Minutes 1992 0420 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Minutes - San Leandro City Council Meeting - April 20, 1992 Page - 13 - NEW BUSINESS (continued) E. Matter of City Participation in United Way. Council Member Glaze noted the United Way's efforts to be a social conscience for the community instead of a distributor of donated funds. He said they are trying to tell member organizations how to operate, which violates the original spirit of United Way. He made a motion to direct the City Manager to no longer participate in United Way by providing staff to circulate pamphlets. He said employees could still voluntarily contribute, but the City would no longer solicit funds for United Way. He asked the City Manager to develop a program with alternatives to United Way so that City employees could donate directly to local agencies, such as the Girls' and Boys' Club, Girls Inc. , Family Services, etc. Council Member Faria seconded the motion. Council Member Santos noted that for a number of years he has participated in United Way. He said the funding goes to worthwhile causes and it is voluntary on the part of employees. He said the United Way funds many programs such as counseling, food distribution, etc. He said he hoped the City Council would not take action on this matter. He said he did not feel the matter was listed on the Agenda in the proper way and should be discussed at Work Session. He said this was unfair to United Way and they had no representatives in the audience to speak on their behalf. In response to questions from the City Council , Dennis Smith, Recreation-Human Resources Director, said the City also distributes cards, etc. , for the Combined Health Agencies and the Environmental Foundation of California. He said United Way is the City's oldest fund-raising activity. He said the City raises about $5,000 for United Way, $3,000 for CHAD, and less than $1 ,000 for the Environmental Foundation of California. Council Member Perry asked for a report on the feasibility of payroll deductions directly to San Leandro organizations. Council Member Santos said he feels Del Williams, from United Way, should address the City Council at a Work Session on this matter. Steve Meyers, City Attorney, said, based upon the wording on the Agenda, the City Council could only adopt the part of the motion related to United Way and not take any action related to local agencies.