1 STAFF REPORT
PARKS AND
RECREATION
DATE: August 23, 2022
TO: Justin Hess, City Manager
FROM: Marisa Garcia, Park, Recreation and Community Services Director BY: Diego Cevallos, Deputy Director – Parks, Recreation and Community Services
SUBJECT: Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Burbank Unified School District and the City of Burbank for the Cooperative Use of Pools
RECOMMENDATION
Approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Burbank Unified School District (District) and the City of Burbank (City) for the cooperative use of Pools.
BACKGROUND
The City and District have been jointly using each other’s facilities since the early 1970s.
The parties formalized the use of each other’s facilities through the execution of the first Joint Use Agreement in 1988. Over the years, the joint use agreements have been amended to revise the terms and include additional venue s. In the current j oint use agreement executed in 2008, the City and the District agreed that any future need for joint use of pools would be addressed in a separate agreement.
In 2008, the City and District executed a five -year MOU for the cooperative use of the pools. This MOU was prompted by the City’s multi-year replacement project of the Verdugo Aquatic Facility. The MOU enabled the City with the ability to further provide water safety classes and serve the community.
At the May 4, 2021 Joint Use Committee meeting, the City learned of the closure of both the Burbank High School ( BHS) and John Burroughs High School ( JBHS) swimming pools for emergency repairs. The repairs for JBHS swimming pool were limited in scope and the JBHS pool reopened on June 1, 2021. However, the BHS repairs require the pool remain closed through 202 4. The scope of repair s includes but are not limited to pool deck repair; replacement of pool boilers and filters; removal and replacement of diving platforms, timing systems, scoreboards, and spectator seating. As part of this renovation project the District also plans to comply with American s with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.
2 The closure of the BHS swimming pool impacts several robust high school athletic programs. These programs include a boys’ varsity and junior varsity water polo program with an estimated 40 student athletes that practice duri ng the fall semester and a girls’ varsity and junior varsity water polo program with an estimated 35 student athletes that practice during the winter season. BHS also offers a girls’ and boys’ swim team with over 60 participants during the spring season.
DISCUSSION
At the June 8, 2021 City Council and Burbank Unified School District joint meeting. staff provided a report on the District’s upcoming need for the use of the City’s pools. Further, it was noted that the City and District staff had initiated negotiations for an MOU to support the District’s ability in continuing to offer the full breadth of high school athletic programs through the completion of the pool renovations. Thereafter, on October 26, 2021, Council was provided a brief update on the MOU for the use of the cooperative use of pools. At that time Council continued to be in support of entering into a new agree ment with the District.
The City can accommodate BHS at the McCambridge Pool (MCP) during the school year, until repairs to the BHS pool are complete. MCP is a full -service aquatic facility that includes showers, locker -rooms, restrooms, and a 50 -meter by 22-yard pool tank. It is important to note that the high school programs will be on public property and will not have exclusive use of the facility , including the locker -rooms and restrooms . Adult supervision by District staff will be required. The Joint Use Committee will meet and review pool scheduling for subsequent years ahead of the start of each school year.
The term of the proposed MOU will be three years, with an opportunity for two, one-year extensions. It is the intent of both parties that the City allow the District use of the MCP until the District has reopened the BHS pool in early 2024. Additionally, should the City and the District decide that the joint use of pools provide a b enefit to the community, the City shall be allowed to submit a request for the use of the operational JBHS swimming pool and the BHS swimming pool once repairs are complete. Additionally, both the City and the District will pay a monthly user fee to reimb urse for actual costs and expenses related to the use as shown in Exhibit B of the MOU.
On July 21, 2022, the Burbank Unified School District Board approved the MOU between the Burbank Unified School District and the City of Burbank for the cooperative use of Pools.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact as a result of this report. As previously noted, the District will pay a monthly user fee to reimburse the City for actual costs and expenses related to their use.
CONCLUSION
The City and the District value the joint use partnership and see a clear opportunity to utilize the MOU to benefit over 130 athletes. The MCP provides a suitable venue to safely host the BHS programs as they condition and work towards achieving their athletic goals 3 and objectives. The City looks forward to working alongside District staff to continue the support of high school athletics.
ATTACHMENT
Attachment 1- Memorandum of Understanding