ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager with a Request to Approve a GRANT AGREEMENT with THE BLOOMBERG FAMILY FOUNDATION, INC. Regarding the Creation of an INNOVATION TEAM and to Authorize the City Manager to Execute the Necessary Documents.
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BACKGROUND:
In October 2014, the City of Peoria applied to Bloomberg Philanthropies' "Innovation Delivery Grant" opportunity. In early December, the City was notified that it was one of twelve U.S. cities selected. The grant will pay for the creation of an "i-team" who will be charged with working with City administration, elected leaders and community stakeholders to create innovative strategies and solutions to Peoria's most pressing and complex issues.
As part of the application process, Peoria had to identify an initial problem which the team would address. The City's application focused on opportunities to utilize innovative solutions to address the Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs). The CSO issue is the largest and most costly issue facing Peoria. Moreover, its complexity and breadth impact many of the other difficult issues facing Peoria. While the project is centered on water quality, the real problem is an aging infrastructure that serves as the foundation for the most challenging parts of Peoria. The combined sewer area is also the oldest section of the community and the section that struggles with crime, poverty and disinvestment. The Innovation Delivery approach can use the CSO issue as a platform for addressing other critical issues. An Innovation Team, driven by data and community engagement, can develop successful strategies that address multiple problems. Preventing overflows will cost tens of millions of dollars. That level of spending should improve more than just water quality. The i-team will be charged with working with other professionals and stakeholders to leverage funds dedicated to the CSO problem in a manner that best benefits the community. CSO is...
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