1 Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Agency
www.santa-ana.org/parks
Item # 16
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
November 19, 2024
TOPIC: Agreement for Thornton Park Park Host
AGENDA TITLE
Agreement for Park Host, Volunteer Acknowledgment, Release of Liability, Indemnity Agreement, and Waiver for Thornton Park Park Host
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Approve an agreement with Thornton Park park host to complete the pilot Park Host Volunteer Pilot Program by December 31, 2025 (Agreement No. A-2024-XXX).
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: Yes
DISCUSSION
On May 16, 2022, the City launched a Park Host Volunteer Pilot Program through an agreement with Katie Rivero. This initiative enhanced safety and community engagement at Thornton Park by establishing a consistent, on-site presence. Under the terms of the pilot program, Ms. Rivero was authorized to reside at the park in a recreational vehicle, providing the City with daily reports, addressing atypical situations, identifying maintenance needs through the MySantaAna App, and engaging directly with park visitors during her daily rounds.
Originally set to conclude on May 16, 2024, or upon termination by the City, the pilot program's effectiveness, as shown in the Thornton Park Host Report (Exhibit 3), led to the determination that a continued presence of the Thornton Park Host would be beneficial, resulting in an extension of the role through December 31, 2025. The renewed agreement reaffirms the Park Host’s responsibilities, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a welcoming and secure environment at Thornton Park, while continuing to provide a direct line of communication and support to the community.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The recommended action is exempt from further environmental analysis pursuant to Section 15301 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines (Class 1 exemption – Existing Facilities). Class 1 exemptions consist of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. The types of “existing facilities”
Agreement for Thornton Park Park Host
November 19, 2024
2 4
6 4
6 itemized in the CEQA Guidelines (page 307) are not intended to be all-inclusive of the types of projects which might fall within Class 1. The key consideration is whether the project involves negligible or no expansion of use.
The recommended action is to approve a Park Host agreement to occupy an existing structure, served by existing utilities in an urbanized area, which does not result in any new direct, indirect, or foreseeable physical impacts to the environment. The structure meets the qualifications of an “existing facility,” and the recommended action is therefore exempt pursuant to Section 15301 of the CEQA Guidelines. A notice of exemption will be filed for the Project.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost to the City for utilities is estimated to be approximately $500 per month (Electricity $250, Gas $50, Water/Sewer $200), which has a minimal fiscal impact and will be absorbed in the Public Works Agency’s Park Maintenance Utilities account budget (account no. 01117651-62000).
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Initial Park Host Volunteer Agreement
2. Park Host Volunteer Acknowledgement, Indemnity Agreement and Release of Liability
3. Thornton Park Host Report
4. Thornton Park FY 22 vs FY 23 Police Activity
5. Thornton Park Host Report FY 2021-22 and FY 2022-23
Submitted By: Hawk V. Scott, Executive Director of Parks, Recreation, and Community Services
Approved By: Alvaro Nuñez, City Manager