REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: AARON AGUIRRE, Director
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
BY: Aldi RAMIREZ, Assistant Director
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
SHELBY MACNAB, Business Manager
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
Actions related to Community Services at Mosqueda Community Center:
1. Affirm City Manager’s determination that Reading and Beyond is uniquely qualified to provide community services at Mosqueda Community Center.
2. Approve a Service Agreement (Agreement) between the Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services (PARCS) Department and Reading and Beyond to provide community services for a three-year term at Mosqueda Community Center, located at 4670 E. Butler Ave, Fresno, CA 93702, for $1 per year.
3. Authorize the PARCS Director or their designee to execute the Agreement subject to approval by the City Attorney (District 5).
Body
RECOMMENDATION
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends the City Council affirm the City Manager’s determination that Reading and Beyond is uniquely qualified, approve the Agreement between the City of Fresno and Reading and Beyond for services at Mosqueda Community Center, and authorize the PARCS Director or their designee to execute the agreement subject to approval by the City Attorney.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Reading and Beyond is a non-profit corporation established in 1999 with a mission to empower children and families to achieve productive, self-reliant lives. In 2011, Reading and Beyond began operating at Mosqueda Community Center. In 2016, a second agreement for Lead Agency Operations was awarded to Reading and Beyond and later amended in 2017. All agreements between the City of Fresno PARCS Department and Reading and Beyond have since expired. The PARCS Department has determined that there is public benefit to entering into a final agreement with Reading and Beyond for services as the PARCS Department resumes operations of the center.
BACKGROUND
In 2010 PARCS began entering into Agreements with multiple community-based organizations (CBO’s). These Agreements authorized CBO’s to occupy and operate neighborhood centers throughout the community in exchange for the use of office and programming space at the facility at no-cost to rent. Under these terms, CBO’s provided services to community members and were responsible for the cost of janitorial services and partial costs of utilities. These agreements were initially created in response to the 2008 economic downturn which resulted in a scarcity of resources and the need for greater collaboration to keep community centers operational. On June 1, 2011, The City entered into an Operational Services Agreement for Lead Agency Operation of Mosqueda Community Center. The initial term for the agreement was five (5) years, with two (2), one-year (1) extension option. In 2016, a second agreement for Lead Agency Operations was awarded to Reading and Beyond and later amended in 2017. All agreements have since expired.
Reading and Beyond offers a multigenerational program that works with children and parents together to build education, economic assets, social capital, health and wellbeing to create economic security that passes from one generation to the next. Reading and Beyond helps families improve economic security and achieve upward mobility by offering a continuum of evidence-based cradle-to-career services. Reading and Beyond has built strong relationships, formed cross-sector collaboratives, earned trust, and become attuned to the supports and services desired by the southeast Fresno community. An Annual Report highlighting their work is included as an attachment to this report.
The PARCS Department has evaluated the public benefit of entering into service agreements across several centers, assessing the history of services provided, the community need for wrap-around supports provided by non-profit organizations as part of pandemic recovery efforts, and future direction at Mosqueda. Based on this assessment, PARCS staff have determined that Reading and Beyond is uniquely qualified to continue services at Mosqueda during a transitional period of three years. City staff have resumed offering programming at the center, and as a result of this agreement, City staff will occupy additional space at the site to enable programming to expand. After the transitional period the City intends to fully reoccupy the center. Staff requests the City Council affirm the City Manager’s determination that Reading and Beyond is uniquely qualified to continue services for a final term at Mosqueda.
Staff also requests approval of the Agreement between the City of Fresno and Reading and Beyond to allow services to continue at Mosqueda Community Center. The proposed Agreement with Reading and Beyond is for a final term of three (3) years through 2025. As part of the terms of the agreement, PARCS will assume all costs for operations and maintenance including utilities and janitorial. In exchange for the services outlined in Exhibit A of the agreement, Reading and Beyond will be provided space for operations at Mosqueda for $1 per year. Space allocation is subject to change over the term of the agreement based on PARCS programming needs. PARCS staff will remain on site to offer recreation, sports, senior and other programming, working with Reading and Beyond to maximize impact and avoid any duplication of efforts.
The City Attorney’s office, Risk Department and Purchasing Department have reviewed and approved the agreements as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
An Agreement for Services is not a project pursuant to section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable because the service provider has been deemed uniquely qualified by the City Manager.
FISCAL IMPACT
The Agreement will have no impact on the General Fund. Services offered by Reading and Beyond are not expected to increase operational and maintenance costs outside of what is already budgeted.
Attachment(s):
Uniquely Qualified Memo
Service Agreement
2020-2021 Annual Report