02-05-2002 - Senior League Baseball FieldTO:
.60
SUBJECT:
•
Andrew G. Pasmant, City Manager
and City Council
Tom Hatch, Community Services Director
n
SENIOR LEAGUE BASEBALL FIELD
• City of West Covina
Memorandum
AGENDA
ITEM NO. M-6
DATE: February 5, 2002
PRMM ON RECYCLED PAPER
SUMMARY: Authorize staff to temporarily charge Maverick Field maintenance fees to CIP
account 4114-320-3258-7700.
BACKGROUND:
West Covina is home to six Little League organizations that currently operate baseball programs
for children five to twelve years of age. Participants who desire to play in the Little League
system beyond their twelfth year, must play outside the city. In the past year, Little League
Board Members have advocated for space to create a Senior Little League field.
A portion of the West Covina School District (District) property, adjacent and south of Del Norte
Park, was earmarked for the site of a senior field. The existing field has long been neglected and
is not suitable for safe play. In addition to the poor turf and infield conditions, there are
unidentified irrigation problems and gopher infestation. Capital Improvement Program funds
were allocated for FY 2001-02 for the development of a Senior baseball infield at this site. The
Express Soccer and National Little League groups worked together this past year researching the
outfield and multipurpose turf renovation, and gopher abatement possibilities. They determined
that the renovation and on -going maintenance would be beyond their financial means.
City and District staff met several times . to discuss the possibility of improving the field
condition at this site. The District is uncertain of the future use of the property and the existing
lease they have with the Regional Occupational Program. Therefore, District staff has only
allowed the City to pay the utilities and youth groups to maintain one portion of the property,
which is the small t-ball field.
DISCUSSION:
The City anticipates closing escrow with Valencia Heights Water Company for the purchase of
the Maverick Field — Ridgerider property within thirty days. For the past nine months, members
of a Community Services Sub -Committee and Sports Council have worked with staff and
Maverick Development Group (MDG) Board Members regarding the design of a City/MDG
partnership. The public/non-profit partnership would work together to maintain and schedule
Maverick Field. The goal is to continue with the same high quality of maintenance without
impacting the general fund. Currently, the MDG operates with a fee schedule that will be used
until an agreement has been approved by City Council. Staff is developing an agreement with
MDG and will be presenting a report to the Community Services Commission and ultimately to
the City Council in the near future.
The field renovation project located on District property adjacent to Del Norte Park is not ready
to move forward due to the complexities described above relating to high renovation and
maintenance costs, as well as the District's inability to forecast the future use of the field.
One option is to use a portion of the $15,000 allocated for CIP project #02602, Del Norte Park
baseball infield renovation, towards the maintenance cost for the Senior League to play their
2002 season at Maverick Field. This temporary assistance with maintenance fees would
empower the League to kick-off the premi I Senior Little League season in West Covina. It is
anticipated that the League will be able to finance the maintenance fees associated with
Maverick Field in future years. League registration continues through February, but Jim
Gonzalvez, Little League District 19 Director, foresees that a six to eight team league will need a
field to play games beginning in March. Staff calculates the maintenance fees for league games
and potential play-off games to be approximately $3,000. This option would eliminate the need
for the CIP project of infield renovation at the Del Norte site.
'FISCAL IMPACT:
If this item is approved the remaining balance for the Del Norte CIP project will go back to the
Community Enhancement Fund balance.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council authorize staff to charge approximately $3,000 from
CIP account # 114-320-3258-7700 towards maintenance of Maverick Field.
Prepared by: Reviewed by:
Tom Hatch ' /X0
Community Services Director
Reviewed by:
Artie >�ieIds
Actin Finance Director