Title
Resolution to Approve an Application to the Bloomberg Philanthropies 2017 Mayor Challenge
Memorandum
The attached resolution authorizes the City of Ann Arbor to submit an application to the Bloomberg Philanthropies 2017 Mayor Challenge.
U.S. mayors face bigger challenges than ever before. Innovation is no longer optional; it is necessary so cities can continue to deliver results and improve the quality of life for its residents. The 2017 Mayors Challenge, sponsored by Bloomberg Philanthropies, is designed with this urgency in mind. It is an initiative to help city leaders think big, be bold, and uncover inventive - and, ultimately, shareable - ideas that tackle today’s toughest problems.
The Mayors Challenge encourages city leaders to think big, be bold, and uncover new or unexpected - and ultimately, shareable - ideas that tackle today’s most urgent problems. Successful ideas might, among other things, reimagine or drastically improve how cities deliver services, create efficiencies, or improve citizen engagement.
If successful with this application, the City would be one of 35 cities that receive $100,000 to further refine the idea for a later proposal. Ultimately, four cities will receive $1,000,000 and one city will receive $5,000,000 to advance their efforts. No matching funds are required under any award. There do not appear to be restrictions on how the funds can be used.
The City Administrator has chosen to focus on Affordability in Ann Arbor as the core theme of the City proposal.
This pre-proposal would not obligate the City of Ann Arbor to expend any funds or enter into any agreements.
Staff
Prepared by: Matthew Naud, Environmental Coordinator
Reviewed by: Craig Hupy, Public Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Howard S. Lazarus, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, Bloomberg Philanthropies is sponsoring the 2017 Mayor Challenge to assist cities with developing ideas to solve urgent city problems;
Whereas, Affordability in Ann Arbor has been chosen by the City Administrator as the area of focus for the application;
Whereas, A successful grant application will result in a grant of $100,000 to 35 cities to further refine their proposed solution;
Whereas, A revised application process will result in 4 cities receiving $1,000,000 and one city receiving $5,000,000 to solve their identified problem.
Whereas, No matching funds are required from the City;
Resolved, That City Council approves submitting the application to the Bloomberg Philanthropies 2017 Mayor Challenge;
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take all necessary actions to implement this resolution