TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents necessary to enter into a Reimbursement Agreement with the Long Beach Unified School District, to reimburse the City of Long Beach an amount not to exceed $70,000 for the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department to provide staffing and other services to conduct a 10-week summer swim program, ensuring appropriate coordination given COVID-19 restrictions, at the Belmont Plaza Temporary Pool, Silverado Pool, Cabrillo High School Pool, Jordan High School Pool, and Martin Luther King, Jr., Pool, from June 17, 2021 through August 22, 2021; and
Increase appropriations in the General Fund Group by $40,834, and in the Tidelands Operating Fund Group by $9,166 in the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department, offset by reimbursement revenue. (Districts 3,6,7,9)
DISCUSSION
Following the great success of previous swim programs at Long Beach pools during the summer, City Council approval is now requested to enter into a Reimbursement Agreement with the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) to allow the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department (PRM) to conduct a 10-week summer swim program (Program), at the Belmont Plaza Temporary, Silverado, Cabrillo High School, Jordan High School, and Martin Luther King, Jr. pools, to help youth, ages 17 and under, develop their swimming and water safety skills. PRM has been working with LBUSD to ensure appropriate coordination given COVID-19 restrictions and will continue to work with them to adjust programming as needed.
A study commissioned by the USA Swimming Foundation and conducted by the University of Memphis, found that nearly 70 percent of African American children, and nearly 60 percent of Latino children, have low or no swim ability, putting them at risk for drowning.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that ten people drown each day in the United States. A study published by the International Journal of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine found that participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the likelihood of drowning among children, ages one to four years, by 88 percent.
In addition, the USA Swimming Foundation has found that children who swim are more likely to be healthy, have positive self-esteem, and make friends. Swimming is a healthy, low-impact activity that has many physical and mental benefits. In addition to important safety skills that prevent drowning, swimming provides a fun and challenging way for youth to stay fit by providing cardiovascular activity that promotes heart and lung health.
The proposed Reimbursement Agreement contains the following major provisions:
• Term: The Program will run for 10 weeks - from June 17, 2021 through August 22, 2021.
• Staffing: PRM will utilize four lifeguards, one senior lifeguard, and one Recreation Leader Specialist to staff the Program.
• Proposed/Planned Weekly Schedule for Recreation Swim Sessions:
Belmont Plaza Temporary Pool: Monday-Sunday: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Silverado Pool: Monday-Sunday: 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Cabrillo High School Pool: Monday-Friday: 11:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Jordan High School Pool: Monday-Friday: 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Martin Luther King, Jr., Pool: Monday-Sunday: 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Program Costs: All costs incurred by PRM to staff and run the Program will be reimbursed by LBUSD; the agreed cost reimbursement will be $70,000.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Arturo D. Sanchez on April 21, 2021 and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on April 25, 2021.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on May 18, 2021, to enable the execution of the proposed Reimbursement Agreement, to capture the entire term of the Program.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total revenue from LBUSD will not exceed $70,000 and will reimburse program costs including staff, materials, and supplies. Of the total amount, $20,000 will be used to subsidize youth swim fees typically collected during the summer. An appropriation increase for the balance of $50,000 is requested in the amount of $40,834 in the General Fund Group and $9,166 in the Tidelands Operating Fund Group in the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department, offset by revenues from LBUSD. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. This recommendation will result in a positive impact on jobs. Six temporary seasonal jobs will be created to conduct the Program.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
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Respectfully Submitted,
BRENT DENNIS
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER