TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all documents necessary to enter into an agreement with the Long Beach Unified School District of Los Angeles County, to allow the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine to provide staffing and other services to conduct a summer swim program at the Cabrillo High School pool for a term of one year, with five one-year renewal options at the discretion of the City Manager, or his designee; and
Increase appropriations in the General Fund (GF) in the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department (PR) by $22,402. (District 7)
DISCUSSION
Knowing how to swim prevents drowning and improves Long Beach residents’ overall health, fitness, and safety. Statistics show that ten people drown every day in the United States. Moreover, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional death for children under the age of 14. It has been found that participation in formal swimming lessons could reduce the likelihood of childhood drowning by 88 percent. Furthermore, accessibility to swimming lessons is almost nonexistent in underserved neighborhoods in Long Beach, similar to those near the Cabrillo High School pool (Pool). The USA Swimming Foundation’s Make A Splash initiative has found that 70 percent of African- American children, 60 percent of Latino children, and 40 percent of Caucasian children cannot swim.
The proposed agreement between the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) will help swimmers of all ages and abilities develop their swimming and water safety skills.
The proposed agreement contains the following major provisions:
• Term: One year. The ten-week Program will begin retroactively to June 22, 2015, and continue through August 28, 2015.
• Renewal Options: Five one-year renewal options at the discretion of the City Manager or his designee.
• Staffing: PRM will utilize four lifeguards and one senior lifeguard to staff the Program.
• Weekly Schedule: Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Program Costs: All costs incurred by PRM to staff and run the Program will be reimbursed by LBUSD.
Five levels of swim lessons will be taught in the Program, each consisting of a two-week session. Swim lessons will be available to youth from infancy to age 17, and recreational swim will be open to all age groups, including adults.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Kendra L. Carney on June 11, 2015, and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on June 17, 2015.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on July 7, 2015, in order to enable the retroactive execution of the proposed agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total Program expenditure is estimated at $22,402, and this cost is not budgeted. An appropriation increase of $22,402 in the General Fund (GF) in the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department (PR) is requested in the recommended action. All Program costs will be reimbursed by the Long Beach Unified School District. The recommended action will result in a positive impact on jobs. Five temporary seasonal jobs will be created to conduct the Program.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
STEPHEN P. SCOTT
INTERIM DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER