Title
Amending Bill No. 877 authorizing the establishment of the Philadelphia Activities Fund (PAF), by allowing At-Large Councilmembers to bring recreational assistance activities and programs to the PAF Board of Directors for funding consideration, all under certain terms and conditions.
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WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia recognizes the significant role that recreation organizations and activities play in the quality of life of all Philadelphians; and
WHEREAS, The City recognizes that the contributions to the City by recreation organizations make it appropriate for the City to provide funds for their support; and
WHEREAS, Bill 877 authorized City Officials to establish The Philadelphia Activities Fund, a non-profit, to administer such a funding program; and
WHEREAS, Constituents have approached At-Large Councilmembers with recreational activity programs that extend beyond the boundaries of any individual Council District; and
WHEREAS, To assist At-Large Councilmembers to be responsive to the needs of their constituents, it is equitable to expand the recreation assistance program to include projects proposed by At-Large Councilmembers; and
WHEREAS, Youth programs City-wide will benefit from the expansion of the recreational assistance program; now therefore,
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. The Mayor and the President of City Council are hereby authorized to file with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania amended articles of incorporation for The Philadelphia Activities Fund, Inc. (“Activities Fund”), with a purpose of administering the Program as set forth in the amended Exhibit “A” and the guidelines promogulated thereunder.
SECTION 2. The Chief Clerk of City Council shall keep all Exhibit to this ordinance on file and make them available to the public for inspection and copying during regular office hours.
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Explanation:
Italics indicate new matter added.
AMENDED EXHIBIT
“A”
Recreation Assistance Program
1. Purpose of the Program: The Program is established to provide essential financial support for recreation activities and programs, particularly those which are youth oriented, and which are operated by not-for-profit entities in the City of Philadelphia. It is an overall goal of the Program to provide financial assistance to different types of organizations serving diverse segments of the Philadelphia Community.
2. Eligible Activities, Costs and Funding Limits:
(a) Eligible Activities: Eligible activities include program costs associated with the activities of not-for-profit entities providing recreation programs in the City. Those programs and activities shall include, but not be limited to, sports leagues, dance, and arts and crafts programs.
(b) Eligible recipients: Recipients must operate on a not for profit basis, but need not be incorporated or have been determined to be an eligible 501(c)(3). Funding shall not be made available to any entity which discriminates illegally in providing programs or services or which conducts its programs in facilities which do, nor shall funding be provided to any agency of the City, state or federal government.
(c) Eligible Expenditures: Capital costs and direct staff costs are not eligible expenses.
(d) Funding Limitations: Funding decisions shall be based on need and shall be provided for specific activities or purchases. Fund applicants shall be required to submit a written budget. No entity may receive more than $9,000 from the Recreation Fund in any fiscal year.
(e) Expansion of the Recreational Assistance Program: At-Large Councilmembers shall have the prerogative to bring recreational assistance activities and programs to the Board of Directors for consideration. All requirements articulated elsewhere in this Ordinance shall apply to such recreational assistance projects that may be brought forward by At-Large Councilmembers.
(f) Increase in Funding Limitations: Annual funding limitations to be received by a specific entity for recreational assistance activities and programs may be adjusted as necessary by the Board of Directors.
3. Fund Administration:
a. Fund Allocation: Funds shall be allocated equally throughout the City.
b. Board of Directors: Fund decisions shall be made by the Board of Directors of the Recreation Fund. The Board shall consist of seven members. One member shall be the Recreation Commissioner of his or her designee; one member shall be the chairperson of the Council Committee on Public Health, Human Services and Recreation; The Mayor shall appoint two members; and the President of City Council shall appoint two members. Those six members shall select the seventh Board member. Appoint Board members shall serve for two year terms, but may be reappointed for additional terms.
c. Funding Process and Decisions: The Board of Directors Shall:
i. Establish a schedule and detailed procedures for soliciting requests for funding from eligible entities through the City, and take steps necessary to assure that notice of its schedule and procedures are widely disseminated.
ii. Develop a grant application to be completed by all applicants which shall require, among other information, disclosure of the individuals responsible for operating the program, a description of the activities which the entity sponsors, and the number of individuals served by the program;
iii. Making funding decisions once a year. Funding decisions of the Board shall include consideration of the recommendations of all members of City Council;
iv. The Board shall provide an annual report of its activities, including a statement of its funding awards, the number of City residents served, and the types of services or programs provided.
v. Contracting and Reporting Requirements: Recreation Assistance Program shall be required to execute a contract with the Recreation Fund, which contract shall include, among other provisions, a requirement that the recipient account for the use of proceeds.
d. Expansion of the Recreational Assistance Program: All requirements for Fund Administration specified under this section shall apply equally to any and all projects bought to the Board of Directors for consideration by At-Large Councilmembers.
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