DEPARTMENT: Parks & Recreation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Xavier D. Urrutia
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 2
SUBJECT:
Funding Agreement with Eastside Christian Action Group
SUMMARY:
This Ordinance authorizes execution of a Funding Agreement with Eastside Christian Action Group (ECAG) in the amount of $25,000.00 to support operations and management of Wheatley Heights Sports Complex, located at Martin Luther King Park in Council District 2. The $25,000.00 was part of the $75,000.00 Midnight Basketball program which was included as part of the FY 2017 Budget Amendments.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Bexar County Venue Tax Program (BCVTP) was approved by voters in 2008 and provided funding for various amateur sports organizations to develop or expand sports complexes to serve local teams and enhance tourism. Eastside Christian Action Group (ECAG) was selected by Bexar County to receive $7,500,000.00 from the venue tax for the development of a sports complex. ECAG then entered into a License Agreement with the City to develop, operate, and maintain the Wheatley Heights Sports Complex (WHSC) which is situated on approximately 170 acres in Martin Luther King Park and in the Wheatley Heights area.
The Wheatley Heights Sports Complex now features amenities such as an eight lane running track, stadium seating, football field, and a parking lot. This Funding Agreement in the amount of $25,000.00 will allow the City to assist ECAG with its support for operations, maintenance and management services at the facility. Under terms of this agreement, allowable expenses include support for its management contractor, Standard of Athletics. As part of the Adopted FY 2017 Budget Amendment process, funding in the amount of $75,000.00 was approved to support Midnight Basketball program summer activities in Council District 2. This action redirects $25,000.00 from Midnight Basketball and the program will move forward at the adjusted budget and will provide for 32 teams, which represents a reduction of 20 teams, competing at four locations (Davis-Scott and Walzem YMCAs, Eastside Boys and Girls Club, and Copernicus Community Center) for six weeks during the summer. The league will provide uniform jerseys for the 320 estimated participants and will include regular season games and play-offs at each site.
ISSUE:
This ordinance will authorize a Funding Agreement with ECAG for $25,000.00 to support operations and management services of Wheatley Heights Sports Complex, located at Martin Luther King Park in Council District 2; and redirects $25,000.00 from the FY 2017 Midnight Basketball program.
ALTERNATIVES:
This Funding Agreement continues the City’s efforts of investment in the Wheatley Heights Sports Complex through its support of ECAG. This facility serves as an opportunity to provide recreational opportunities for the community. An alternative, should the City not authorize this Funding Agreement, would require ECAG to seek alternative funding options to maintain and operate the facility.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This action redirects $25,000.00 of the FY 2017 Parks and Recreation General Fund budget from the Midnight Basketball program to support a Funding Agreement with the Eastside Christian Action Group (ECAG). The $25,000.00 was a part of the FY 2017 Budget Amendment which awarded $75,000.00 to the Midnight Basketball program.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this Funding Agreement for $25,000.00 with Eastside Christian Action Group for the operations and management of the Wheatley Heights Sports Complex by redirecting funding allocated in FY 2017 for the Midnight Basketball Program.