HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 10027 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 10027
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 20, 2017
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*a SUBJECT: MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH BOTANICAL
rrn RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF TEXAS FOR EDUCATION AND VOLUNTEER
PROGRAMS
The purpose of this Informal Report is to provide information regarding a memorandum of
understanding between the City of Fort Worth and the Botanical Research Institute of Texas
(BRIT) for educational and volunteer programs at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. See Phase IB
#4 below.
BACKGROUND:
On November 15, 2016, the Fort Worth City Council authorized the acceptance of the Fort Worth
Botanic Garden Strategic Plan from EMD Consulting Group, LLC and referred it to the City
Manager and staff for further review and evaluation to develop strategies and polices for the
implementation of the strategic plan (M&C G-18885).
Implementation of key recommendations were divided into three phases. See below.
PHASE IA: Earned revenues, staff and operational expenses — COMPLETE
On March 28, 2017, the Fort Worth City Council authorized three M&Cs related to the Strategic
Plan:
1 . Strategic Plan Implementation approvals: authorize special revenue fund for all operating
revenues & expenses; assignment of Fort Worth Botanical Society (FWBS) employees to
city positions (10.0 A.P.); and establish new city positions (3.5 A.P.) (M&C G-18978)
2. FWBG Contracts: authorize amended and restated contracts with FWBS and Fort Worth
Garden Club (M&C C-28165)
3. Purchase Agreements for Treasure Tree Gift Shop: accept current inventory from FWBS,
approve annual budget for gift shop merchandise; and authorize vendor contracts (M&C P-
12018)
PHASE IB: Retained revenues, input on visitor assessment and facility conditions — IN
PROGRESS
1. Review existing funds to be transferred to special revenue fund
2. Identify needed capital infrastructure costs (M&C C-28127 — assessment of facility
conditions)
3. Assemble more visitor information (intercept survey funded by FWBS and FWGC)
4. Program partnership with BRIT (education and volunteer programs)
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 10027
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 20, 2017
r� Page 2 of 3
�i
{i7 Y
*a SUBJECT: MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH BOTANICAL
rrn RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF TEXAS FOR EDUCATION AND VOLUNTEER
PROGRAMS
PHASE II: Non-profit entity establishment and/or partnership — LAUNCH October 2017
1 . Explore the establishment of, or partnership with, a non-profit entity whose primary focus
will be fund raising and membership
2. Existing funds identified in IB #1. will be allocated to non-profit entity
NEXT STEP: Phase IB #4 Program Partnership for education and volunteer programs
With Phase IA completed, IB in progress, staff has met with BRIT regarding the program
partnership for education and volunteer programs. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) is
being drafted and will be executed administratively to formalize an agreement between BRIT and
FWBG with the expected outcome that more visitors to both campuses have access to the rich
botanical resources consisting of the living collection (e.g., formal gardens) and the scientific
collection (e.g., herbarium and science libraries) that will provide unique learning experiences that
both BRIT and the Botanic Garden can only provide if working together.
Key terms of the MOU:
1. External evaluation of both the education and volunteer programs and needs of both
organization;
2. Strategic and operational plan will be developed including oversight of program operations,
implementation, and quality control;
3. A co-brand will be developed for education and volunteers with marketing to promote
brand awareness and to disseminate promotional materials and communication;
4. BRIT will have the responsibility to administer the education and volunteer programs
including staffing;
5. As part of the FY2018 budget process, the City of Fort Worth will transfer existing funding
($191,000.00) in the Botanic Garden special revenue fund to BRIT in support of this
partnership; and
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 10027
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 20, 2017
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*a SUBJECT: MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH BOTANICAL
rrn RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF TEXAS FOR EDUCATION AND VOLUNTEER
PROGRAMS
6. As part of the FY2018 budget process, effective October 1, 2017, the three filled
authorized positions assigned to the education program at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden
will be eliminated. City staff will work diligently to place the current staff members in
positions with the City or request BRIT to offer those incumbents similar positions.
Should you have any questions regarding this information, please contact Richard Zavala,
Director, Park & Recreation Department, at 817.392.5704 or Susan Alanis, Assistant City
Manager, at 817.392.6183.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS