TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and any subsequent amendments, with the Trustees of the California State University, on behalf of the California State University, Long Beach, for the Student Field Placement Program, to allow for the placement of students in internships and experiential learning projects in the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department, for a term of five years, from September 1, 2019 through August 31, 2024. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
In the FY 19 Adopted Budget, the City Council established a Park Planning and Partnerships Bureau (Bureau) in the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department (PRM). The new Bureau consolidated several existing divisions to allow PRM to pursue more community sponsorships, partnerships, and grants, and develop a strategic plan for the ongoing funding and sustainability of park programs.
Staff is proposing to enter into a partnership with California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), to allow CSULB students to be placed in internship opportunities with PRM. This partnership will create meaningful experiential learning opportunities for CSULB students where they can apply traditional academic classroom learning with a local governmental agency to develop professional skills in a real-world work environment.
To place the students, CSULB requires that partners like PRM complete the CSULB Student Field Placement Agreement, which outlines mutual responsibilities for both PRM and CSULB to ensure the partnership’s goals are met. Currently, PRM has similar internship agreements with California State University, Dominguez Hills, and California State University, Fullerton.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Arturo D. Sanchez on June 5, 2019 and by Revenue Management Officer Geraldine Alejo on June 12, 2019.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on July 2, 2019, to allow the agreement to be executed and implemented in time for the CSULB Fall 2019 semester.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this recommendation. Indirect costs associated with the proposed partnership may include the cost of intern supervision and other program support, which will be absorbed within the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department annual budget. It is anticipated that this partnership will provide mutually valuable services at relative low-cost to the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department, including an important investment in workforce development providing opportunities for college students to gain valuable work experience. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. While the exact local job impact is unknown at this time, it is anticipated that there may be a temporary positive job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
GERARDO MOUET
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER