Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: REGULAR AGENDA (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: Nor Cal Oaks Baseball and Softball License Agreement for Use of City Recreation Facilities
Date: May 09, 2023
Written by: Ashley Wilson, Recreation Manager
Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a motion authorizing the City Manager to execute a license agreement between the City of Cotati and Nor Cal Oaks for use of Cator Field and Putnam Park Baseball Fields.
Background
The City owns, operates, and maintains Cator Field and Putnam Park Baseball Field which include baseball fields, fencing, backstops, dugouts, bleachers, parking lots, restrooms, and a snack shack.
In February 2017, Cal Ripken Babe Ruth Baseball (Cal Ripken) entered into a five (5) year license agreement for field use, which required maintenance of the fields but did not propose or require improvements. At the end of the agreement term, Cal Ripken chose not to request to renew the license.
Nor Cal Oaks is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides free youth baseball and softball throughout Sonoma County. More information about Nor Cal Oaks can be found at norcaloaks.org.
After the agreement with Cal Ripken ended, Nor Cal Oaks approached the City and proposed to enter into a license agreement for use of Cator Field and Putnam Park Baseball Field. Looking for home fields for their teams, they believe Cotati would be a perfect location to make their home.
Given the central location and current open schedule, Nor Cal Oaks would like space to consistently hold their practices and games, rather than always needing to travel out of the area to play.
Under the proposed license agreement with Nor Cal Oaks, the fields would be utilized by youth ages 10-15, and are expected to be primarily from Sonoma County.
Analysis/Discussion
The proposed license agreement with Nor Cal Oaks is a 10 year license agreement, with the option for extensions if requested by Nor Cal Oaks and approved by the City. The license agreement with Nor Cal Oaks will be beneficial to the City, as the fields would be put to use with a youth recreational sport and reduce City maintenance costs of the baseball portions of Cator Field at Civic Center Park and Putnam Park. There are currently approximately 75 youth participating in the Nor Cal Oaks baseball and softball program with that number expected to jump to 140 by August.
Participation is expected to grow as word spreads throughout the area and they settle into a home base for practices and games.
Additionally, Nor Cal Oaks has proposed to make significant improvements to both fields, which would include new sod, dirt, fencing, sand, bleachers, and more.
Other potential benefits to the City include increased visitation, with potential for sales tax revenue and return guests.
City staff, in conjunction with Nor Cal Oaks, have developed a draft license agreement with terms that include Nor Cal Oaks paying for utilities associated with Putnam and Cator Field, including the snack shack and maintaining the fields, and the City maintaining the irrigation system and parking areas. The draft license agreement is attached.
Financial Considerations
Nor Cal Oaks has requested to make field improvements anticipated to cost $577,588, primarily in the first year of the agreement.
Additionally, Nor Cal Oaks has committed to providing the City with a $5,000 annual license fee for the duration of the 10 year agreement. This would be collected annually unless other arrangements are made in writing between the City and Nor Cal Oaks.
The anticipated impact on the budget will be positive, as Nor Cal Oaks will partner in facility maintenance and pay for utilities associated with the Cator Field Snack Shack and restrooms at Cator and Putnam Park.
Environmental Issues
This action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it is not a project which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment, pursuant to CEQA Guideline section 15378.
Attachments:
Nor Cal Oaks Baseball and Softball License Agreement - Cotati Baseball Fields (PDF)