Label
Councilwoman Dr. Adams
Title
Creating the Department of Parks and Youth Services by enacting a new TMC Chapter 131 "Department of Parks and Youth Services"; appropriating $400,250 from the unappropriated balance of the General Fund; and declaring an emergency.
Body
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
Toledo City Council has determined that Parks, Recreation, Youth Services and Education are critical to quality of life and the health, safety and satisfaction of residents of all ages. Evidence proves that high quality parks and recreation systems, supportive youth programming developing pathways to success for city youth, and a successful and thriving educational system are critical for population retention and growth, and are drivers of strong economic development in the city. The city must prioritize these activities and develop a sustainable system of support. Additionally, Mayor Kapszukiewicz formed the Recreation Task Force upon entering office in 2018. After months of study, a report was presented to the Mayor and Council that made recommendations as to recreation programming, maintenance of parks and facilities and funding. This legislation creates a system where parks and recreation once again become a priority for the city. Additionally, the elimination of the Youth Commission in 2018 created a void with respect to youth services and programming. This legislation also prioritizes this by creating a division that will be responsible for creating a system of support for developing and enriching the lives of young people. Finally, people need to have compelling reasons to choose Toledo as the place they want to live, work and raise a family. Employment opportunities are inextricably tied to education and training. Having an excellent school system is one incentive. The Division of Educational and Workforce Development is created to develop a comprehensive plan for collaboration with educational partners and city support of initiatives aimed at achieving educational excellence for the betterment of all of Toledo.
This ordinance creates a new city department with divisions dedicated to program development and planning in each of these critical areas. This ordinance also appropriates $400,250 to begin the implementation of this ordinance. It provides for salaries for a Director and three Commissioners for the last six months of 2021, whose duties include planning and establishing goals for this Department and its Divisions. These positions will be funded in subsequent years in the annual appropriation ordinance. These positions must be filled with highly qualified experts who know how to coordinate, articulate, monitor and evaluate the needs for this Department and each Division. Funding is also provided for the engagement of planning professionals to assist the Director and Commissioners with the development of the Strategic Plans that this ordinance requires for each Division. It is anticipated that funding requirements for full implementation of this Department and established goals will be determined based on the strategic planning to be completed for each Division, and such funding requests will be presented to Council based on the outcome of those plans.
Summary
NOW, THEREFORE, Be it ordained by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That a new Toledo Municipal Code Chapter131 Department of Parks and Youth Services is hereby enacted as follows:
Chapter 131: Department of Parks and Youth Services
131.01 Creation.
131.02 Appointment of Director.
131.03 Duties of the Director.
131.04 Divisions within the Department.
131.05 Division of Parks, Recreation and Community Enrichment Created.
131.06 Duties of the Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Community Enrichment.
131.07 Division of Youth Services Created.
131.08 Duties of the Commissioner of Youth Services.
131.09 Division of Educational Engagement and Workforce Development Created .
131.10 Duties of the Commissioner of Educational Engagement and Workforce Development.
131.11 Parks and Recreation rules and regulations.
131.99 Penalty.
131.01 Creation.
There is hereby created the Department of Parks and Youth Services. This Department will have general responsibility for the development and operation of city-owned and/or controlled parks, recreational facilities and community centers. It shall also have responsibility for the development and administration of a comprehensive youth service program, recreation and community enrichment program, and an educational engagement and workforce development program.
131.02 Appointment of Director.
The Director of Parks and Youth Services shall be appointed by the Mayor in the manner provided by the Charter and shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor.
131.03. Duties of the Director.
The Director of Parks and Youth Services shall execute the duties imposed by ordinance of Council and such further duties as may be prescribed by the Mayor. The Director shall generally oversee the department and shall direct the operations associated with city-owned and/or controlled parks, recreation facilities and community centers. The Director shall have charge of the management of all programming at city facilities. The Director shall also have oversight of and be responsible for the effective administration of the divisions created herein. Specifically, the Director of Parks and Youth Services shall:
(a) Complete and regularly update a capital needs assessment to identify repair, replacement, and investment needs for all parks, recreation facilities, community centers and equipment. Such assessment shall be presented to the Mayor and Council on an annual basis or as otherwise requested by Council.
(b) Develop a capital improvement program for city-owned pools and aquatics facilities.
(c) Develop a capital improvement program to update parks and park elements to accessible and inclusive design elements as the equipment is maintained, installed or altered.
(d) Create a business development strategy to increase revenue generation for use of City facilities.
131.04. Divisions within the Department.
There are hereby created three (3) Divisions, as listed below, within the Department of Parks and Youth Services, each Division to be under the direction of a Commissioner. Each Commissioner named herein shall execute the duties imposed by ordinance of Council and such further duties as may be prescribed by the Director.
(a) Division of Parks, Recreation and Community Enrichment
(b) Division of Youth Services.
(c) Division of Educational Engagement and Workforce Development.
131.05. Division of Parks, Recreation and Community Enrichment.
The Division of Parks, Recreation and Community Enrichment is created to develop, manage and operate various community and recreation programs and activities provided by the City for a diverse population, including coordinating programs provided by the City or by public and private agencies and providing such service to the extent possible. Such programs include but are not limited to youth and adult sports programs, outreach services, special populations initiatives, aquatics, special events, cultural, educational and art programs, and senior citizen programs. This Division is also responsible for the management and operation of playgrounds, swimming pools, athletic fields, recreation and community centers, and other related facilities.
131.06. Duties of the Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Community Enrichment.
The Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Community Enrichment shall generally promulgate and administer the policies and programs of the Mayor and Council pertaining to recreation and community enrichment within the City as identified in section 131.07 herein. Specifically, the Commissioner shall:
(a) Develop a Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Community Enrichment Strategy to increase recreational and community enrichment programming within the city; and
(b) Develop specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time-bound (s.m.a.r.t.) goals of the Division with regard to implementation of the Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Community Enrichment Strategy, which, along with progress toward such goals, shall be presented to the Mayor and Council on an annual basis or as otherwise requested by Council; and
(c) Collaborate and contract with community partners to empower them to create and implement high quality recreational and community enrichment programs; and
(d) Develop a system of support for community partners with expertise in particular areas of programming, as well as those that have credibility and success with diverse populations; and
(e) Develop, recruit and manage a robust volunteer program to assist with such activities as special events, youth programs, beautification projects; and create a cadre of park rangers.
131.07 Division of Youth Services Created.
The Division of Youth Services is created to promote and facilitate an environment in the City that nurtures and enhances the development of youth and enables then to reach their full potential. This Division will work collaboratively with the Human Relations Commission and the community to administer, oversee and manage support services to enrich and further develop the lives of young people. Programming will relate to youth civic engagement, health and wellbeing, and safety.
131.08. Duties of Commissioner of Youth Services.
The Commissioner of Youth Services shall generally promulgate and administer the policies and programs of the Mayor and Council pertaining to youth within the City as identified in Section 131.07. Specifically, the Commissioner shall:
(a) In coordination with the Human Relations Commission, develop a Comprehensive Youth Development Strategy. This strategy shall include long and short-range plans for initiatives pertaining to youth civic engagement, health and wellbeing, and safety; and
(b) Develop specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time-bound (s.m.a.r.t.) goals of the Division with regard to implementation of the Comprehensive Youth Development Strategy, which, along with progress toward such goals, shall be presented to the Mayor and Council on an annual basis or as otherwise requested by Council; and
(c) Develop and promote relationships with youth services providers and area youth planning and coordinating bodies in furtherance of the Comprehensive Youth Development Strategy; and
(d) Develop relationships with private and public funders of youth services activities including seeking grant funding.
131.09 Division of Educational Engagement and Workforce Development Created.
The Division of Educational Engagement and Workforce Development is created to facilitate, coordinate and promote consistent educational policies and opportunities among educational providers throughout the city, from pre-school through University level. These policies will relate specifically to reduction of the achievement gap between students and building a stronger workforce for the future of Toledo in terms of economic development, quality of life and prosperity. This division will also mobilize a plan for community support of high expectations for every child in school and a course of action to increase parental involvement in the educational process and build strong relationships with families for intergenerational educational success. This division will be responsible for collaboration with community and educational partners in school readiness and universal Pre-K, college and career preparedness, and parental engagement and support.
131.10. Duties of the Commissioner of Educational Engagement and Workforce Development.
The Commissioner of Educational Engagement and Workforce Development shall generally promulgate and administer the policies and programs of the Mayor and Council pertaining to educational engagement and workforce development initiatives within the City as specified in Section 131.09. Specifically, the Commissioner shall:
(a) Improve collaboration and greater articulation with Pre-K through University level public and private school systems within the city to develop a city support structure for improving educational outcomes. This is done with the knowledge that the public school district does not have responsibility for Pre-K, thus filling the void created for families needing assistance with kindergarten readiness for their age-eligible children.
(b) In coordination with educational partners, develop a Comprehensive Educational Engagement and Workforce Development Strategy. This strategy shall include long and short-range plans for city support of planning, funding and implementation of a universal Pre-K program; college and career readiness initiatives, coordination of robust internships and apprenticeships; a plan for increasing parental involvement and engagement in the educational process; and coordination of community resources and support, including academic mentoring, tutoring and coaching in supporting student success.
(c) Develop specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time-bound (s.m.a.r.t) goals of the Division with regard to implementation of the Comprehensive Educational Engagement and Workforce Development Strategy, which, along with progress toward such goals, shall be presented to the Mayor and Council on an annual basis or as otherwise requested by Council.
131.11. Parks and Recreation rules and regulations.
The Director of Parks and Youth Services shall adopt rules and regulations governing the use of City owned parks, community centers and recreation facilities. This shall include, at a minimum, rules regarding minimum safety requirements to use city facilities and a standardized fee schedule and permitting process. Such rules and regulations shall be published in the same manner and shall have the same effect as the ordinances of the City.
131.99. Penalty.
Whoever violates any provision of any rule or regulation adopted under Section 131.11, for which there is no other penalty provided, is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If the offender persists in violating such rule or regulation after reasonable warning or request to desist, violation of the rule or regulation is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
SECTION 2. That the amount of $400,250 is appropriated from the unappropriated balance of the General Fund to the Department of Parks and Youth Services. $250,250 is appropriated for salaries for the last six months of 2021 and $150,000 is appropriated for the creation of the strategic plans required by this ordinance.
SECTION 3. It is found and determined that all formal actions of this Council concerning and relating to the passage of this Ordinance were passed in an open meeting of this Council, and that all deliberations of this Council and any of its committees that resulted in such formal action, were in meetings open to the public, in compliance with all legal requirements including Section 121.22 of the Ohio Revised Code.
SECTION 4. That this Ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall be in force and effect from and after its passage. The reason for the emergency lies in the fact that same is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, and property and for the further reason that it is necessary to effectively and timely engage in planning and implementation of programming to address critical community needs.
Vote on emergency clause: yeas 12, nays 0.
Passed: May 25, 2021, as an emergency measure: yeas 12, nays 0.
Attest:
Gerald E. Dendinger Matt Cherry
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: May 26, 2021
Wade Kapszukiewicz
Mayor