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 in costs for the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department to provide staffing and other services to conduct a ten-week summer swim program at Belmont Plaza Temporary Pool, Silverado Pool, Cabrillo High School Pool, Jordan High School Pool, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Pool, from June 17, 2019 through August 25, 2019; 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 Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) to conduct a ten-week summer swim program (Program) at Belmont Plaza Temporary, Silverado, Cabrillo High School, Jordan High School, and Martin Luther King, Jr. Pools, to help youth, ages 17 and under, to develop their swimming and water safety skills.
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 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: Ten weeks, from June 17, 2019 through August 25, 2019.
• 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 16, 2019 and by Budget Management Officer Rhutu Amin Gharib on April 25, 2019.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on May 14, 2019, 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 be an amount not to exceed $70,000. Of that amount, $20,000 will be used to subsidize youth swim fees typically collected during the summer. An appropriation increase of $40,834 in the General Fund Group, and $9,166 in the Tidelands Operating Fund Group in the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department (34), is requested. These amounts will cover the costs for staff, materials, and supplies to operate the Program. The requested action is not expected to require additional staff hours beyond those provided by this Program, and is consistent with City Council priorities. All Program costs will be reimbursed by LBUSD. The recommended action will result in a positive impact on jobs. Six temporary seasonal jobs will be created to conduct the Program.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
GERARDO MOUET
DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER