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HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-11 Staff Report Support Letter to Solis Inspired CitizenshipCONSENT ITEM E-11 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL VIA: TROY L. BUTZLAFF, ICMA-CM, CITY MANAGER FROM: ANN GRAF, DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND LIBRARY SERVICES DATE: MARCH 6, 2017 SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION TO SEND CORRESPONDENCE TO COUNTY SUPERVISOR HILDA SOLIS REGARDING THE AZUSA CITY LIBRARY INSPIRED CITIZENSHIP PROGRAM AND REQUESTING FINANCIAL SUPPORT SUMMARY: In October of 2014, the Azusa City Library launched a grant funded program called Inspired Citizenship. This program offers free Citizenship classes, coaching, and information sessions for adults seeking to acquire U.S. Citizenship. Staff would like to reach out to the County Supervisor Hilda Solis to request financial assistance from the County to ensure the program is fiscally sustainable. This action authorizes the distribution of the attached letter (Attachment 1) to Supervisor Solis conveying the City’s support of the Inspired Citizenship program and requesting her assistance in securing funding from the County. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council take the following action: 1) Authorize the distribution of a letter to Supervisor Hilda L. Solis regarding the Inspired Citizenship program. DISCUSSION: Inspired Citizenship is one of the City most popular programs in the Library and compliments the robust offerings of ESL and other Literacy programs. Since its inception, over 400 individuals have attended forums to learn about the naturalization process, 275 adults have attended classes to prepare for their citizenship interview and 130 have passed and become new citizens. Inspired Citizenship is primarily a grant funded program. City Staff is continuously looking for ways to keep the program fiscally sustainable and would like to send a letter to County Supervisor Hilda Solis to request her assistance in securing funding from the County to continue this program. Supervisor Solis is a strong support of literacy programs and helping people become new citizens. APPROVED COUNCIL MEETING 3/6/2017 Letter to Honorable Hilda Solis Regarding Inspired Citizenship March 6, 2017 Page 2 FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action. Prepared by: Fiscal Impact Reviewed by: Ann Graf Talika M. Johnson Director of Information Technology Director of Finance and Library Services Reviewed and Approved: Reviewed and Approved: Louie F. Lacasella Troy L. Butzlaff, ICMA-CM Management Analyst City Manager Attachments: 1) Letter to Honorable Hilda Solis regarding Inspired Citizenship Program