DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Xavier D. Urrutia
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council District 2
SUBJECT:
Amendment to License Agreement with Eastside Christian Action Group
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes the execution of an amendment to License Agreement with the Eastside Christian Action Group (ECAG) until July 10, 2015, for the continued use and operation of Wheatley Heights Sports Complex located in Martin Luther King Park and the Wheatley Heights flood buyout property in Council District 2. This agreement also incorporates changes to the reporting requirements to reflect current City and County reporting practices. [Gloria Hurtado, Assistant City Manager; Xavier D. Urrutia, Director, Parks & Recreation]
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
In 2008, voters approved a Bexar County Venue Tax Program that provided funding in support of amateur sports for the development and expansion of sports complexes to serve local teams and enhance tourism. In instances where these projects are located on City of San Antonio owned land, the City entered into license agreements with facility operators for use of the land. Under the terms of these agreements, the facility operators assumed responsibility for the daily operations and maintenance of the complexes in lieu of rent to the City. ECAG was a venue tax recipient and developed the Wheatley Heights Sports Complex including a football field, nine lane running track, stadium setting, amphitheater, and soccer fields.
Construction of the Wheatley Heights sports complex at Martin Luther King Park was complete in 2012 and has been serving the community by providing a venue for youth recreation over the past couple of years. To assist ECAG with marketing the sports complex and booking events, the City executed a funding agreement in the amount of $570,000.00 spanning two fiscal years which expired on September 30, 2013. As ECAG transitioned from construction to operations, this start up funding allowed them to extend facility use to over 20,000 youth sports participants and spectators in 2013.
The primary term of this License Agreement ends on July 10, 2014. Amendment No. 1 to the License Agreement will allow for the renewal of the current agreement for one year until July 10, 2015. In addition, the amendment facilitates changes to the reporting requirements to reflect current City and County reporting practices
ISSUE:
This Ordinance will authorize Amendment No. 1 to the License Agreement with ECAG and extend the term until July 10, 2015. The Agreement also incorporates changes to the reporting requirements to reflect current City and County reporting practices.
ALTERNATIVES:
This License Agreement will allow priority use of the sports complex in return for maintenance, thus continuing the existing care arrangement for the fields and amenities. An alternative would be for the City not to authorize this Amendment and enter into an agreement with another sports organization to manage and operate the complex or place the fields on the reservation system.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Under the terms of the License Agreement, ECAG will continue the use of the sports complex at no charge. There is no General Fund impact associated with this action.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of Amendment No. 1 to the License Agreement with Eastside Christian Action Group.