Chapter 3.50
ACCEPTANCE OF DONATIONS TO THE CITY

Sections:

3.50.010    Purpose.

3.50.020    Definitions.

3.50.030    Administration.

3.50.040    Accounting.

3.50.050    Accounts established.

3.50.060    Acceptance of donations in general.

3.50.070    Acceptance of monetary donations.

3.50.080    Acceptance of nonmonetary donations.

3.50.010 Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to authorize the acceptance of donations for any public purpose, pursuant to RCW 35.21.100, and to specify policies and procedures for doing so. (Ord. 1633 § 1, 2019).

3.50.020 Definitions.

“City manager” means the city manager of the city of Fircrest or his or her designee.

“Donation” is defined as any monetary or nonmonetary gift, grant, devise or bequest to the city of Fircrest. A monetary donation includes cash or a check, money order or other negotiable instrument. A nonmonetary donation includes real or personal property. In the event of a stock donation, since a government entity is not legally able to own stock, such a donation would be liquidated and turned into cash or another liquid asset, and treated as a monetary donation prior to acceptance by the city. (Ord. 1633 § 1, 2019).

3.50.030 Administration.

The city manager shall have the responsibility for the administration of all donations to the city and may issue procedures to implement this chapter. (Ord. 1633 § 1, 2019).

3.50.040 Accounting.

The city of Fircrest finance department is responsible for providing for the deposit and financial administration of any donation to the city. If necessary, the finance department shall track the proposed use of any such donation and shall maintain separate records of accounts showing receipts and disbursements. The finance director may establish further rules and regulations for the accounting and administration of donations, consistent with this chapter, as deemed necessary by the director. (Ord. 1633 § 1, 2019).

3.50.050 Accounts established.

There are hereby established special accounts, to be designated “contributions and donations from nongovernmental sources.” The purpose of these accounts is to provide for the deposit of monetary donations and for accounting for nonmonetary donations to the city. (Ord. 1633 § 1, 2019).

3.50.060 Acceptance of donations in general.

The city has the discretion to accept or decline any proposed donation, whether conditioned or not, subject to the provisions of this chapter. In the event the city manager has reason to believe a donation could cause or result in an appearance of impropriety, the city manager shall consult with the city attorney prior to accepting the donation. Conditioned donations shall be assigned to a project or existing fund consistent with the donor’s desired use, as long as such condition(s) do not conflict with city, state or federal law, in which case the city shall ask that the condition(s) be removed or decline the donation. (Ord. 1633 § 1, 2019).

3.50.070 Acceptance of monetary donations.

A. The city manager is hereby authorized to approve on behalf of the city all monetary donations to the city of Fircrest. All monetary donations approved by the city shall be deposited into the appropriate account as established in this chapter. In the event that a monetary donation is conditioned or donated for a special purpose, prior to acceptance the city manager should consider the long-term impacts of the donation, particularly where there could be significant future or ongoing operations and maintenance or capital costs associated with the donation. In addition, if a donation could have long-term impacts, such as significant operations and maintenance or capital costs, the city manager shall consult with the city council prior to accepting the donation.

B. The city manager, at his/her discretion, is authorized to refuse any monetary donation.

C. If a donor has not specified a particular desired use, the donation may be used for any municipal purpose.

D. Council Notification. Staff should notify council of all accepted donations over $5,000 so that the donor’s generosity can be officially acknowledged by council. (Ord. 1633 § 1, 2019).

3.50.080 Acceptance of nonmonetary donations.

A. All donations of personal property may be accepted by the city manager, after assessment of required future maintenance or repair. In addition, if a donation could have long-term impacts, such as significant operations and maintenance or capital costs, the city manager shall consult with the city council prior to accepting the donation.

B. Donations of Real Property. All donations of real property, whether conditioned or unconditioned, must first be approved by the city council by resolution. (Ord. 1633 § 1, 2019).