HomeMy WebLinkAbout310-21 RESOLUTION113 West Mountain Street
Fayetteville. AR 72701
(479) 575-8323
Resolution: 310-21
File Number: 2021-1068
CLIMATE REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT SERVICES:
A RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT DICK BENNETT'S GENEROUS $100,000.00 GIFT AND TO
ESTABLISH A TRUST FUND THAT WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE AS A PASS -THROUGH
TO OTHER AGENCIES WHO MAY PROVIDE CLIMATE REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT
SERVICES
WHEREAS. the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and many other
scientific institutions around the world report that there is growing evidence that various climatic and
extreme weather events are creating an increasing number of "climate refugees" being forced to leave
their homes; and
WHEREAS, uninhabitable heat, droughts, soil erosion, wildfires, and weakening monsoons
compounded with a melting cryosphere, sea level rise, and flooding intensify these climate impacts on
persons living in various parts of the world: and
WHEREAS, long-term Fayetteville resident and a founder of the local nonprofit OMNI Center for
Peace, Justice and Ecology. Dr. Dick Bennett, approached the Mayor's office with a proposal for his
personal gift to establish an endowment in the amount of $100,000.00 to address a long-term potential
rise in migration and need for refugee resettlement services due to climate change and war: and
WHEREAS, after consulting with the Chief of Staff, Chief Financial Officer, and City Attorney,
Mayor Jordan is recommending that the City of Fayetteville establish a trust fund to accept this
generous gift.; and
WHEREAS, the City of Fayetteville, as a caring and welcoming community, already participates with
refugee resettlement services via Canopy N WA and other faith -based initiatives, and so it is fitting for
Page 1 Printed on 12/22/21
Resolution: 310-21
File Number: 2021-1068
Fayetteville to continue to create more ways to welcome and assist refugees to Northwest Arkansas
and Fayetteville while we continue our focus on our goals for net zero emissions and better climate
resilience.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS:
Section l : That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby accepts and expresses its
thanks and gratitude to Dr. Dick Bennett for his generous $100,000.00 gift and establishes a trust fund
that will be made available as a pass -through to other agencies who to provide climate refugee
resettlement services.
PASSED and APPROVED on 12/21/2021
Attest:
G�ER K
ITY
�• � ••G
•�%
Kara Paxton, City Clerk Treasurer
�(P•p�,
Page 2 Printed on 12(22(21
City of Fayetteville, Arkansas 113 West Mountain Street
Fayetteville, AR 72701
(479)575-8323
Text File
File Number: 2021-1068
Agenda Date: 12/21/2021 Version: 1 Status: Passed
In Control: City Council Meetinq File Type: Resolution
Agenda Number: 1.
CLIMATE REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT SERVICES:
A RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT DICK BENNETT'S GENEROUS $100,000.00 GIFT AND TO
ESTABLISH A TRUST FUND THAT WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE AS A PASS -THROUGH TO
OTHER AGENCIES WHO MAY PROVIDE CLIMATE REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT SERVICES
WHEREAS, the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and many other scientific
institutions around the world report that there is growing evidence that various climatic and extreme weather
events are creating an increasing number of "climate refugees" being forced to leave their homes; and
WHEREAS, uninhabitable heat, droughts, soil erosion, wildfires, and weakening monsoons compounded with
a melting cryosphere, sea level rise, and flooding intensify these climate impacts on persons living in various
parts of the world; and
WHEREAS, long-term Fayetteville resident and a founder of the local nonprofit OMNI Center for Peace,
Justice and Ecology, Dr. Dick Bennett, approached the Mayor's office with a proposal for his personal gift to
establish an endowment in the amount of $100,000.00 to address a long-term potential rise in migration and
need for refugee resettlement services due to climate change and war; and
WHEREAS, after consulting with the Chief of Staff, Chief Financial Officer, and City Attorney, Mayor Jordan
is recommending that the City of Fayetteville establish a trust fund to accept this generous gift.; and
WHEREAS, the City of Fayetteville, as a caring and welcoming community, already participates with refugee
resettlement services via Canopy NWA and other faith -based initiatives, and so it is fitting for Fayetteville to
continue to create more ways to welcome and assist refugees to Northwest Arkansas and Fayetteville while we
continue our focus on our goals for net zero emissions and better climate resilience.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS:
Section 1: That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby accepts and expresses its thanks
and gratitude to Dr. Dick Bennett for his generous $100,000.00 gift and establishes a trust fund that will be
made available as a pass -through to other agencies who to provide climate refugee resettlement services.
City of Fayetteville, Arkansas Page 1 Printed on 1212212021
File Number: 2021-1068
City of Fayetteville, Arkansas Page 2 Printed on 1212212021
City Council Walk On 12/21/21
Susan Norton
Submitted By
City of Fayetteville Staff Review Form
2021-1068
Legistar File ID
12/21/2021
City Council Meeting Date - Agenda Item Only
N/A for Non -Agenda Item
12/17/2021 CHIEF OF STAFF (070)
Submitted Date Division / Department
Action Recommendation:
Staff is recommending that the Mayor and City Council pass a resolution to establish a trust fund that could be
made available as a pass -through to other agencies who may provide climate refugee resettlement services.
Budget Impact:
Account Number Fund
Project Number Project Title
Budgeted Item? No Current Budget $ -
Funds Obligated $ -
Current Balance $
Does item have a cost? No Item Cost $ -
Budget Adjustment Attached? No Budget Adjustment $ -
Remaining Budget
V20210527
Purchase Order Number: Previous Ordinance or Resolution #
Change Order Number: Approval Date:
Original Contract Number:
Comments:
—� CITY OF
FAYETTEVILLE
ARKANSAS
MEETING OF DECEMBER 21, 2021
TO: City Council
THRU: Mayor Lioneld Jordan
FROM: Susan Norton, Chief of Staff
DATE: 12/17/21
SUBJECT: Resolution to Establish Trust Fund
CITY COUNCIL MEMO
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff is recommending that the Mayor and City Council pass a resolution to establish a trust
fund that could be made available as a pass -through to other agencies who may provide climate
refugee resettlement services.
BACKGROUND:
Long-term resident, Dr. Dick Bennett, approached the Mayor's office with a proposal for a gift to
establish an endowment in the amount of $100,000.00 to address a long-term potential rise in
migration and refugee resettlement services due to climate change and war. After speaking
with the Chief Financial Officer, and City Attorney, the Mayor is recommending the City of
Fayetteville establish a trust fund to accept the gift.
DISCUSSION:
As reported by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and many other
scientific institutions around the world, there is growing evidence that various climatic and
extreme weather events are creating an increasing number of "climate refugees" being forced to
leave their homes. Uninhabitable heat, droughts, soil erosion, wildfires, and weakening
monsoons compounded with a melting cryosphere, sea level rise, and flooding intensify these
climate impacts in various parts of the world.
The City of Fayetteville, as a caring and welcoming community, already participates with
refugee resettlement services via Canopy NWA and other faith -based initiatives. It is fitting for
Fayetteville to continue to look to the future and prepare to create more new ways to welcome
more people to Northwest Arkansas and Fayetteville at the same time as we focus on our goals
for net zero emissions and climate resilience.
BUDGET/STAFF IMPACT:
N/A
Attachments:
Resolution to establish trust fund
Mailing Address:
113 W. Mountain Street www.fayetteville-ar.gov
Fayetteville, AR 72701