Title
Consider accepting a donation from the Friends of the Farmers Branch Historical Park for funding the repair and installation of the original church bell into the Old Church at the Farmers Branch Historical Park and take appropriate action.
Body
BACKGROUND:
When the Old Church was moved into the Historical Park in 1985, it was lacking its original church bell. Since that time, a railroad bell has done good service in its place. The Historical Park has acquired the original bell through a donation and City Administration requested funding from the Friends of the Historical Park for $18,340 to refurbish the original bell, improve the bell tower structure, remove the railroad bell, and replace the original bell in the bell tower.
Work on the project is scheduled to be completed in time for a grand re-ringing of the original church bell on Thursday, February 19, 2015. The winner of the "Draw the Historical Park" contest, which is taking place now, will be invited to ring the original bell for the first time that afternoon.
DISCUSSION:
The Friends of the Farmers Branch Historical Park was created in 2006 to provide financial and physical assistance to help the Historical Park achieve its mission. Since that time, the Friends have raised thousands of dollars that have gone to meeting that goal.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation by City Administration is to accept a donation from the Friends of the Farmers Branch Historical Park for funding the repair and installation of the original church bell into the Old Church at the Farmers Branch Historical Park.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Information Memo
2. Thank You Letter