DATE: May 21, 2024
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Director of Maintenance Services
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute a Memorandum of Understanding with the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District for Operations and Maintenance of Certain Landscape and Lighting Assessment District Parks
RECOMMENDATION
That the Council adopts a resolution (Attachment II), authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) (Attachment III) with the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District (HARD) for operations and maintenance of certain Landscape and Lighting Assessment District (LLAD) Parks.
SUMMARY
The City and HARD first entered into a MOU in 2016 for Twin Bridges Park (LLAD 7), Gordon E. Oliver Eden Shores Park (LLAD 10), and Alden E. Sports Park (LLAD 12). Through the agreement, HARD assumes the responsibility of operating and maintaining the park sites per an agreed-upon annual maintenance cost funded from the respective LLAD budgets. The current MOU was due to expire on June 30, 2023 but was extended for one year through June 30, 2024 while a successor agreement was developed. The City and HARD staff worked collaboratively to outline the terms and mutually agreed upon maintenance standards that comprise a new five-year MOU. Staff is requesting the approval to enter into the new MOU effective July 1, 2024.
BACKGROUND AND DISUCSSION
On January 8, 2016, the City and HARD entered into a MOU for the operations and maintenance standards of parks in three LLADs: Twin Bridges (LLAD 7), Gordon E. Oliver Eden Shores Park (LLAD 10), and Alden E. Sports Park (LLAD 12). The MOU was valid for five years with options to renew that ultimately expired on June 30, 2023. On August 15, 2023, Council adopted Reso. 23-209 authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute an amendment to the MOU for one-year and include SoHay Park (LLAD 18), which was accepted by both the City and HARD in April 2022.
Since then, City and HARD staff expressed a desire and commitment to work collaboratively to implement the shared vision of providing Hayward residents with the opportunity to participate in quality recreational activities and access to high-quality neighborhood parks and open spaces. The City and HARD acknowledge the benefits of extending their working relationship to provide equitable services throughout the City. On May 20, 2024, the HARD Board authorized the execution of a new five-year MOU, with options to extend, effective July 1, 2024. City staff is now requesting the authorization to also enter into the new MOU.
FISCAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT
This item has no impact on the General Fund. Upon Council approval, the annual LLAD Budget Process will adopt the required maintenance and utility budgets for each park through the life of the MOU. Thie Council hearings for the annual LLAD budget process occur in June.
This item has no direct economic impact. However, high-quality park maintenance provides a positive economic impact to the City by sustaining an overall environmentally-friendly aesthetic that helps reduce the effects of greenhouse gasses, fire hazards, and blight. It also helps increase property value and provides safe open spaces for recreation and physical activity.
STRATEGIC ROADMAP AND SUSTAINABILITY FEATURES
This item is a routine operational item and does not directly support Council’s Strategic Priorities or has significant sustainability features.
NEXT STEPS
If Council approves this item, the City Manager will negotiate and execute a new five-year MOU with HARD, effective July 1, 2024.
Prepared by: Manny Grewal, Management Analyst
Recommended by: Todd Rullman, Director of Maintenance Services Approved by:
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Dustin Claussen, Interim City Manager