HomeMy WebLinkAbout[04b] St. Ben's Letter ST.JOSEPH
Fire Board Agenda Item 4-B
FIRE DEFT.
MEETING DATE: November 2nd, 2016
AGENDA ITEM: St. Ben's Letter
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: At our last meeting in August,we discussed the donation from the
college and the Fire Chief gave a copy of a letter to the city that was signed saying they will donate
$15,000 to the fire department each year. The city was going to check on this.
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT: No
ATTACHMENTS: 2001 Letter from CSB &Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict
2015 Letter form CSB &Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict
REQUESTED ACTION: Discuss with the board what can be done about the donation that was received
from the college.
° 0
L c 3 C
O'OU p O N
N
c ocv �
COD ` O
0
O co N
C O LL. U = C q
V Ov O0 N E
Lm n
N N
O
C C w m , O
p .
c m o °� F-
cn
c Z MU o cvA
n
L-1- , o o rCO
C,)
a) cn 0
t � f ..
L J C N
N
6 LL
LD �O O C J o .
ccs C: 7rD
> cn 0 hILIa
if- m U N M
CL c: Z -a
M m c Q o ca m Q T.
O -C co N O O ~ /} C C
o c a• 4- O O . ( ' a
_ N Z '� _ - —
N E O O r- . >. m WO L U
C:Z3 N
O N >' > O N
CY)
010
amio' O � -C
UL 1— N Q O. v� V3 U to U
k ..,. c
COLLEGE OF Sisters of tke
Saint Benedict Order of Saint Benedict
March 16, 2015
Mayor Rick Schultz
25 College Avenue North
PO Box 668
St. Joseph,MN 56374
Dear Mayor Schultz,
As you know,the College of Saint Benedict and the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict have
for many years made a voluntary financial contribution to the City of St. Joseph in recognition of
the deep value we place on our relationship. Our history and the history of the city are
intertwined, as are our futures. Today,the college is pleased to present the city with a voluntary
donation of$20,000. The monastery is pleased to present the city with a voluntary donation of
$10,000.
While IRS regulations prohibit the college and monastery from certain kinds of taxation,the
College of Saint Benedict and the Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict contribute in myriad
ways to the city's vitality and economic base. We provide access to cultural, spiritual, and
educational resources and opportunities typically not available in communities of this size. In
addition, we contribute to community by employing a highly educated and skilled workforce,
many of whom live in the city. The College of Saint Benedict employs nearly 500 people who
spend time in St. Joseph each day, and our students, faculty, and staff also make significant
contributions to the local economy. The 2010 economic impact study indicated that a total of
1,227 jobs would be lost if CSB/SJU were not present in the community. Both the college and
monastery bring significant numbers of visitors to the community as well. Last year, nearly
57,000 visitors attended various performances at the Benedicta Arts Center alone.
Our Benedictine sisters, students, faculty, and staff also devote countless volunteer hours within
Central Minnesota. Last year, at least 2,170 students volunteered at 213 community sites, for an
estimated financial impact of$1.15 million. In addition, 210 faculty were involved in organizing
service within the community. The College of Saint Benedict has regularly participated in local
campaigns like United Way, and last year's contributions totaled over$19,000. Through the
Community Kitchen program, we support the Joe Town Table initiative and the Summer Lunch
and Learn Program.
i
Further,we pay our share of local facilities charges and special fees. In the last two years,the
college has paid the city over$361,000 for sewer and water service, street lights, engineering
fees, gambling permits, liquor licenses, event patrol officers, and other items. In the last decade,
the college has paid an additional $337,000 in special assessments. And,the college is not
exempt from all taxes; in the last decade we have paid nearly$557,000 in property taxes to
Stearns County.
In addition to these contributions,we regularly contribute voluntary donations for the good of the
city. Over the last decade,the college and the monastery together have contributed $180,000 to
the City of St. Joseph. Our voluntary contributions are reviewed on an annual basis to ensure that
the timing and amount of the donation is sustainable. We encourage the city not to budget on
these donations, as our voluntary contributions are entirely based on the college's and
monastery's budgets and will vary in timing and amount.
We look forward to working together for our continuing mutual success.
Sincerely,
eient
on Sister Michaela Hedican
PrPrioress
College of Saint Benedict Sisters of the Order of Saint Benedict
Cc: City Councilors: Matt Killam, Bob Loso, Renee Symanietz, and Dale Wick
City Administrator: Judy Weyrens