TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an agreement, and any subsequent amendments, with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, to accept and expend grant funding in an amount not to exceed $6,076, for the 2019 Dodgers Reviving Baseball In Inner Cities Program (RBI Program), including the acceptance of funding for park field maintenance and umpire fees, along with in-kind contributions, for youth baseball and softball for the 2019 summer season; and
Increase appropriations in the General Fund (GF) in the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department (PR) by $6,076, offset by grant revenue. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
City Council approval is requested for the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department (Department) to enter into an agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF), to accept and expend grant funding for the 2019 Dodgers RBI Program. The RBI Program is a baseball and softball youth development program that simultaneously aims to increase participation in the sports, and use sport participation as an engagement tool to increase access to education, literacy, health, wellness, and recreational resources in some of the most underserved communities in the Los Angeles area.
In 2018, the Department applied for and was awarded grant funding in the amount of $5,356, as well as in-kind contributions, from LADF, through their Dodgers Reviving Baseball In Inner Cities program (RBI Program). The grant funding assisted the Department in providing baseball and softball programs to approximately 744 Long Beach youth, ages 5 through 8, during the 2018 summer season. The 2018 RBI Program was a success.
For the 2019 summer season, LADF has awarded the Department grant funding in the amount of $6,076, along with in-kind contributions, to support 816 softball and baseball players. The grant funding will once again provide for park field maintenance costs and umpire fees in support of the Department’s Youth Sport Program. LADF grant funds complement their in-kind contributions of uniforms, equipment, recruitment flyers, location banners, educational and health resources, coach training, youth clinics, incentives and giveaways, and Dodger tickets. The RBI Program is bigger than just playing baseball and sets its focus on youth character development as it engages communities and families in programming. In addition, it impacts youth and families across all three of LADF's pillars, i.e., Sports + Recreation, Education + Literacy, and Health + Wellness.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda T. Vu on January 28, 2019 and by Budget Management Officer Rhutu Amin Gharib on February 6, 2019.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on March 5, 2019, to enter into the agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation in a timely manner.
FISCAL IMPACT
The grant award from the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation for the 2019 Dodgers RBI Program is currently unbudgeted. Therefore, an appropriation increase is requested in the amount of $6,076 in the General Fund (GF) in the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department (PR). Grant revenues will offset the expense appropriation, and the grant does not require matching funds. The recommended action will result in a positive impact on jobs, although the exact number is unknown at this time.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
GERARDO MOUET
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER