TITLE
Recommendation to receive and file a report on Park Equity in the City of Long Beach. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On July 18, 2017, the City Council requested that the City Manager work with the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) and the Parks and Recreation Commission (Commission) and return to the City Council with a report that details the following:
· Overview of Citywide park programming (hours and funding expended in each park location).
· Basis of prioritization for programming in each area.
· Overview of current park programming participants based on zip code.
· Policies/processes that can be reviewed. Example: Outlining clear rules for Citywide park entertainment, so that it either includes each region of the City, or provides the funding in lieu of, for areas that did not receive the benefit of the Citywide park entertainment.
· Overall suggestions from PRM for more equitable programming, Citywide.
· A timeline for updating both the Open Space and Recreation Element of the General Plan and the Parks, Recreation and Marine Strategic Plan.
· A plan to incentivize the use of underutilized parks that do not over-burden community organizations. This plan should include, but not be limited to, free or reduced fees for groups planning events at underutilized parks, multi-year permits for annual events, and targeted promotion in the surrounding areas for classes offered at underutilized parks.
· A plan to waive park permit fees for organizations that are activating our parks in low programmed areas, and provide umbrella permits for annual community events vs. having community groups apply each and every year for the same event.
PRM staff and the Commission worked diligently to address the above items. On January 30, 2018, staff transmitted a memorandum that addressed in detail each of the items requested by the City Council (copy attached).
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda T. Vu and by Budget Management Officer Rhutu ...
Click here for full text