Each year since 1949, The National Civic League has recognized 10 cities across the United States with the All-America City Award. The City of Saginaw has been named as a Finalist and invited to participate as one of twenty communities that are exhibiting the best in local innovation, civic engagement, and cross-sector collaboration.

The 2023 All-America City Awards Event will be held in Denver, Colorado, June 9-11, and will be in-person for the first time since 2019. This year’s theme is “Creating Thriving Communities through Youth Engagement”.  The League seeks to identify communities that are breaking down barriers to meaningful youth participation and enacting programs that actively engage youth with community residents, government leaders, businesses, and non-profits.

Saginaw submitted an application highlighting the Mayor’s Youth Council, the Saginaw Apprentice Program, and the Fire and Police Youth Academy programs. To proceed in the process, a Saginaw team must present the story of their work before a “jury” of nationally recognized civic leaders and answer questions over the programs, its positive results, and impacts on the community and our youth. Attached is a “Finalist Packet” detailing the intensive four-day agenda including rehearsal times, an all-day booth exhibit, the presentation schedule, and many other activities involving the team.

This item is not only to inform the Council of the prestigious honor of being named a finalist, but to seek approval for the expenditure for the team to attend the NCL conference and continue in the process. Costs would include; air and ground transportation, hotel accommodations, per diem for meal and incidentals, and presentation materials. Since this is an unbudgeted one-time expenditure, costs may be drawn from the City Fund Balance.

Attached is an estimate for team members to attend. 

Based on the attached budget estimates including airfare, ground transportation, hotel rental, and meal per diem, the base cost per person is approximately $2000. (See attached exhibit) 

Presentation items, props and exhibits for presentation, estimated cost: $500

If approved, this would be a "one-time" expenditure drawn from the City Fund Balance.