Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute Two Use Agreements with the Alameda Soccer Club for the Alameda Point Soccer Fields on Lexington Street for a Term of Ten Years with an Option to Extend the Term for Ten More Years and the Hornet Soccer Field for a Term of Five Years, Subject to the City’s Right to Terminate the Agreement at Its Discretion; and
Adoption of Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into Use Agreements with the Alameda Soccer Club for the Alameda Point Field and the Hornet Field at Enterprise Park. (Recreation and Parks 280)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Since 2012, the City of Alameda (City) has partnered with the Alameda Soccer Club (ASC) to operate and maintain the four soccer fields at Alameda Point field (AP field) and the Hornet field at Enterprise Park. This is a successful collaboration in which ASC maintains and improves the fields at no cost to the City and provides soccer leagues, clinics and camps for hundreds of youth each year. ASC requested a longer agreement term to provide opportunities for grant and donor funding to invest in significant capital improvements at the AP field. The proposed AP Field agreement has a 10-year term with an option for an additional 10 years. Because the Hornet Field is within public trust lands, City Council must make certain findings in order to approve the Use Agreement for that field, the term of the Agreement is limited to five years, and the City retains the right to terminate the Agreement at its discretion.
BACKGROUND
The City collaborates with ASC on its fields to provide soccer opportunities to Alameda youth. The City currently has two leases with ASC for the use, operation and maintenance of the AP Fields and Hornet Field in Enterprise Park. This has been a successful partnership that allows ASC to use these fields for hundreds of youth participants while also eliminating the City’s financial burden to maintain and improve these fields.
The AP Field Agreement was executed on January 1, 2016 and on November 15, 2016, the City Council authorized an amendment to the Hornet Field Agreement to include the operation and maintenance of the adjacent tennis courts to repurpose them into new soccer and futsal fields.
With the AP Field Agreement expiring and the Hornet Field Agreement due to expire next year, ASC representatives requested new agreements for both so they are on the same expiration timeframe. ASC also requested longer term agreements as it is very interested in making capital investment into the Alameda Point Fields.
DISCUSSION
These Use Agreements require ASC to maintain the fields at its sole expense. This includes, but is not limited to, mowing and fertilizing the natural turf field, collecting and disposing of refuse, cleanup of the field, maintaining the irrigation system, lining of the fields, as well as setting up and taking down all soccer games and practices. ASC will be responsible for paying all costs for services and utilities to the Use Area, as shown on Exhibit A of the each of the Use Agreements, which generally includes the soccer fields and, specific to the Hornet Field, also includes the repurposed tennis courts and asphalt area in front of those courts for a storage container.
The allowed field uses include soccer practice, competitions, camps and fundraising activities from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m., seven days a week. The City retains the right to use the fields for various public recreational programs.
The longer proposed 10-year term with a 10-year option for the Lexington Fields would help ASC become eligible for US Soccer grants and State Park funding for physical improvements to the fields. This term length also bolsters fundraising efforts for improvements since donors have assurance that their funds support infrastructure that benefits youth playing soccer at those fields for years to come. These projects are intended to improve the community experience at the fields, create maintenance efficiencies and improve overall sustainability. Projects that ASC is considering include installing appropriate, in-ground irrigation, replacing some fields with synthetic turf for extended use during the wet winter months, installing a permanent fence with better entrances/exits for improved safety and security, planting landscaping, and possibly constructing a restroom or secured storage. All of these improvements would be made in conjunction with the City and the use agreement requires ASC to secure all appropriate permits.
The agreement for the AP Field is a Use Agreement and therefore is not subject to the procedures under the Surplus Lands Act.
The Hornet Field is also not subject to the Surplus Lands Act because it is public trust lands. Because, however, the Field is within public trust lands, the property is limited to uses consistent with public trust uses unless the City Council makes certain findings. Because an athletic field or playground is considered a use non-compliant with public trust uses, City Council must make those findings. These are set forth in the attached resolution and include that there is no immediate trust related need for the property and the proposed use is for no longer than five years. To ensure those findings, the Use Agreement for the Hornet Field has a maximum term of five years and the City has the right to terminate the Use Agreement at any time. ASC has agreed to these (and all other) terms in the Agreement.
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may:
• Adopt a resolution to authorize the City Manager to execute both Use Agreements as presented;
• Adopt a resolution to authorize the City Manager to execute either the Hornet Field Use Agreement or Alameda Point Field Use Agreement;
• Adopt a resolution to authorize the City Manager to execute both or either Use Agreements but reduce the term length of the Lexington Field Use Agreement; or
• Not adopt a resolution to approve either agreement.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no anticipated financial impact, with all field maintenance expenses and improvements paid by the Alameda Soccer Club.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action does not affect the Alameda Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to Section 15301 of CEQA Guidelines (Operation of Existing Facilities).
CLIMATE IMPACTS
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution to authorize the City Manager to execute Use Agreements with the Alameda Soccer Club for use of the Alameda Point Soccer Fields for a term of ten years with an option for an additional ten years and for the use of the Hornet Soccer Field for a term of five years, subject to the right of the City to terminate the Use Agreement at its discretion.
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager recommends adoption of the Use Agreements.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy Wooldridge, Recreation and Parks Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Annie To, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Alameda Point Field Use Agreement
2. Hornet Field Use Agreement
cc: Eric Levitt, City Manager