Title
CITY’S FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR PATHWAYS 2020
COUNCIL STRATEGIC INITIATIVE ADDRESSED:
Strengthen economic conditions and create new opportunities
CITY ATTORNEY REVIEW: N/A
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
Pathways 2020 is a non-profit organization “dedicated to improving the quality of life in Cowlitz County through collaborative partnerships, resource mobilization, strategic planning and program development. Its mission is to promote and improve the health and well being of Cowlitz County by fostering community partnerships that provide the fabric and support each person needs to be a healthy and contributing member of the community.” Please refer to the Pathways 2020 website at www.pathways2020.org <http://www.pathways2020.org> for detailed information about the organization’s services, activities, and work products.
The organization operates under the administrative umbrella of the CEDC, but has its own separate board of directors. (Full disclosure: I was a member of the Pathways 2020 board for about two years between the spring of 2015 and the spring of 2017.) Pathways 2020’s board is planning to focus their work during the coming year on the topics of economic vitality and education. Attached are notes about their strategies and planned activities for the economic vitality initiative; preparation of the education component is not yet complete.
Since entering into an MOU in 2008, the City has supported Pathways 2020’s biennial Community Report Card through a contract approved by the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments for that particular project; the CWCOG’s member fee formula is the mechanism by which CRC financial participation amounts are determined for the City and a dozen other CWCOG members.
The biennial nature of the CRC means that 2018 will be a “research year” for that publication. Issues to be addressed and data to be gathered for it are decided and the necessary research takes place one year, then publication and dissemination occur the next. Funding for the project varies each year based on figures submitted to the CWCOG by Pathways 2020. The City’s allocated financial support for the CRC was about $8,000 this year (a production year), it would be nothing in 2018 (the research year), and it might be expected to return to $8,000 in 2019 (another production year).
Last month the CWCOG conducted a survey of its contributing members about the CRC. I solicited input from the city council and department heads in order to respond to that survey and heard there was little perceived value in the CRC as it pertains to the work of the City. It may have broader community value, but it hasn’t recently consciously impacted the development of our work plan or the programs and services we provide.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Motion to direct the city manager to give the CWCOG notice that the City is terminating its financial support of Pathways 2020.
STAFF CONTACT: Dave Campbell, City Manager