Agenda Item #13.7
For Council Meeting of: June 3, 2025
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JASON NUTT, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT WITH RINCON VALLEY UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF RECREATIONAL AREA AGENDA ACTION: RESOLUTION
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended by the Recreation and Parks Department that the Council, by resolution: 1) approve the First Amendment to the Joint Powers Agreement for Development and Use of Recreational Area with the Rincon Valley Union School District; and 2) authorize the City Manager, or their designee, to execute the First Amendment and any related documents necessary to implement the terms of the Agreement, subject to approval as to form by the City Attorney.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Rincon Valley Union School District (RVUSD) and the City of Santa Rosa have jointly managed a 7-acre recreational site in the Skyhawk Subdivision since 1996. To enhance safety for students, RVUSD requests the right to install a perimeter fence around the Lower Meadow during school hours. The proposed First Amendment to the Joint Powers Agreement grants that right, at the District’s cost, while preserving public access on weekends and outside school hours.
BACKGROUND
On January 30, 1996, the City of Santa Rosa and the RVUSD entered into a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) to jointly develop and use portions of a 7-acre recreational site located within the Skyhawk Subdivision. The JPA was created to maximize the utility of public resources by allowing both the City and the District to use and maintain the property for recreational and educational purposes.
Under the terms of the original agreement, the site was divided into Joint Use Areas, including a playground, parking lot, lower play meadow, and upper play meadow. These areas were to be used and maintained cooperatively by both parties, with the City providing public access and programming outside of school hours, and the District using the areas for student-related activities during the school day.
The JPA has allowed for over two decades of shared benefit and access, supporting both the City’s recreational goals and the District’s educational mission. However, as safety and security standards for school facilities have evolved, the District has identified a need to better control access to the lower play meadow during school hours.
The First Amendment will address that need while preserving the public benefit of the original agreement by ensuring access outside of school hours.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL REVIEW
On January 30, 1996, the City Council, by Resolution No. 22555, approved the JPA for the development and use of a recreation area with the Rincon Valley School District.
ANALYSIS
The proposed First Amendment to the Joint Powers Agreement addresses evolving student safety concerns by permitting the Rincon Valley Union School District to enclose the Lower Meadow with a fence, restricting access during school hours. This modification aligns with current best practices for school site security, which emphasize limited, controlled access to student areas during instructional time.
The amendment preserves the intent of the original agreement by continuing to support shared use of the recreational site. Public access to the Lower Meadow will remain available during weekends and non-school hours, and the City will retain full use of the other Joint Use Areas under the terms of the 1996 agreement. To ensure continued collaboration, the design and placement of the proposed fence and gates are subject to City review and approval, which will not be unreasonably withheld.
Operationally, the District will assume full responsibility for the cost, installation, maintenance, and operation of the fence and gates, including ensuring access is managed appropriately.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the general fund for this item.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The Council finds that the proposed action is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under section 15061(b)(3) and 15378 in that there is no possibility that the implementation of this action may have significant effects on the environment, and that no further environmental review is required, and Categorically exempt from CEQA under Section 15301 (Existing Facilities)—minor alterations to public facilities with negligible expansion of use.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Not applicable.
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 – Resolution No. 22555
Resolution / Exhibit A - First Amendment to Joint Powers Agreement
PRESENTER
Jill Scott, Real Estate Manager
APPROVAL OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT WITH RINCON VALLEY UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF RECREATIONAL AREA PAGE 3 OF 3