. 

 

 

The Gates grant requires no local match on the part of the Town.  Additionally, the grant provides maintenance, technical support and additional software upgrades for the first three years of operation.   After three years, the Town would be required to maintain the grant purchased equipment through its regular operating budget.  

 

The Library Board reviewed the grant award at its November 15 meeting and recommended that the Town Council accept the Gates grant.

 

 

DISCUSSION

 

The State Library recommends that libraries serving a population the size of Chapel Hill provide 17  public access Internet stations.  If accepted by the Town Council this evening, the Gates grant would bring the total number of public access Internet stations from 13 to 17. 

 

Currently, the library does not have adequate bandwidth, or speed, to support additional Internet access.  However, in January the library will install a high speed data communications line that will allow up to 180 users to access the Internet.  This line will also allow patrons to access the Library’s catalog on the Web, in addition to the existing Telnet access currently provided. 

 

The Gates grant package will provide more patrons with access to the Internet, including NC Live and the library catalog and a better computer printer.  It will also provide patrons with word processing, spread sheets, and children’s learning software packages not previously offered by the library. 

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

Library Board of Trustees’ Recommendation:  That the Town Council accept the Gates grant (November 15, 2000).

 

Manager’s Recommendation:  That the Town Council adopt the following resolution and attached budget ordinance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE TOWN MANAGER TO ACCEPT THE GATES FOUNDATION GRANT FOR $18,358 AND TO CONTRACT FOR SERVICES RELATED TO INSTALLATION OF THE EQUIPMENT (2000-11-27 R-5)

 

WHEREAS, interim State Library guidelines recommend that a library serving a population the size of Chapel Hill provide seventeen public Internet stations; and

 

WHEREAS, the library currently provides 13 public Internet stations; and

 

WHEREAS, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has approved the Town’s application for a U.S. Library Program grant totaling $18,358 to purchase equipment including four public Internet stations, as well as services; and

 

WHEREAS, the grant requires no local matching funds; and

 

WHEREAS, costs associated with maintaining, supporting and upgrading the equipment and software are covered by the grant for the first three years;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Town Manager be authorized to accept the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation U.S. Library Program grant and to purchase equipment and to contract for installation services.     

 

This the 27th day of November, 2000.

 

 

 

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND “THE ORDINANCE CONCERNING APPROPRIATIONS AND THE RAISING OF REVENUE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 2000 2000-11-27/O-4)

 

BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Budget Ordinance entitled “An Ordinance Concerning Appropriations and the Raising of Revenue for the Fiscal Year Beginning July 1, 2000” as duly adopted on June 26, 2000 be and the same is hereby amended as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

                                                  Current                                                                       Revised

APPROPRIATIONS                  Budget                Increase           Decrease                  Budget

 

GENERAL FUND

 

            Police                        1,774,827                  18,358                                      1,793,185

 

 

ARTICLE II

 

                                                  Current                                                                       Revised

REVENUES                               Budget                Increase           Decrease                  Budget

 

GENERAL FUND

           

            Grants                           518,583                  18,358                                         536,941

           

 

 

This the 27th day of November, 2000.