The National Civic League (N.C.L.) in 2009 is celebrating the 60^th anniversary of its All-America City Awards. Phoenix has won the national recognition four times – in 1989, 1979-‘80, 1958 and 1950. The awards focus on inclusiveness, collaboration, innovation and measurable impact. The application asks for descriptions of recent achievements addressing important local needs. Two project synopses are to address top community challenges, and a third focuses on a project benefiting youth.

Based on the applications, N.C.L.’s All-America City Screening Committee will choose ten finalists to attend the conference, June 17-19 in Tampa, FL. Privately raised funding will pay for all direct costs involving the application process and, if the City is selected as a finalist, costs of attending the conference.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff requests City Council authorization for staff to work on the 2009 All-America City Award application.

CITY COUNCIL REPORT
CONSENT AGENDA
TO:	Frank Fairbanks City Manager	AGENDA DATE:		December 16, 2008
FROM:	Lisa Takata Executive Assistant To The City Manager	ITEM:	2
SUBJECT:	2009 CAMPAIGN INFORMATION POLICY

This report requests City Council approval of a proposed Campaign Information Policy for responding to candidates’ information requests during election campaigns.

Since 1995, the City Council has adopted a Campaign Information Policy prior to City Council elections. This policy assures that candidates for office have fair access to City information. While City staff has had a longstanding practice of providing all available information to declared candidates, guidelines are needed to avoid excessive expenditure of staff time and resources. Generally, City staff does not conduct original research for candidates; however staff will provide candidates with copies of existing reports and information under this policy. Guidelines for candidate air time on Phoenix Channel 11 or know99 are provided, and a 60-day moratorium is defined for the issuance of City-funded newsletters, brochures and/or printed, electronic or web-based information updates.

RECOMMENDATION

City Council approval is requested for the attached Campaign Information Policy which will take effect starting with the City’s 2009 election cycle.

2009 CAMPAIGN INFORMATION POLICY

This Campaign Information Policy provides guidelines for responding to information and research requests by incumbent and non-incumbent candidates during election campaigns.

· In order to be placed on the candidates’ information mailing list, persons intending to run for elective City office are requested to file a completed form with the City Clerk stating that they intend to be a candidate.

· All candidates will be given access to information which is immediately available to staff without research, or which may be photocopied. A photocopy charge of 19 cents per page will be assessed. This is the standard charge for copies of public records.

· Information or research requested by the Mayor and City Council to fulfill their duties and responsibilities, which can be prepared with less than eight hours of staff time, will be routinely performed and distributed to the Mayor and City Council during the campaign period. Copies of this information will be made available to other candidates upon request.

· Research requests made by non-incumbents will be performed only upon City Council approval. Research requests made by incumbents that require more than eight hours of preparation only will be performed upon City Council approval. Once prepared, this information also will be distributed to the Mayor and City Council. Other candidates may obtain this information upon request.

· Requests for information or research must be made by the individual candidate and not by campaign personnel. If campaign staff asks for information other than what is normally available to citizens, City staff will courteously indicate that the candidate must personally make special information requests.

· 60 days prior to the Council Election, all legally declared incumbent and non-incumbent candidates for any elected office will not receive air time on Phoenix Channel 11 or know99 in any programming other than regularly scheduled coverage of City Council meetings and other official City events. This restriction shall remain in effect until after the applicable September or November election.

· 60 days prior to the Council election, all legally declared incumbent candidates for municipal office will not issue City funded newsletters, brochures and/or printed, electronic or web-based information updates. This restriction shall remain in effect until after the applicable September or November election.

For further information, please contact Lisa Takata, Executive Assistant to the City Manager, at (602) 261-8876.

Campaign info policy.doc Rev. 12/9/08

CITY COUNCIL REPORT
CONSENT AGENDA
TO:	Rick Naimark Deputy City Manager	AGENDA DATE:		December 16, 2008
FROM:	Deborah Sedillo Dugan Acting Public Information Director	ITEM:	1
SUBJECT:	ALL-AMERICA CITY AWARD APPLICATION

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