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currently provides for compensation of $129,343 for programming and administrative <br /> funding to underwrite staff salaries, collections management, public programs and <br /> supplies at the Museum on Main, Alviso Adobe, and public walking tours. <br /> DISCUSSION <br /> The executor of Ms. Jones' estate, Peter MacDonald, supports the use of estate <br /> proceeds to create the endowment with the ALVHS. The ALVHS is a recognized tax- <br /> exempt organization that operates the Museum on Main, a local history museum, and <br /> was specifically named in Ms. Jones' will as an organization that should be consulted. <br /> Mr. MacDonald also supports the ALVHS's Agreement regarding Historic Recognition <br /> Program with the Pleasanton Heritage Association. <br /> While the ALVHS is a tax-exempt organization that has been providing superior <br /> services to the City under contract since 2011, management of an endowment in <br /> excess of $1,000,000 requires financial expertise. The City's Finance Department staff <br /> regularly invests and manages tens of millions of dollars in the City's enterprise and <br /> other funds. While investments utilized by the City typically provide relatively low yields, <br /> the principal invested is exceptionally safe from market turbulence. In addition, <br /> transaction costs are limited to wire fees charged by the City's bank. Finally, an <br /> endowment should be in perpetuity. While it is highly likely the City will be in existence <br /> for many generations, it is possible ALVHS, a non-profit organization, will dissolve <br /> sooner as many non-profit organizations often do. <br /> The ALVHS's endowment resolution references management by "the Endowment <br /> Committee of the Board of Directors". (See Section 1.02.) While the committee may be <br /> able to achieve higher returns by using other investment options, higher returns will also <br /> pose greater risk for the principal, as well as potentially higher fees and costs. <br /> As Ms. Jones' gift to the City is a unique and generous action, staff recommends that <br /> the estate proceeds be held and managed by the City, with annual distributions to the <br /> ALVHS based on fund earnings and requests tied to specific programs — including the <br /> ALVHS' Agreement regarding Historic Recognition Program with the PHA, and as <br /> approved by the Council in future budget cycles. <br /> Alternative Recommendation: <br /> 1. Enable funds to be privately and independently managed by ALVHS, consistent <br /> with the attached endowment resolution. <br /> Submitted by: Fiscal Review: Appro id by: <br /> c -et-(A414A //IA <br /> Larissa Seto Tina Olson Nelson Fialho <br /> Assistant City Attorney Director of Finance City Manager <br /> Page 3 of 4 <br />