help with proposal.

[divemaster1963]

I have been approached by the mayor of a city I work for to present a proposal to him and the council.

The title I came up with is : the macon-bibb environmental learning center and apiary.
I have included the  2010 national honeybee awareness day proclamation for the ag Dept.
The 2015 national strategy to promote the health of honeybees and other pollinators task force document.
Internet information like bees and their effect on us and our environment, the Pennsylvania apiculture Inc did you know article, the mother nature networks the importance of honeybees. And Orkins honeybee overview of honeybee facts, types,and characteristics.
I'm adding info on what it would cost to startup this Dept. Like recycling wood from logs cut by Street Dept. Using my sawmill to cut it. And offer the lumber to new beeks to build from. My salary and a assistant. Using property that is vacant and open to setup apiary .lecture room for training new beeks. And offer meetings and weekend gatherings

If you can't add info that I may have not thought about please let me know. This would be my dream retirement job.

If you have any ideas of costs it would help also.


John

[splitrock]

What is the proposal for exactly? What do they want you to do for them?

[GSF]

What about liabilities? i.e. someone got stung a mile away and they file charges against you.

[indypartridge]

I know some beekeepers in the northern part of Indiana who have set up apiaries in community gardens. They've already gone through local government regulatory hurdles. You may find some info on the following links useful. Links also contain contact info if you want to connect with them for specific questions:

http://www.peacebees.org/home/about

http://www.theunitygardens.org/honey.html

[divemaster1963]

What about liabilities? i.e. someone got stung a mile away and they file charges against you.

The site is near leeve about  2 miles from down town. The only possible liability would be from protisapents. They would have to sign waivers. They would be responsible for their hives and having them in the collective yard.

The city golf course has to add bee hive for their Audubon certification. I want to just have the learning center to teachabout beekeeping  and other enenvironmental awareness and have a secure location for people with no yards and in apartments to have access to keeping bees. State law requires counties and cities not to interfere with residence and there hives. This is basically a preimptive solution to allow bee hives in a controlled area that also considers people with sensitivities to bees . plus covers wide spectrum of gardening for nature and bringing awareness of pollinators.

John

[yes2matt]

I don't have help, but only to say wow! That really is a dream "job" ! I hope the best for ya.

[BeeMaster2]

Sounds like a great job John. Good luck. Hope you get it.
Jim

[divemaster1963]

Will the meeting is set for Thursday at three. I hope I have given him the information that he needs to make this happen.

Wish me luck.

John

[divemaster1963]

Will just update. I met with the mayor and we discussed the proposal. he was very impressed by the info pack that I made. so much so he called in his assistant and said to him "now this is how a proposal should be submitted". we talked about a hour about it . his only  concern was the start up budget. but I stated that we could cut it down to just me and have volinteers that I could work with and that it would be the start of the mentoring program. I also added to the mix that the center could show about small scale solar and wind power generation and how geneterators could be made from recycled ECM motors. he was impressed when we talked about my setup for power generation at my shop. now for the slow cogs of burocricy to start. maybe he will get it going at the new fiscal year in july or he may wait till election time. etheir way it still has to go before the council for full descion. man I hate the waiting game.


john

[Rurification]

Best of luck to you.   This seems like a really great project.

[Dallasbeek]

I'd suggest you contact your county's Master Gardeners at your county agriculture agent's office.  Almost every sizable county in the country has a Master Gardener program.  It would be a good source of vokunteers to get you up and running.  Also, some of them may be knowledgeable about xeriscape gardening and they might put in a demonstration garden that would feature plants for pollinators, as well as vegetables and ornamentals to "dress up" the place.  Lots of possibilities in your proposal.  Congratulations.

[BeeMaster2]

Glad it is working out for you. Keep us informed.
Jim