TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to accept grant credit from the U.S. Soccer Foundation, in an amount not to exceed $85,000, to be used for the resurfacing of two futsal courts at DeForest Park; and, execute the grant agreement and any documents necessary for the administration of the project.
(District 9)
DISCUSSION
The Los Angeles Galaxy Foundation (Foundation), in partnership with Herbalife and the U.S. Soccer Foundation, submitted a proposal to the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department (Department) to resurface two soccer mini-pitches at DeForest Park in Long Beach. This project is made possible through a generous contribution from the Foundation, a nonprofit corporation dedicated to supporting communities surrounding the team’s home. The Foundation provides soccer programming opportunities for athletes through volunteerism and education and facilitates more than 150 events per year. To date, the Foundation has invested more than $5 million in Los Angeles-area communities.
DeForest Park, located at 6255 DeForest Avenue, is a 16-acre park and wetlands in North Long Beach. The park features three futsal courts, a basketball court, and a tennis court. The proposed improvements will resurface two existing futsal courts with branded artwork representing the sponsors, Los Angeles Galaxy, U.S. Soccer Foundation, and Herbalife and will remain in place for at least a period of ten years. The scope of work will include removing existing sports tiles on one court, filling in cracks, asphalt repair, acrylic resurfacing, logos, and striping as shown in Attachment A. Two goals will be anchored into the ground with concrete footings at the end of each pitch. TD Sports, Inc., is the contractor that has been selected by the Foundation to complete the work at no cost to the City of Long Beach (City). DeForest Park has an existing Vision Plan, and the proposed improvements are consistent with the Vision Plan, as well as the Department’s Strategic Plan goal of building innovating and lasting partnerships that leverage supplemental funding and programs for development.
On November 17, 2022, the Parks and Recreation Commission approved a Right of Entry Permit to TD Sports, Inc., to resurface the two futsal courts. In addition to the Right of Entry Permit, the City is required to enter into a donation agreement with the U.S. Soccer Foundation as part of the arrangement. The U.S. Soccer Foundation has a previous history of partnering with the City and was the entity originally responsible for converting two underutilized tennis courts into futsal courts through a grant. That donation agreement was approved by the City Council on March 12, 2013.
This new donation agreement provides the Foundation use of the mini-pitches for one day per year for the first five years after completion for special events such as tournaments, clinics, training sessions and media functions. In addition, the agreement requires that the City provide annual impact reports over the same period with data and photos related to the courts’ usage.
The project is anticipated to start in January 2023 and will take approximately two weeks to complete. Once the project is completed, the courts will be returned to the Department with no further obligation by project sponsors to repair or maintain the courts.
This matter was reviewed by the Deputy City Attorney Anita Lakhani on December 22, 2022 and Budget Analysis Officer Greg Sorensen on December 21, 2022.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on January 17, 2023, to allow the timely execution of the grant agreement in coordination with the construction timeline. Due to the Los Angeles Galaxy Foundation’s deadlines, the work will begin in late January as authorized by the Right of Entry Permit. The requested action formalizes and records the donation agreement with the U.S. Soccer Foundation.
FISCAL IMPACT
Upon completion of the project, ongoing field maintenance, including replacing goal posts and nets, will be the responsibility of the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department. The cost is unknown at this time and is currently unbudgeted. The Parks, Recreation and Marine Department anticipates using potential department savings to fund this cost. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. The recommended action will result in a positive impact on jobs, although the exact number is unknown at this time.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
[Enter Body Here]
Respectfully Submitted,
BRENT DENNIS
DIRECTOR
PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
CITY MANAGER