REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Eric G. Parra, Interim City Manager
VIA: Scott M. Haberle, Fire Chief
PREPARED BY: Kevin Justen, Senior Management Analyst
Subject:
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Approve and authorize execution of the termination of City of Huntington Beach Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Huntington Beach and Friends of the HB Junior Guards
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Statement of Issue:
The Friends of the HB City Junior Guards (FJG) and the City have enjoyed a long-term association, first memorialized in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2005. This has provided youth from the City and the surrounding area the opportunity to learn ocean safety, lifesaving techniques, first aid, marine ecology, fitness and other valuable skills. FJG also has responsibility for the purchase of all clothing, uniforms and merchandise for the program. Participants purchase these supplies from FJG. On April 9, 2024, the FJG met and voted to terminate the existing MOU with the City. They also requested, in accordance with provisions in the MOU, that the City purchase all unsold supplies. At this time, approval of the attached termination agreement ending the MOU is requested, along with an allocation of $129,000 for the purchase of unsold FJG inventory.
Financial Impact:
The proposed action would have a net neutral impact because the requested allocation will be offset by sales of Junior Lifeguard clothing, uniforms and merchandise.
Recommended Action:
recommendation
A) Approve and authorize the Interim City Manager to execute Termination of City of Huntington Beach Memorandum of Understanding with Friends of the HB Junior Guards (Att 1); and
B) Appropriate $129,000 to business unit 10065205 for the purchase of Junior Lifeguard Program clothing, uniforms and merchandise from the Friends of the HB City Junior Guards.
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the termination agreement of the MOU or the allocation and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
Since approval of an MOU in 2005, the FJG and the City have benefited a long-term association. They are a tax-exempt, non-profit charitable corporation established to support and enhance the Huntington Beach Junior Lifeguard Program. The FJG does this by providing funding for program scholarships, equipment, training, and other resources that help promote ocean safety, physical fitness and environmental stewardship among youth in the community. In 2021, the FJG amended their MOU with the City to assume responsibility for the purchase of all program clothing, uniforms and merchandise. These supplies are purchased by participants from FJG and the amended MOU with this requirement is shown as Attachment 3.
The FJG voted to terminate the existing MOU with the City on April 9, 2024 and requested, in accordance with Section 5 of the MOU, that the City purchase all unsold inventory. Their letter is shown as Attachment 2.
At this time, approval of a termination agreement ending the MOU is requested. It is shown as Attachment 1. An allocation of $129,000 for the purchase of unsold FJG inventory is also requested. This funding will be provided to FJG as documentation of purchases is provided and inventory transferred to the City. The Fire Chief, working with Finance Department staff, will review and approve these transactions. Purchases will be offset by sale of merchandise through the City’s authorized vendor for Junior Lifeguard Program merchandise.
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. Termination of City of Huntington Beach Memorandum of Understanding with Friends of the HB Junior Guards
2. Friends of HB Junior Guards Letter
3. First Amended and Restated Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Huntington Beach and the Friends of the HB City Junior Guards