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CONSIDERATION OF THE ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS IN THE AMOUNTS OF $250 FROM SOONER VETERINARY HOSPITAL; $250 FROM DENISE SWAROWSKY; $300 FROM BELINDA SNEED; $325 FROM DANIELLE BROWN; $500 FROM LYNN ROSE; $500 FROM BARRETT WILLIAMSON ARCHITECTS, INC.; AND $5,000 FROM AN ANONYMOUS DONOR TO BE USED BY THE CITY OF NORMAN ANIMAL WELFARE CENTER.
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BACKGROUND: The following five individuals and two businesses presented the City of Norman Animal Welfare Center with donations totaling $7,125. In accordance with the City Code, Section 8-111, any donation in excess of $250 must be accepted by the City Council. The items are being brought forward for that purpose.
Sooner Veterinarian Hospital - $250
Denise Swarowsky - $250
Belinda Sneed - $300
Danielle Brown - $325
Lynn Rose - $500
Barrett Williamson Architects, Inc. - $500
Anonymous - $5,000
TOTAL AMOUNT OF DONATION $7,125
DISCUSSION: These are private donations for the memorial of Sara Maisano. Ms. Maisano was a past volunteer at the Norman Animal Welfare Center prior to her demise. Her father, Deputy Police Chief Jim Maisano, has spoken regarding Sara’s love for animals and his interest in seeing that enough funds are generated, either by him personally, and/or others collectively to fund the reinstatement of the cat porch that was designed into the Norman Animal Welfare Center renovation project. The transmittal information with the donations does specify use for the Cat Porch. Since the Norman Animal Welfare Center is currently in the process of remodeling, these funds could be combined with other donations. This would assist during the remodel by having additional funds available if needed during this project.
Although the City would not be required to use these funds in that manner, if enough funds are collected for that purpose, Staff intends to bring an item back to Council for consideration of reinstating the Cat Porch into the Animal Shelter renovation project, so Council can make that decision at the appropriate time.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that donations totaling $7,125 be accepted and deposited into Animal Control Liability (account 010-0000-227-24-31). The funds could then be used as needed during the remodeling of the Norman Animal Welfare Center. The funds have been deposited into this account pending Council’s approval.