Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER CO-SPONSORING THE ADULT REAL RUN BASKETBALL LEAGUE (CITY COUNCIL)
Body
I. SUMMARY
The Real Run Enterprise Incorporated (Real Run) is seeking a co-sponsorship with the City of Carson to operate a summer adult basketball league for college and prospective National Basketball Association (NBA) players. The co-sponsorship includes a request for a 100% waiver of facility rental fees of $27,621 and staff hours of $7,448 for the use of the Veterans SportsComplex, at a total cost of $35,069. Additionally, the organization is requesting that the City provide Summer Youth Workers to assist with game operations for an estimated cost of $3,328 for the entire season. Therefore, the grand total of the City’s commitment to Real Run is $38,397.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
TAKE the following actions:
1. CONSIDER a co-sponsorship request from Real Run Enterprise Incorporated that includes a total of $35,069 in waived facility rental and staff fees for use of the Veterans Sports Complex.
2. CONSIDER Real Run Enterprise Incorporated’s request for the City to provide Summer Youth Workers at a total cost of $3,328.
Body
III. ALTERNATIVES
1. DO NOT APPROVE the recommendation.
2. TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate.
IV. BACKGROUND
Established in the 1990s, the Real Run Enterprise Incorporated (Real Run) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit (Exhibit No. 1). It’s relationship with the City of Carson began with the Summer Basketball Program that hosted professional players at the Veterans Sports Complex. Since then, Real Run has been held every few years.
On May 17, 2005, the City Council approved a waiver of for the use of Veterans Sports Complex at a cost of $40,848, and provided Summer Youth Workers at a cost of $9,806. On June 22, 2021, the City Council approved a fee waiver for facility use of Veterans Sports Complex at a cost of $21,729, and agreed to provide Summer Youth Workers at a cost of $5,208. On February 21, 2023, the City Council approved a fee waiver for facility use of Veterans Sports Complex at a cost of $24,863 (Exhibit No. 2), and provided Summer Youth Workers at a cost of $3,139.
This year, Real Run is proposing to operate a summer adult basketball league for college and prospective National Basketball Association (NBA) players. The program will include workshops for participating college and high school athletes, as well as interested local high school or college athletes in the City of Carson. Among the many workshop topics are Financial Literacy, Mental Health, Legal and Law Enforcement collaboratives, and Health and Fitness concepts. The League operator desires to run this program at the Sports Complex for a total of 7 weeks, from June 22, 2024, through August 4, 2024, on Saturdays and Sundays, from 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Clinics will be held every Saturday, from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM. An additional week is scheduled for playoffs: Wednesday, August 7, 2024; Thursday, August 8, 2024; and Friday, August 9, 2024, from 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Semi-Finals will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2024, from 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, and the Championship is scheduled for August 11, 2024, from 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM. The program will encourage full participation by college athletes by eliminating conflicts between their summer commitments and their athletic or academic programs. In addition, the games are open to the public for the community to view and experience high-quality basketball games with elite players.
Staff has in the past explored the possibility of supporting this program as a City-operated adult sports league. However, as outlined by Real Run, registration is restricted to college athletes and current/prospective NBA players within 100 miles of the Sports Complex gymnasium. Due to its closed registration, the league would not be open to the General Public and would not be eligible to be operated as a City sports league.
Should the City Council agree to co-sponsor the summer league, Real Run Enterprises Incorporated would be responsible for all aspects of the exclusive adult league, including game schedules, officials, score keeping, uniforms for league participants, and 7 youth summer basketball clinics with giveaways. The City would be responsible for providing the Veterans SportsComplex’s main gymnasium, bleachers, and staff for the facility only. The City, in conjunction with Real Run staff, would also offer a youth summer basketball clinic to operate prior to the weekly adult Real Run league games. With the oversight and administration of City staff, the free clinics will be coached by adult Real Run athletes and Real Run staff providing fundamentals of basketball, scrimmages, and instruction to participants. Giveaways will also be donated by Real Run Enterprise. Finally, Summer Youth Workers would be provided by the City to assist with the cleaning of equipment, mopping floors, and refilling of water for the players.
To keep registration fees low while delivering a quality league to elite adult players in the region, Real Run Enterprise is requesting a fee waiver request for facility use and staff hours at a cost of $35,069, and the assistance of Summer Youth Workers at a cost of $3,328. Should the City Council approve this request, the total City commitment is $38,397.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
Should the City Council decide to co-sponsor the program, the Real Run Enterprise Incorporated would receive a facility rental and staff cost fee waiver totaling $35,069. The Real Run is also requesting the use of four (4) Summer Youth workers each evening of game play to assist with the program at a cost of $3,328. The total City commitment is $38,397.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. Real Run Enterprise Non-Profit Status (pg. 4-5)
2. Real Run Enterprise Facility Permit (pg. 6-7)
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Prepared by: Tim Grierson, Recreation Superintendent, and Michael Whittiker, Director of Community Services/Recreation/Park Maintenance Department