To: Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
From: Breyana Brant, Parks & Recreation Services Director
Prepared By: Katrina Gregory, Recreation Manager
TITLE:
Title
Recreational Facility Joint Use Agreement with Napa Valley Unified School District
LABEL
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommendation
Authorize the City Manager to execute a Joint Use Agreement with the Napa Valley Unified School District (NVUSD) for use of NVUSD-owned recreational facilities through June 30, 2027 at an annual amount of $230,000 for field maintenance (with annual consumer price index adjustments) and approximately $75,000 for facility use fees; and determine that the actions authorized by this item are exempt from CEQA.
Body
DISCUSSION:
City policy supports coordination with NVUSD and other agencies to meet park and recreation facility needs of City residents, as documented in the City’s 2024 General Plan, as well as the 2010 Parks & Facility Master Plan. These policies promote maximizing community financial resources, avoiding duplication of facilities, as well as providing equitable, nearby access to recreation facilities throughout the City.
In order to implement these policies, since 1988, the City has entered into a series of existing cooperative agreements (“Master Agreement”) with NVUSD, by which NVUSD authorizes the City to use NVUSD-owed recreational facilities at approximately 18 school sites, and the City uses these facilities to provide recreational opportunities to the community. Over a 30-year period, there were 11 addendums to the Master Agreement. The purpose of these addendums was to address site-specific projects such as one-time capital investments to develop new recreation facilities at school sites, as well as annual contributions to NVUSD for maintenance expenses related to sports fields.
In October 2019, City Council approved a new Joint Use Agreement which superseded and replaced the previously approved Master Agreement (and corresponding addendums) and authorized the City to rent NVUSD-owed recreational facilities through June 30, 2022. Under the 2019 Joint Use Agreement, the City compensated NVUSD $225,000 annually to cover the City’s proportionate share of NVUSD’s costs to maintain the sports fields at existing levels and to provide appropriate staffing for the community’s use of NVUSD’s recreation facilities. The agreement amount of $225,000 was based upon the original amount of $130,000 annually from the Master Agreement, originally agreed upon by the City and NVUSD in 2000, and adjusted to 2019 dollars based on CPI increases.
Additionally, to ensure equitable contributions for usage, under the 2019 Joint Use Agreement, City-operated programs agreed to rental fees and other associated fees to utilize NVUSD-owned sports fields, pools, gyms or other school facilities. The estimated rental fees are approximately $50,000 to $75,000 annually based upon usage. The Joint Use Agreement also enables NVUSD to utilize City-owned facilities at the Council approved rates established in the fee schedule. Community user groups would continue to pay rental fees for their use of the NUVSD and City facilities directly. Under the proposed Joint Use Agreement, the City will retain first priority of NVUSD-owned facilities, after NVUSD school programs. In addition, NVUSD will continue to schedule use of the school facilities, provide the maintenance for all facilities and collect fees for all NVUSD rentals.
During the negotiations for the 2019 Joint Use Agreement, NVUSD expressed interest in concentrating its limited resources, due to declining enrollment, on its core priority which is providing quality education for the community. NVUSD has requested that the City consider playing a larger role as the recreation facility provider for the community during non-school hours and requested this be evaluated further before the next Joint Use Agreement.
For the proposed 2022-2027 Joint Use Agreement, the City and NVUSD have agreed to carry forward many of the terms that were existing in the 2019 agreement. The updates to the agreement include the following:
• Increasing the City’s annual contribution from $225,000 to $230,000 with annual consumer price index adjustments
• Extending the term of the agreement for 5 years, expiring in June 2027
• Encouraging use of City’s community parks turf areas (e.g. O’Brien Park, Kennedy Park, Century Oaks Park) for recreation soccer leagues for ages 10 and under.
During the next five years, the City will continue to evaluate the utilization of park spaces for youth recreation programs for both City-operated programs and community groups that utilize sports fields. In addition, the City will continue to utilize the NVUSD school amenities like swimming pools, gymnasiums and classroom spaces for City-operated programs.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
The FY2023-2025 proposed budget has anticipated the completion of the 2023-2027 Joint Use Agreement. The first payment of $230,000 will be in FY2023 and the additional payments have been budgeted $240,000 in FY2024 and $250,000 for FY2025 in 10050100-53410. The rental fees to use NVUSD facilities for approximately $50,000 to $75,000 annually is also budgeted for FY2024 and FY2025 in 10050100-53330.
CEQA:
City staff recommends that the City Council determine that the Recommended Action is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301, which exempts the operation, repair and maintenance of existing public facilities.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
ATCH 1 - Draft Joint Use Agreement between NVUSD and City of Napa 2023-2027
NOTIFICATION:
None