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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFY 2019 Budget Presentation (Office of the Mayor) Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. Managing Director Wallace G. Rezentes Jr. COUNTY OF KAUA`I Office of the Mayor 2019 Budget Presentation March 22, 2018 FY 2019 Budget Presentation Page 1 Office of the Mayor I. Mission The mission of the Office of the Mayor is to carry out the vision for Kaua`i by directing the management of all executive departments, offices, and agencies. The Office of the Mayor also serves as a liaison between the County Council and administration, supports boards and commissions, responds to citizen concerns, facilitates the County’s State and Federal legislative agendas, coordinates internal communications among departments, and external communications with the general public, the State, and Federal governments. In addition, the Office of the Mayor manages the Life Choices Kaua`i office, and monitors compliance with two federal laws, the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Americans with Disability Act (ADA). II. Vision Mayor Carvalho’s vision for the County of Kaua‘i is to provide for responsible management and oversight of:  The County’s Reserve policy;  The maintenance, repair and reconstruction of roads and bridges;  Increase efficiencies in transportation services through the implementation of recommendations provided in the Short Range Transit Plan;  Sufficient equipment for work crews;  A responsible and user-friendly local government;  A feasible solid waste diversion through reduce, reuse, recycle;  Multi-modal transportation alternatives;  Promotion of renewable energy and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels; and  Development of a range of affordable housing opportunities Mayor Carvalho’s vision for the community will focus on:  An island that is sustainable;  Values of our native culture;  A thriving and healthy economy;  Caring for all, from keiki to kupuna; FY 2019 Budget Presentation Page 2 FY 2019 Budget Presentation Page 3 III. Successes and Achievements County’s Financial Status: The County’s Fitch rating was upgraded from AA- to AA. Transparency in Government: Public access to records and information. Public Information: Our Public Information Office provides timely information to the public through various media sources including social media 24 hours a day, 365 days a year Collaboration: Engage, communicate and collaborate with county, state and federal agencies and/or departments, Council members, legislators, the Hawaii congressional delegation and with the mayors through the Hawaii Council of Mayors and the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the Chamber of Commerce to address issues and concerns pertinent to our residents. Adolescent Treatment & Healing Center: We received $5 million from the State Legislature for the design and construction of our first adolescent treatment and healing center to be built. Equal Employment Opportunity/American with Disabilities Act: One formal complaint was filed for this fiscal year in comparison with 10-12 formal ADA complaints typically filed annually. Access to ASL and language interpreters has been streamlined to provide faster, simpler and more cost effective procedures to acquire their services as needed. Boards and Commissions Boards and Commissions: Our staff assists 14 Boards and Commissions, and three advisory committees (Mayor’s Advisory Committee for Equal Access, Arborist Committee, and the Committee on the Status of Women) comprised of over 121 resident volunteers. Access to agenda packets and/or minutes of these meetings are easily accessed at www.kauai.gov/BoardsandCommissions. Boards and Commissions Sponsored Training: The Office of Boards and Commissions’ past practice has been to hold four training sessions for all volunteer members that include Effective Meeting Management, Orientation for Boards and Commissions Members, Basic Parliamentary Procedure, and Evaluating Board/Commission- Appointed Department Heads. To make the training more convenient for the volunteers we will be developing a stream-lined training program that will be presented at each board/commission’s regularly scheduled meeting. This will ensure that all members receive proper training to be effective in their volunteer positions, and is scheduled to begin in April or May of 2018. Course Description FY 15-16 Attendance FY 16-17 Attendance FY 17-18 Attendance Effective Meeting Management (Chairs, Vice Chairs) 18 11 April/May Orientation for Board/Commission Members 21 21 April/May Basic Parliamentary Procedures 14 12 April/May Evaluating Board/Commission Appointed Department Heads 12 NA TBD FY 2019 Budget Presentation Page 4 FY 2019 Budget Presentation Page 5 Equal Employment Opportunity/American with Disabilities Act: The EEO/ADA Coordinator brings together components of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 including language access, the Equal Employment Opportunity Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act under one umbrella. Our EEO/ADA coordinator is training and working with assigned individuals in each department to meet the unique needs of each Department and to ingrain equal access into the daily workings of each Department. While there have been 10-12 formal ADA complaints annually in the past, there continues to be a substantial reduction in formal complaints with only one filed for this fiscal year. The County continues to benefit from greater County employee awareness, from problems being addressed before escalating into formal complaints, and from improved employee knowledge of how to access services. Rather than day-long highly technical trainings, our EEO/ADA Coordinator provides on-going ADA awareness and customer service training and meets one-on- one or in small groups to discuss issues that Departments are encountering. Additionally, the Coordinator has built strong working relationships with State of Hawai‘i offices which have resulted in problem resolution at an early stage, the opportunity to bring specialists to Kaua‘i to provide technical training at low or no cost to the County, and the appointment of the Coordinator to the State’s Language Access Advisory Council. In the upcoming fiscal year, ADA access specialists from the Disability and Communications Access Board to will update construction and maintenance employees on new technical standards, and the Office on Language Access will provide training on accommodating people with low English proficiency as required by the Civil Rights Act. FY 2019 Budget Presentation Page 6 FY 2019 Budget Presentation Page 7 Life’s Choices Kauai Program: Alcohol Awareness Month: In honor of Alcohol Awareness Month, Life’s Choices Kaua‘i, Department of Liquor Control, Kaua‘i Police Department School Resource Officers, Department of Education (DOE) High School Students, Lihue & Kapaa Boys and Girls Club, and the Lihue Cougars Soccer Team and other community members participated in its Annual Sticker Shock event on April 28, 2017. Approximately 70 people (youth and adults) traveled from Kapa‘a to Eleele Times/Big Save Supermarkets placing over 2000 stickers addressing the legal consequences of purchasing and providing alcohol to minors were placed on boxes of multi-packs of beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages, and alcohol. This national initiative not only educates the community regarding underage drinking but also enhances leadership traits and advocacy skills within the youth participating in the program. It is also a great way for parents to start discussing the negative consequences of underage drinking with their youth. This year’s annual event will be held on April 27. Grant Funding: With the Life’s Choices Grant in Aid funding, we were able to issue mini grants to 7 agencies, and 3 high schools throughout the island for activities/events for 2017 in the total amount of $17,102.40 ORGANIZATION PROJECT/PROGRAM AMOUNT Care Hawaii Inc. Video Resource Library-IOP $1,937.40 Child & Family Service E Ala Hou-Wellness Retreat $2,000.00 Child & Family Service Domestic Violence-Trauma Sensitive Yoga $665.00 Friends of Kauai Drug Court Preventing Recidivism $500.00 Hale Opio Imua-Prevention Education $2,000.00 Hale Opio Yes Event $2,000.00 Kapaa High School PG Kapaa High School Project Graduation $2,000.00 PAIRS PTSA Kauai High School Project Graduation $2,000.00 Waimea Project Grad Waimea High School Project Graduation $2,000.00 Women In Need Team WIN Retreat $2,000.00 FY 2019 Budget Presentation Page 8 Annual Health & Wellness Fair: In September of 2017, Life Choices Kaua‘i hosted its Annual Health & Wellness fair partnering with the Committee on the Status of Women and 64 other community organizations. There were over 400 attendees. Live demonstrations were the highlight of this year’s event. Adolescent Treatment and Healing Center: A blessing and groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site of the future Adolescent Treatment & Healing Center at North Maalo Road on January 4, 2018. Federal, State, County Officials and Community Stakeholders took part in the event. Over 100 people were in attendance. Partnership for Success Grant (PFS): Life’s Choices Kauai secured a no cost extension for the PFS grant until September 28, 2018. Under the capacity building stage, of the PFS staff were able to become certified Trainers in the Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training (SAPST). We will be hosting the SAPST on here Kauai sometime in May 2018. Another notable success of the PFS Grant is the building of a Coalition in the 96766 area. The newly formed Ho’okele Coalition is currently applying for the Drug Free Communities (DFC) Grant. Community Education -“Keeping Your Community Safe” Life’s Choices Kauai partnered with Kauai Police Department and the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney and hosted 4 community educational meetings throughout the island. o Kaua’i Police Department provided information on Fraud, Internet Safety and the Neighborhood Watch Program, o The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney shared information on The Drug Nuisance Abatement Unit, and o Life’s Choices Kaua’i provided an update on the Adolescent Treatment and Healing Center and shared information on Coalition Building FY 2019 Budget Presentation Page 9 Sister Cities: • Three students and a chaperone from Ishigaki arrived on Kaua‘i in August for an educational/homestay program hosted by Kapa‘a High School. Each year, Ishigaki City sends three to four students who are top winners of an annual speech contest. The three girls included Himeka Suzuki, Chio Teruya and Hina Omichi. Joining the girls at a hosted dinner at the Smith’s Luau were Consul General of Japan-Honolulu, Mr. Yasushi Misawa and Mrs. Misawa.  In September, Consul General of Japan-Honolulu Yasushi Misawa bid farewell with Mayor Carvalho as he prepared for his next assignment in Berlin, and kindly asked the Mayor to extend the same cooperation, guidance and support to his successor Koichi Ito.  Mayor Carvalho joined the 45 member Kaua‘i Yankees Little League delegation in July for their first Japan goodwill baseball games in Iwaki and Hiroshima. The Mayor is hopeful that a Little League team from Iwaki will visit Kaua‘i this summer.  Winners of the Iwaki sunshine Marathon in February participated in the Kaua‘i Marathon in September. Mr. Tsuneo Suzuki, President of the Iwaki Hawai‘i Exchange Association accompanied the male and female winners.  In October, at the annual Matsuri Kaua‘i Festival we celebrated the 20th anniversary of Sister/State relations with the State of Hawai‘i and Hiroshima with the “Orizuru for Peace” project. To celebrate the occasion, people from Kaua‘i, including Mayor Carvalho helped to fold 1,000 origami for the project.  The Kaua‘i County Council accepted the invitation of the City of Davao, Republic of the Philippines to enter into a sister-city relationship with the County of Kaua‘i and on February 5, 2018 City Mayor Sara Duterte and Mayor Carvalho signed the Sister City Agreement in Davao, City, Philippines.  Kumu Hula Mapuana Kazama returned to Kaua‘i for her 2nd Ho’onani Hula Celebration. Thirty-nine hula dancers which included her granddaughter came from three (3) historic cities; Odawara, Fuji and Machida. This year, the February event was the 1st fundraiser for the Kaua‘i Japanese Cultural Society.  A delegation of two (2) government officials and a business consultant from Ishigaki City, Okinawa visited Kaua‘i in February, in hopes of having two official events in Ishigaki – the 55th anniversary of Ishigaki and Kaua‘i Sister City relations in September, and the Ishigaki Islander Summit and Festival in November 2018. Certificates and Proclamations:  Over 150 proclamations and 250 certificates were written to recognize and honor extraordinary contributions and special community events. FY 2019 Budget Presentation Page 10 Washington D.C. Consultant: Smith Dawson & Andrews, the County’s Washington, D.C. consultants, continue to focus on aligning County priority projects with federal grant opportunities while assisting us with implementation of current grants, including the 2015 TIGER grant ($15.1 Million). Most recently, SDA also assisted the County in applying for the Bus and Bus Facilities grant, which the County was awarded- $580,000. Currently, SDA is working with the County and the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the Organization of American States to prepare an application for Hawaii to host a future America’s Competitiveness Exchange (ACE) program, which will bring industry executives and diplomats to Hawaii to tour “wow of the now” sites and explore business and trade opportunities. As necessary, SDA serves as a liaison with Federal Agencies regarding our interests in discretionary opportunities, such as funding for affordable housing, economic development programs or saving the Lihue Post Office. SDA is currently producing the Kauai project focused federal grants book, which they provide to our departments annually. This year the book will also reflect the priorities of the new Administration, which is still working out the details of their priorities by Agency. On the policy side, SDA partners with the County to identify key policy issues and critical legislation and regulations. SDA provides regular legislative updates (including hearings, status of bills and grants) to the Mayor's office. By tracking legislation as it moves through Congress, SDA ensures the County is well positioned to “weigh in” when necessary. SDA provides annual in put regarding the appropriations process, making requests to the Congressional delegation on our behalf for funding for critical programs. In no particular order, SDA's activities regularly include the following: 1. Appropriations-Determining appropriate funding levels for federal programs important to the County and filing requests for support for those programs from with the Congressional delegation in the regular appropriations process for FY 2017, FY 2018 and FY 2019. 2. Federal Agenda-Monitoring issues of interest and benefit to the County projects and communicating with the County departments regularly and as necessary. Sending weekly and/or monthly updates of hearings, legislation, grants and Congressional/White House activities. Tracking and providing the County departments with hundreds of grant announcements and recommending various projects that might align with the funding. SDA provides the County with regular summaries of Congressional hearings and legislation. 3. Economic Development-Participates in webinars and meetings conducted with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Department of the Interior. Sends along relevant info, questions and highlights as necessary. Facilitates meetings between the Mayor and county staff and the federal agencies. 4. Long Term Relationship Building-Corresponds with several House and Senate staff and Members on various issues including tax extenders, municipal bonds, appropriations, FY 2019 Budget Presentation Page 11 housing programs and funding, TIGER and transportation funding, landfill and FAA issues, NOAA sanctuaries, the Kaua'i HCP and other U.S. Fish and Wildlife issues, and letters of support for grants. 5. During the Mayor’s January 2018 visit to Washington, D.C. for the U.S. Conferen ce of Mayors, the Mayor and his staff assistant and the mayors from Maui and City & County of Honolulu met with the U.S. Department of Commerce to learn more about the opportunity to host the 2019 federal government led America’s Competitiveness Exchange program, also known as the ACE program. SDA has been coordinating conference calls, communications and prepared the letter of intent to three federal agencies involved. SDA will continue to coordinate communications and work between the Hawaii Counties/Mayors and the three federal agencies with the goal of preparing an application to be submitted for the Hawaii Counties to serve as host for the 2019 ACE program and submit the final application for the 5 day visit proposal while also serving as a liaison between the Hawaii ACE Team and the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Department of State and the Organization of American States. IV. Challenges Financial 1. Complete the siting of the new Ma‘alo landfill. 2. Continuing to create and maintain a financially and sustainable budget in order to provide the level of services our residents expect and demand. 3. Continue to pursue our counties’ fair share of the Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) at the State Legislature. 4. Address the road and bridge repair, maintenance and reconstruction backlog through the leveraging of GET funding. 5. Continue to operate bus service and paratransit service to the public in a cost-effective manner and improve maintenance of the counties 122 bus stops. 6. Find methods to direct waste from our landfill in a cost effective manner. FY 2019 Budget Presentation Page 12 V. Fiscal Year 2018 County Strategic Goals & Objectives Goals: Continue to maintain the County’s financial sustainability, make government more efficient, support public private community partnerships and build the Adolescent Healing & Treatment Center Objectives: Continue the efforts of the Land Information Management System (LIMS) team to manage and formulate a county Geographic Information System (GIS) by combining data from various departments into one user friendly platform that will save time from having to retrieve data manually and be accessible to the public. Begin vertical construction of the Adolescent Healing and Treatment Facility and procure services through an RFP. Support the continued implementation of Kauai Nui Kuapapa. Support and expand cultural and agricultural stewardship agreements with community groups. Support initiatives for the future development of the Technology Center. VI. Operating Budget Discussion The Office of Mayor’s overall FY 2019 operating budget reflects an increase of 12.4% over FY 2018 largely due to two grant application requests. 1. FY2019 Mayor’s Administrative Operating Budget increase is largely attributable to two one- time/non-recurring grant requests totaling $510,000. The grant request for the Kauai Philippine Cultural Center of $500,000 will be used to finish and complete the center construction. The second grant request of $10,000 is to fund a joint grant application with the City & County of Honolulu and the County of Maui to host the International America Competitive Exchange (ACE) Conference in the State. The funding for this conference will only be necessary if the counties are successful in its application to host the conference. 2. The FY 2019 in Boards and Commissions is reflective of a transfer of the Video and Streaming line item of $130,000 that was moved to IT’s budget. The Boards and Commission budget includes a line item of $100,000 for a Contested Case Hearing Officer totaling $100,000. The Contested Case Hearing Officer funding was previously budgeted in the Planning Department. FY 2019 Budget Presentation Page 13 Application Form to Host an ACE 2 Application Form to Host an Americas Competitiveness Exchange on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ACE) 1. ABOUT The Americas Competitiveness Exchange on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ACE) is one of the main activities of the Organization of American States (OAS) in the promotion of better innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems in the Americas. The ACE program is included as part of the core initiatives of the Inter-American Competitiveness Network (RIAC) - www.riacnet.org - , in which the OAS serves as Technical Secretariat. The ACE is a high-level program that brings 50+ economic and political decision mak ers from across the Americas and beyond to get to know first -hand the clues and best practices from a particular region’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems. The top leaders selected to participate in the week-long program tour innovative hubs, adv anced technology centers, leading firms and educational and research institutions, to explore local and regional economic development models, share experiences and knowledge, and build networks among the local and visiting stakeholders to enhance innovation and competitiveness in the Americas. Public - private partnership projects and strategic investments are highlighted in various sub -regions, in urban and rural environments. Specific clusters that are covered during the program include: advanced manufacturing, information and communication technology, water, agriculture, energy, medical devices. The ACEs are designed to build cooperation networks around the Western Hemisphere and beyond to create better Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystems that prom ote sustainable and inclusive economic development. To date, the ACE has been held four times in the United States (Atlanta, Georgia and North & South Carolina in April 2014; Minneapolis, Minnesota-Central, Wisconsin & Chicago, Illinois in April 2015; Arizona & Southern California in April 2016; and Central Texas in April 2017); in 3 Mexico in August 2014; Cordoba, Argentina in October 2015; and Ontario, Canada in September 2016. The Eighth ACE will take place in North-Central Florida December 3-9, 2017. 2. INSTITUTIONS: ACE is convened in the context of RIAC by the Chair Pro Tempore of RIAC (the Government of Mexico in 2016-2017), the Government of the United States, through its Department of Commerce (the International Trade Administration (ITA) and the Economic Development Administration (EDA)), the U.S. Department of State; and the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS) as the RIAC Technical Secretariat. 3. OBJECTIVES: • Increase knowledge on Innovation and Entrepreneurship by sharing of good practices to strengthen local innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems. • Establish collaboration and partnerships among stakeholders from universities, industries and governments. • Advance commerce and accelerate business opportunities. • Showcase the importance and benefits of: a. Public-private partnerships to advance a coordinated regional economic development strategy that leverages local assets; b. A coordinated regional business plan to stimulate capital investment and job creation; c. Research to understand problems and develop tools to achieve environmentally sound economic development; d. Providing appropriate infrastructure for innovative businesses to start up and expand; e. Uniting Universities, Industry, and Government to solve complex challenges no one sector or player could address on their own. 4 4.SELECTION OF ACE HOSTS AND SITES: ACE programs are part of the RIAC Work Program. Countries and regions interested in hosting ACE should present a written proposal and preliminary itinerary for consideration by the RIAC/ACE Coordinating Committee. The RIAC/ACE Coordinating Committee: For ACE events held outside the United States, the ACE Coordinating Committee shall be composed of representatives of the ACE Host country (Coordinating Team and representative from the Permanent Mission of the country to the OAS), the Chair Pro Tempore of RIAC, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of State, and the GS/OAS as the RIAC Technical Secretariat. For ACE events held in the United States , the ACE Coordinating Committee shall be composed by representatives of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administrat ion (EDA) and International Trade Administration (ITA), the U.S. Department of State, the Chair Pro Tempore of RIAC, and the Organization of American States (OAS). 5. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO HOST ACE: 1) ACE Host and site proposals shall only be accepted i f led by “gatekeepers” for the region or country – people who have the authority to allocate and direct the necessary resources to host and formally request the organization of an ACE event. 2) An economic region of a country (or countries) with enough critic al elements of key economic drivers that can act as a single economic unit for the ACE program to enable close and meaningful win-win collaboration with potential partners. 3) Proposals shall demonstrate regional cooperation through a consortium of public, private and academic partners and the strength of their partnerships. 4) Urban and rural economic assets that can create international linkages. 5) The financial support, economic, and cultural assets that can be used to engage the ACE delegation to drive regional development. 6) International Airport (s) as designated by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), or the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) that c an handle customs and international connections. 5 7) Host countries must be considered OAS Member States or Permanent Observers in good standing. 8) Budget allocation to host and support the design, planning, and implementation of the ACE program is necessary. In addition to the national/local budget allocation that is needed to execute the activity, an estimate of $ 50,000 is necessary to support the operation of the activity with a regional coordinator, regional support staff, design and production of material, logistics coordination, video recording, media campaign and outreach. The amount will also be used to provide partial financial support to at least 10 - 12 participants from small economies. For Special Editions of ACE outside the Hemisphere, estimated costs are subject to change. 9) Identify a core team with a minimum of 1 full time Coordinator and 2 Support Staff. It is expected that at least 1 person from the host country is assigned to support the OAS RIAC Technical Secretariat in preparation of the activity and post-activity to follow-up on the potential collaboration opportunities. 6. PROCESS TO PRESENT A REQUEST TO HOST ACE: Step 1: Expression of Interest (EOI) – An expression of interest in the form of a letter to the Executive Secretary for Integral Development at the OAS that outlines the primary region, partners, key anchor sites, and suggested dates for the proposed ACE route. This letter can also ask for consultations and assistance from t he RIAC/ACE Coordinating Committee in helping craft the bid proposal outline. Letters of intent shall be considered starting up to two years in advance. No letter of intent shall be considered within 9 months before a proposed ACE. Step 2: Full Proposal – The preparation of this proposal is by invitation only after the expression of interest has been reviewed by the RIAC/ACE Coordinating Committee. The full proposal shall include a detailed draft agenda, key and committed anchor sites and speakers, key organizers, and other items that demonstrate the region’s ability to comply with the minimum 6 requirements to host ACE as well as any value-added to be considered by the Committee. See template below for additional information. Formal full proposals shall be submitted to the RIAC/ACE Coordinating Committee at least 9 months before a proposed ACE. There is generally two ACE events per year. A special addition or similar type of ACE event can be considered but it would require the full approval of the ACE committee. An example of such an event would be an ACE held outside of the hemisphere or another mitigating or special factor that would allow the committee to give the special addition full and fair consideratio n. Once the full proposal is submitted to the ACE committee, a response with the status will be officially sent to the requested country within two months. Step 3: Participation- The RIAC/ACE Coordinating Committee shall give preference to those proposals from regions/countries with experience and participation in prior ACE events. If a bidding group has not engaged in an ACE event as a participant, the Committee may recommend such participation in an ACE event before submission of an expression of int erest and final proposal. Step 4: Selection and Announcement – ACE events shall be officially confirmed and announced at the preceding ACE by the next host and the OAS. After selection, the next host shall work closely with the RIAC/ACE Coordinating Committee and the OAS to plan and implement all the necessary procedures and materials to develop an updated timeline, start the application process, fine tune the itinerary, agendas, list of contact points at each site, design, logo, communication strategy, website and social media outlets to support all preparations to host and organize ACE. Weekly calls are necessary. Step 5: Agenda and Itinerary of ACE - After ACE hosts are announced, the ACE coordinating team and representative from the Host country to the RIAC/ACE Coordinating Committee shall be appointed. The RIAC/ACE Coordinating Committee shall work with the ACE host team and provide guidance to define key anchor sites, themes, sectors and clusters to be part of the 7 program as well as recommendations and best practices on protocol, logistics, travel times, presenter schedules, and any other relevant information to organize ACE. This process shall be implemented for 6 to 8 months leading up to the date set for the ACE program. 7. PROFILE AND SELECTION OF ACE PARTICIPANTS: ACE participants shall be decision makers, including Ministers/Vice Ministers or equivalent, members of Congress/Legislature/Parliament, Private Sector Leaders, Mayors or Senior Leaders from cities or provinces, Chancellors/Presidents/Vice Presidents of Universities, Presidents of Competitiveness Councils, Senior leaders of regional economic development part nership groups, innovation agencies or other key public or private sector individuals, among others. Participation shall be limited to a maximum of 50 participants from OAS Member States and OAS Observers. • Countries hosting ACE may include up to 10% of t he participants in the ACE program from the host nation. If these posts are not filled they shall become available for the general pool of applications. • A maximum of 15-20% of the participant slots can be allocated to OAS observer countries in good standing. Host countries can identify the OAS observer countries to be considered for ACE participation and the RIAC/ACE Coordinating Committee shall confirm them . Countries are encouraged to focus on OAS member countries before identifying observer countries for participation. • A maximum of 20% of the participant slots can be allocated to ACE hosts from the prior two ACE events. If these spots are not filled, they shall become available for the general pool of applications. • Gender balance, geographic represent ativeness, and the participation of leaders from academia, government, and the private sector, with a special emphasis on small business development centers and entrepreneurs, is encouraged. • Prior ACE host sites shall receive preference for delegation spot s for the subsequent two ACE events after hosting. After two ACE events, their applications shall be considered among the general pool of applicants. 8 • Prior ACE participants who have shown results and effective implementation of partnerships and collaboration opportunities from prior ACE events will be given preference in their application. The RIAC/ACE Coordinating Committee shall consider the following criteria for Selecting Participants in no particular order: • Seniority: If an applicant is the equivalent of a Deputy Minister or higher, they receive automatic or courtesy acceptance as head of delegation • Key-decision makers and influencers • Diversity: Geographical, sectorial and gender balance • Capacity to cover the cost of their participation • Former hosts and participants • Ability to create long term economic connections • Top entrepreneurs • Early application 10. TIMELINE (as stated in point 6): There shall be up to two ACEs per year ideally occurring in two different countries. While two different countries is ideal, the RIAC/ACE Coordinating Committee may select the same country based on bids received. 1) Letters of intent shall be considered starting up to two years in advance. No letter of intent shall be considered within 9 months before a proposed ACE. 2) Formal full proposals shall be submitted at least 9 months before a proposed ACE. 3) Formal selection of ACE hosts is announced at the preceding ACE event but ACE hosts shall know the decision in advance to begin planning and preparations for the formal and official announcement ACE Host Full Proposal Application Cover Sheet You may reproduce this form on your computer Date of application: Submitted for ACE host year: Lead Organization Information Name of overall coordinating organization Legal name, if different Address City, State/Provence, Zip, Country Phone Facebook and Twitter accounts Website Primary ACE Host Coodinator Title Phone E-mail Co – host (If applicable) Title Phone E-mail Proposal Information Please give a short summary of your region and why it should host an ACE: 10 ACE PROPOSAL NARRATIVE Please use the following outline as a guide to your ACE proposal narrative and submit a narrative (no longer than 8 pages) that includes items A-H below. A. ACE Host and site proposals shall be only accepted if led by “gatekeepers” for the region or country who have the authority to allocate and direct the necessary resources to host and formally request the organization of an ACE event; B. An economic region of a country (or countries) with enough critical elements of key economic drivers that can act as a single economic unit for the ACE program to enable close and meaningful win-win collaboration with p otential partners. C. Proposals shall demonstrate regional cooperation through a consortium of public, private and academic partners and the strength of their partnerships. D. Urban and rural economic assets that can create international linkages. E. The financial support, economic, and cultural assets that can be used to engage the ACE delegation to drive regional development. F. International Airport (s) as designated by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), or the International Civil Avi ation Organization (ICAO) that can handle customs and international connections. G. Host counties must be considered OAS Members or Permanent Observer Members in good standing. H. Budget allocation to host and support the design, planning, and implementation of the ACE program. ATTACHMENTS The following attachments are required: A. Full proposed agenda with anchor site partici pation confirmed. B. Cover letter from a key gatekeeper to accompany application packet. C. Letters of support from consor tium members and key c ountry wide leaders. 11 NOTES For applications hosted outside of the United States: bids must be coordinated by the Organization of American States as RIAC Technical Secretariat prior to being submitted to the RIAC/ACE Committee. For applications hosted in the United States: US regional bids must be coordinated by representatives of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) and International Trade Administration (ITA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Permanent Mission to the Organization of American States of the U.S. Department of State.