REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Travis Hopkins, City Manager
VIA: Ashley Wysocki, Director of Community & Library Services
PREPARED BY: Chris Cole, Community & Library Services Manager
Subject:
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Approve and authorize execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Premier Girls Fastpitch, Inc. for the use of Huntington Beach Facilities
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Statement of Issue:
In 2010, Premier Girls Fastpitch, Inc (PGF) began holding their championship tournament in Huntington Beach at the Huntington Central Park Sports Complex. In 2013, the City Council approved a three-year contract with PGF to allow for future planning. In 2014, a new agreement was executed allowing PGF to host a championship event through 2019. Since 2020, PGF has been issued a Facility Use Permit to host the annual championship event. Due to the increased popularity of Girls Fastpitch locally and nationally, there is a need to approve a MOU with PGF to allow for continued operation of championship tournaments.
Financial Impact:
Not applicable.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Approve and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the “Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Huntington Beach and Premier Girls Fastpitch, Inc for the Use of Huntington Beach Facilities.”
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the recommended action and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
The City of Huntington Beach has hosted a one-week PGF Championship Tournament since 2010. The mission of PGF is to provide a national platform on which fastpitch softball players can demonstrate their individual and team-enhancing skills, competing against the “Best of the Best” players and teams. The event includes a variety of games at the Huntington Central Park Sports Complex, showcasing our beautiful sports facility and providing an opportunity for families to spend time together.
PGF management approached the City of Huntington Beach to expand the tournament into a two-week event in 2013. This additional week of games allowed PGF to attract additional 16U & 14U Divisions and provided additional game opportunities for the 18U/HS players. The two weeks of games showcased players’ skills at the highest possible level of competition, and both players and college scouts from around the country were invited to Huntington Beach. Previous tournaments have attracted thousands of players and their families from 25 states.
Due to increased popularity of Girls Fastpitch locally and nationally, there is now a need to approve a MOU with PGF to continue to operate an “exclusive” championship tournament in Huntington Beach. PGF management is requesting a MOU with the City to allow them to plan for future events and solicit sponsors who need assurance that this exclusive championship event will continue to be operated in Huntington Beach for the foreseeable future. The proposed MOU is intended to provide that assurance through 2030.
The success of the PGF Championship Tournament is important in identifying the City of Huntington Beach as a prime destination for Sports Tourism. Due to the City’s easy access, consistent and fair weather, the prestige of our surf culture, our capability to accommodate large tournaments and the authenticity that comes with the title “Surf City USA”, participants are likely to return year after year bringing more revenue to the hotels, restaurants, and local businesses.
Obligations of the City:
• Provide a location for the Tournament each year during the term of this MOU
• Provide PGF with the exclusive rights to present, conduct, promote/market, operate, and manage the only Girls Fastpitch National Championship Tournament to be held in June, July and August of each year during the duration of the MOU
• Allow PGF to conduct the Tournament on dates agreed upon by both Parties and the Sports Complex Operator
• Allow PGF the exclusive right to select and hire any and all necessary subcontractors for the Tournament
• Reserves the right to cancel any Tournament due to natural disaster, inclement weather, potential hazards, or damage to the fields
• Shall make certain that during the Tournament no other vendor, business, tents, structures, or events will be permitted within the Site, without PGF’s written approval
• Shall make every effort to notify PGF of any construction, road maintenance, or other activity planned on or adjacent to the Site that may inhibit or otherwise disrupt the use of the Site during the Tournament
Obligation by PGF:
• Shall work with the Sports Complex Operator on scheduling available dates for the Tournament Events
• PGF is restricted from giving away or selling consumable goods without prior written approval by City during Tournament Events
• PGF shall pay all fees listed by the Sports Complex operator, including but not limited to, daily field rental fees, field layout/prep fees, cleaning service fees, trash service fees, and any equipment and supplies charges agreed upon in the Site License Agreement
• PGF will be responsible for the purchase and installation of clay bricks as needed prior to and throughout the Tournament
• PGF will pay for replacement of damaged portable pitching rubbers as needed throughout the Tournament
• PGF shall have non-exclusive use of the parking lot for Sports Complex activities. Use of the parking lot for purposes other than to park cars shall be prohibited without prior City approval. PGF may buy out the entire parking lot or a portion thereof for agreed upon date(s) with City. PGF shall pay City directly for parking fees at a rate of $2 per space per day
• PGF shall only use approved equipment to prepare the fields for the Tournament
• PGF shall provide the Sports Complex Operator with a Turf Deposit to pay for replacement or repair of damaged turf in the area utilized for registration and under tenting as agreed upon between the two Parties in the Site License Agreement
• PGF will be permitted to park utility cars in the designated storage areas within the Sports Complex for the duration of the event
Environmental Status:
This action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
Strategic Plan Goal:
Non Applicable - Administrative Item
Attachment(s):
1. Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Huntington Beach and Premier Girls Fastpitch, Inc. for the use of Huntington Beach facilities.