REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Al Zelinka, City Manager
VIA: Ashley Wysocki, Director of Community & Library Services
PREPARED BY: Ashley Wysocki, Director of Community & Library Services
Subject:
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Approve and execute a five-year Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Huntington Beach and Friends of the Shipley Nature Center
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Statement of Issue:
There is a need to approve a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Huntington Beach and Friends of Shipley Nature Center (FSNC) for the continued operation and improvement/restoration of the nature center.
Financial Impact:
No additional funding is required as a result of approval of this MOU. Funding in the amount of $40,000 is included in the Community and Library Services annual budget for repairs and maintenance to the nature center.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute and approve a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Huntington Beach and Friends of Shipley Nature Center.
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the amendment for the extension, and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
Due to budget reductions, the Nature Center was closed in 2001. The community started a grassroots movement and created the Friends of Shipley Nature Center (FSNC) which began working with the City to improve the nature center. On November 1, 2004, City Council approved a MOU with FSNC to operate, improve and restore the nature center per the Master Plan approved by City Council on April 5, 2004. On November 16, 2009 a five-year extension was approved (Amendment 1) with an additional five-year extension (Amendment 2) approved on November 17, 2014 through October 31, 2019.
The nature center is currently open under the leadership of FSNC and, with City approval, conducts workdays, fundraisers, and tours as well as restoring the nature center.
The MOU establishes areas of responsibility of the City and FSNC for the operation and maintenance of the center. Upon approval, the MOU will have a five-year term with an additional five-year term upon mutual consent of the parties.
The main points of the MOU include the City’s obligation to provide access to the facility for authorized FSNC activities; a staff liaison to interface with FSNC and, based on manpower and budgetary constraints, to assist with grant applications for joint funds for capital improvements and operational needs; in-house printing of up to 24,000 four-color ink pages per month for brochures and flyers; an annual walk-through to determine a work plan for maintenance and capital needs; tree trimming, irrigation, lake and building maintenance, capital improvements, maintaining the perimeter fence; providing facilities for meetings and events, depending on availability; and waiving permit fees wherever feasible.
In turn, the major obligations of the FSNC will be to maintain a 501(c)(3) non-profit status and liability insurance, with the City as an additional insured; perform maintenance of the facility including eradication of non-native plant species; implement additional planting and watering of trees; use fertilizer, pesticide, fungicide, and herbicide in compliance with all regulations; obtain all necessary permits for improvements to the site; sell items on site to support the FSNC; perform weekly janitorial services; and renovate the center based on the approved master plan.
Based on the outstanding efforts of the FSNC to operate, maintain, and improve the Shipley Nature Center over the years, staff recommends approval.
Environmental Status:
The master plan for renovation of Shipley Nature Center received a Notice of Exemption on August 18, 2004, from the County of Orange.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Infrastructure & Parks
Attachment(s):
1. Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Huntington Beach and Friends of the Shipley Nature Center.
2. Friends of the Shipley Nature Center PowerPoint.