REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
May 19, 2016
FROM: BRUCE RUDD, City Manager
City Manager’s Office
BY: MANUEL A. MOLLINEDO, PARCS Director
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
Approve a Joint Use Agreement with Fresno Unified School District pertaining to the City’s Weekend Community Open Space Program
Body
RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager’s Office recommends the City Council approve a Joint Use Agreement with Fresno Unified School District (FUSD) for fourteen school sites.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On December 17, 2015, the Council approved appropriations to significantly expand the amount of available green space to Fresno residents through a partnership with FUSD and Central Unified School District (CUSD). The program will open fourteen FUSD campuses and two CUSD campuses for City recreational programming and general public use on weekends. On April 28, 2016, the Council approved the Joint Use Agreement with CUSD, and CUSD approved on May 10. On May 11, 2016, the FUSD Board approved the attached joint use agreements. The agreement will open sites identified by City and FUSD for a period of one year, with the option for the City to administratively extend the agreement from year to year thereafter upon agreement of the School Board. Both City and District shall prepare and present an annual report to their governing bodies that addresses the activities that have occurred, plans for the future, and any concerns that need to be addressed.
BACKGROUND
To address the lack of open space and recreational opportunities within the community, the City of Fresno has partnered with CUSD and FUSD to provide school sites that will support a weekend recreation, fitness, and health/nutrition program that will operate throughout the Fresno community. The City has committed $1.2 million towards funding this program for one year, but anticipates additional funding to be allocated in subsequent budget cycles.
The Weekend Community Open Space Program will provide community access to green space while offering an array of diversified fitness, nutrition, youth sports and recreational programs at 16 school sites (14 FUSD, 2 CUSD). The program will operate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year, adjusted seasonally. The program services offered at the school sites will be led by PARCS staff trained in SPARK, 5 for Life Fitness and Nutrition, Silver Sneakers, California School Aged Consortium and PARCS recreation and community services core curriculum.
The program will have kickoff grand openings at all 16 sites which will include the PARCS Mobile Science Vehicle, community partners, live music, and carnival style games. The program will be implemented, operated, supervised and managed by PARCS and will be spot checked and evaluated by the Fresno State Recreation Administration Department. PARCS will work with each Council District to provide programming that meet the needs of the many diverse communities in Fresno and will be adjusted as necessary in order to provide meaningful programs for the community.
Council previously approved terms of an amended joint use agreement with FUSD on January 28, 2016. The Administration is bringing back before you a restructured joint use agreement with FUSD specific to the City’s Weekend Community Open Space Program at elementary and middle school sites, as well as a letter agreement supplementing an existing 2008 Joint Use Agreement with FUSD for use of high school campuses. The joint use agreements allow the City and FUSD to choose various sites that best meet the needs of the community. The agreements were approved by the FUSD Board of Education on May 11, 2016.
Per Council request, once the program is implemented, staff will return to council with a workshop to include status updates, performance measures, challenges, and success at the six month mark.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
This project was previously assessed and a finding of categorical exemption was adopted by the Council on January 28, 2016.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable.
FISCAL IMPACT
On December 17, 2015, the Council approved $1.2 million dollars in appropriations to significantly expand the amount of available green space in the community. Resolution 2015-104 appropriated excess FY15 General Fund Carryover to operating programs and capital improvement projects citywide.
Attachments:
Joint Use Agreement - Fresno Unified
Agreement Letter - Fresno Unified