PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to request City Council approval of a resolution that authorizes the City Manager to accept $9,282.07 in Proposition A grant funds from the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District for the Management Services Department to provide employment for at-risk Burbank youth during the summer of 2005, and amend the Fiscal Year (FY) 2004-2005 budget by appropriating the grant funds.

BACKGROUND

Proposition A, which appropriated funds to improve the standard of living within Los Angeles County, was passed in November of 1992. The goal of this Proposition was to not only improve public parks, beaches, existing recreational facilities, natural recreation areas, and other park areas; but also provide positive opportunities for at-risk youth.

The Proposition A grant distributed by the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District requires that funds be used only for wages and benefits of at-risk youth performing hands-on work experience.  This experience must involve the development, improvement, refurbishment, or maintenance of public parks and public open space areas. In addition, youth must be considered at-risk according to the guidelines provided by the Los Angeles County Park and Open Space District and must be referred to the City of Burbank�s Workforce Connection for career development services.

The City of Burbank�s Summer Trails Program (STP) was initiated in the summer of 1999 to provide youth with hands-on work experience involving the improvement, refurbishment, or maintenance of Burbank�s parks and open space areas.  Each year, projects that meet this criterion are selected by the Park, Recreation, and Community Services Department, Fire Department, City Manager�s Office, and/or City Council Office.  These projects serve the community by providing safe, beautiful, and accessible trails, parks and open space areas for the public to enjoy. Specific projects include trail beautification and clearance in the Verdugo Mountains, brush and weed clearance from areas at risk for forest fires, and damage repair or clean-up caused by rain or other weather conditions. This is especially pertinent this summer with the heavy rains that hit our region in January. 

The Los Angeles County Park and Open Space District notified the City of Burbank that Proposition A funding was available.  Staff submitted an application on May 27, 2005. On June 10, 2005, the District awarded the grant in the amount of $9,282.07 to the City of Burbank. The City has 30 days from the date of the award to accept the grant and sign the Program Agreement. Therefore, this grant is being brought before the Council for official approval.

ANALYSIS & CONCLUSION

Since its� inception, the Summer Trails Program (STP) has become a �best practice� model for other agencies to emulate.  Over the past six years, the City has successfully provided hands-on work experience, as well as paid training in life and job skills, to over 300 at-risk youth. Summer Trails Program participants are paid California�s minimum hourly wage which is currently $6.75.  Participants in the STP work in small teams (currently 8-10 members each) under the direct supervision of two adults. The Summer Trails Program hires the most difficult to employ youth between the ages of 14 and 15. Youth are often at-risk and referred to the Program by agencies such as the Burbank Out Reach Center, Burbank Unified School District, City of Burbank, Burbank Police Department, and the Los Angeles County Probation Department.

The Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District Proposition A grant offers the City of Burbank the opportunity to employ additional at-risk youth in the Summer Trails Program. These funds can be utilized to expand the existing program to include more youth without making changes to the current program. Current staffing levels are adequate to support the increase in youth participants. However, since all STP participants receive protective equipment and intensive life and job skill training which are not covered under Proposition A, the grant funds will need to be utilized to pay for the wages and benefits of some existing Program participants as well as an additional 9 or 10 Program participants. In this way, supplies, equipment, and training sessions for all STP participants can be provided without incurring any additional cost to the City of Burbank. Leveraging funds in this manner will meet the goals of both the STP and the Los Angeles County Park and Open Space District Proposition A Program. 

FISCAL IMPACT

Accepting the grant will have no fiscal impact on the City of Burbank.  There is no match or recurring costs associated with the Los Angeles County Park and Open Space District Proposition A Grant.  The grant provides for one-time funding for Youth Employment Services efforts specifically designated to improve public parks, beaches, existing recreational facilities, natural recreation areas, and other park areas.

Accepting the grant funds amends the City�s budget by increasing Fund 130�s revenue estimates by $9,282.07, account 130.MS000.48010.1086 (LA County Prop A Youth Employment).  In addition, it appropriates the grant funding to Fund 001.MS02C.60001.000 (Salaries and Wages).    

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that the City Council adopt the proposed resolution and that the City Manager be authorized to sign the Program Agreement. 

Respectfully submitted,

Judie Sarquiz

Management Services Director