TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to approve the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine's Proposed Anti-Bullying Policy and Procedure. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
At its July 24, 2012, meeting, the City Council requested that the City Manager work with the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) and the Human Relations Commission to craft an Anti-Bullying Policy and Procedure (Proposed Policy) for all City of Long Beach (City) park programs and facilities (Attachment).
Since that time, representatives from the Junior League of Long Beach, Peace Builders, Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD), Human Dignity Office, Human Relations Commission, Library Services, Police Department, and PRM have held multiple meetings to craft a mission statement, code of conduct, and key objectives to prevent, identify, and address bullying in park programs and facilities.
Since the Proposed Policy impacts activities in park programs and facilities, the Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed the Proposed Policy at its March 14, 2013, regular monthly meeting. The Human Relations Commission reviewed the Proposed Policy at its March 14 and April 11, 2013, regular monthly meetings and provided additional input.
A key concern presented by the Human Relations Commission is that the approved Anti-Bullying Policy and Procedure not result in expelling troubled youth participants from PRM programs. As a result, it was recommended that the City explore outside programs focused on restorative justice. This is an approach that involves both the victim and the offender in an interactive process before the offending youth is reintegrated into the PRM park program. Offenders are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions in order to repair the harm they have caused, and learn the skills necessary to avoid future offences. Strategies recommended by restorative justice experts include restorative justice conferences and circles, the introduction of informal practices for engaging with victims and offenders, and supervision strategies that promote behavior change to prevent future wrongdoing. Further, the Human Relations Commission recommended that the Proposed Policy be applied to all City departments, and that LBUSD be encouraged to adopt a restorative justice program in their own policy on bullying.
The City currently lacks the expertise and staffing to implement the restorative justice process; therefore, additional resources will be required to fully implement the recommendations of the Human Relations Commission. PRM staff estimates that an annual operating budget of $140,000 would be required to fully implement the Proposed Policy, including the recommendations of the Human Relations Commission. This would require the hiring of an outside consultant to develop a restorative justice training program; staff hours dedicated to the annual training process; a staff coordinator to conduct investigations and make referrals; promotional printing costs to provide training materials for program participants; and contracting with an outside facilitator, recommended by the Human Relations Commission, to conduct the restorative justice program. Funding for this option is not budgeted and would require identification of a funding source.
Alternatively, the policy as proposed by PRM, closely mirrors that of LBUSD and was developed to address bullying with minimal staffing or material costs. PRM estimates the cost to implement the Proposed Policy without the components mentioned above would be approximately $10,000 annually for staff time and the printing and distribution of basic training materials, and could be implemented within current appropriations.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Gary J. Anderson on July 1, 2013 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on June 28, 2013.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on July 16, 2013, in order to provide PRM with sufficient time to prepare materials and basic training for staff to incorporate some of the program elements in this year's programming.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost to implement the Proposed Policy is estimated to be $10,000 annually and would be absorbed within existing appropriations. Implementation of the Proposed Policy with the components recommended by the Human Relations Commission, including outreach, education, training, enforcement, and restorative justice programs, is estimated to be approximately $140,000 annually. This cost is not currently budgeted and would require identification of a funding source. There is no local job impact associated with the recommended action.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
GEORGE CHAPJIAN
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER