REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
January 28, 2016
FROM: BRUCE RUDD, City Manager
SUBJECT
Title
Actions pertaining to joint use of school district green space:
1. Adopt a finding of categorical exemption pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15301/Class
2. Approve material terms of Joint Use Agreement with Central Unified School District
3. Approve First Amendment to Joint Use Agreement with Fresno Unified School District
Body
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that Council adopt the CEQA finding of categorical exemption and approve the material terms of a joint use agreement with Central Unified School District (CUSD) and amended joint use agreement with Fresno Unified School District (FUSD).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The joint use agreements with FUSD and CUSD will allow the use of approximately 16 school sites for City recreational programming and general public use on weekends. In 2008, the City entered into a joint use agreement with FUSD to enhance underutilized athletic facilities on FUSD high school campuses, maximize community recreational use, and expand the capacity for the City, City residents and FUSD students. The agreement runs through December 1, 2025, and gives the City a priority right to schedule use of FUSD facilities whenever the facilities are not being used by FUSD for educational programs and related school activities. The proposed amendment will expand the scope of the agreement beyond the originally identified high school sites to include elementary and middle school sites, as determined by the City and FUSD. Similarly, the agreement with CUSD will open sites identified by City and CUSD for City recreational programming and general public use for a period of one year, automatically renewing from year to year until terminated by either party.
BACKGROUND
To address the lack of open space and recreational opportunities within the community, the City will partner with FUSD and CUSD to provide the facilities needed to support a weekend recreation, fitness, and health/nutrition program that will operate at various school sites located throughout the Fresno community. The City and the Districts are partnering on a pilot program aimed at providing the community with access to additional open and green space on weekends. The City has issued a Request for Proposals seeking proposals from qualified agencies/organizations to provide a variety of recreational, fitness, and nutrition oriented programming services at various FUSD and CUSD sites.
The City has committed $1.2 million towards funding the program for one year, but anticipates additional funding to be allocated in subsequent budget cycles to sustain the program.
The attached joint use agreements allow the City and the Districts to choose various sites that best meet the needs of the community. The facilities, green space, and auxiliary facilities such as restrooms will be available for City programming and general public use at a minimum from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. (The joint use agreements also include provisions for indemnification, and insurance, among others.)
The project will open the equivalent of 340 acres of green space to City residents.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment of this project had has determined it falls within Categorical Exemption 15331/Class 1 which exempts projects where there is no change or expansion in existing use. Furthermore, staff has determined that none of the exceptions to Categorical Exemptions set forth in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 apply to this project.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT
The joint use agreements themselves have no fiscal impact. However, providing additional green space in the community has an annual $1.5 million impact on the general fund. On December 17, 2015, the City Council approved appropriations for the first year of this agreement.
Attachments:
Central Unified Joint Use Agreement
First Amendment to Fresno Unified Joint Use Agreement