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Council signals preliminary support for Sensory Temp Pals partnership; founder seeks $30,000 startup and $12,000 annual operating support
Summary
Founder Miranda Congee described a 36‑foot mobile sensory unit intended to make city events accessible for children with developmental needs. She requested roughly $30,000 in one‑time start‑up assistance and $12,000 annually; council asked staff to draft an MOU and consider a funding agreement for FY27.
Councilmembers Reeves and Bowers opened a discussion on establishing a memorandum of understanding and possible funding partnership between the city and Sensory Temp Pals, a local 501(c)(3) that operates a deployable sensory space for families of children with autism and other developmental needs. Founder Miranda Congee identified herself and described the organization’s work, the purchase of a 36‑foot RV and plans to deploy at city events beginning with July 4.
Miranda Congee said staff is seeking a funding path that would stabilize operations: "the funding request is for a 1 time, 1st year, funding of approximately another 30,000, with a 12,000 annual, repeating funding after that." She said the RV will be deployed in June and expected to be available for the July 4 city event; current operations allow two families inside at a time with volunteer background checks and insurance requirements in place.
Council discussed the correct contractual vehicle: an MOU is non‑binding and useful to define partnership expectations, while a separate funding agreement is required to provide city funds. Council members stressed that any funding arrangement should balance expectations and not be overly punitive if the nonprofit is unable to attend an event. Staff recommended drafting an MOU that contemplates a funding agreement as the next step and to include performance measures and reporting (quarterly metrics and event attendance) as contract elements.
Council expressed general support to carry the item into the FY27 budget process for further negotiation; staff said a formal funding agreement and metrics would be developed as part of that work if council chooses to proceed. No appropriation was approved at the work session.
