TITLE
Accepting the gift of travel expense and tuition from the Knight Foundation in partnership with Harvard University for Mary Xiong to attend the Responsive Cities Network Sprint convening from 9/29/2026 - 09/30/2026.
BODY
WHEREAS, the Knight Foundation in partnership with Harvard University is holding a convening that will bring together ten cities to Harvard University - Saint Paul being one of the ten Knight foundation cities to exchange ideas and practical approaches on community-centered technology use to help explore solutions for staff and community partners within the Responsive Cities Network; and
WHEREAS, Mary Xiong has been invited to attend and participate in the Responsive Cities Network convening with Knight city representatives; and
WHEREAS, the convening will take place at Harvard University from 9/29/2026 - 09/30/2026; and
WHEREAS, the Knight Foundation in partnership with Harvard University has offered to cover the tuition, travel expenses, meals, and lodging for Mary Xiong to attend not to exceed $4,000; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Saint Paul finds that attendance at this convening is beneficial to the City by providing an opportunity for participants to engage in sessions to explore the use of data, technology, and obtain community insight together with other city network to help surface patterns, organize information, and accelerate inquiry solutions for the city; now therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the City Council accepts the gift of tuition and travel expenses for Mary Xiong to attend the program and thanks the Knight Foundation and Harvard University for their generosity.