DEPARTMENT: Parks & Recreation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Xavier D. Urrutia
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 4
SUBJECT:
Amendment to License Agreement with SPORTi at Pearsall Park
SUMMARY:
This Ordinance authorizes the execution of Amendment #1 to the license agreement with SPORTi for a 10-year term extension to commence upon completion of soccer field improvements at Pearsall Park located in Council District 4; no City funds are associated with this action.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Pearsall Park was dedicated as parkland in 1999 and sits upon a former landfill. Since then, through land acquisitions, the park has grown to 500 acres. The 2012 Bond Program appropriated $7.5 million for improvements to Pearsall Park consistent with the park’s master plan and input from the community which include amenities such as Family Fun and Fitness Challenge Zones, pavilions, a new playground facility, splash-pad, and skate-park. Since Pearsall Park’s opening to the public in June 2016, it has quickly transformed into a regional destination.
In December 2015, City Council approved a sports license agreement that allowed the Parks and Recreation Department to partner with SPORTi in their development, operation, and maintenance of soccer fields at Pearsall Park which will serve youth and adults and those with special needs on a weekly basis. Continued development of new park improvements to include partnerships with groups such as SPORTi, will allow for an increase in the types of amenities and programs that are available to the community. Specifically, SPORTi’s license agreement allows for installation of lighting, irrigation, and spectator seating to existing soccer fields at no cost to the City. SPORTi has secured the required Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) site work permits and completion of soccer field improvements is projected in April 2017.
The license agreement with SPORTi is being amended in order to accommodate the revised construction schedule and the term of the agreement will be extended from a three (3) year term with one-year administrative renewal options to a ten (10) year term to commence immediately upon completion of soccer field improvements. This term extension of SPORTi’s license agreement will facilitate SPORTi’s compliance with Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) operating standards.
ISSUE:
SPORTi’s development concept to improve and activate the existing soccer fields at the park was evaluated by the Department and determined to provide public benefit through further improvements and enhanced service delivery at Pearsall Park without any monetary assistance from the City. The initial license agreement was approved by City Council in December 2015. This action allows the original term to be extended to 10-years which is in compliance with FIFA League standards and supports the current project schedule. SPORTi will begin operations and provide programming beginning in late Spring 2017.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City could elect not to approve the amendment to license agreement with SPORTi which would pose a serious challenge to the project moving forward; thus, foregoing the opportunity to improve and program these park amenities at no cost to the City. The City could also elect to identify funds for improvements and activation of the parkland in the future.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This action has no General Fund impact and as part of the license agreement SPORTi has full responsibility for improvement and operational costs of the premises including maintenance resulting in cost avoidance to the City such as mowing services.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of Amendment #1 to extend the term of the license agreement with SPORTi for soccer fields at Pearsall Park located in Council District 4 for 10-years; no City funds are associated with this action.