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CONTRACT K-1819-103: A CONTRACT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, AND THE NORMAN ADULT SPORTS ASSOCIATION, INC., FOR THE OPERATION OF ADULT SOFTBALL AND FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUES AT REAVES PARK.
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BACKGROUND: In 2015, the Norman City Council approved a contract with Norman Amateur Softball Foundation (NASF) for the operation of adult softball programs at Reaves Park. NASF opted to terminate their agreement and disband their organization at the end of that contract term in 2018. At that time, the Norman Parks and Recreation Department assumed operation of those programs. Also in 2015, the Norman City Council approved a contract with Football Academy Inc. for the operation of adult flag football programs at Griffin Park. That group opted to terminate their agreement and disband their organization following the 2016 season. At that time, the Norman Parks and Recreation Department assumed operation of those programs. Participation in the adult flag football league has been declining for a number of years and has now reached a point where there are not enough teams interested to compile a league.
In September of 2018, the Parks and Recreation Department submitted requests for proposals (RFP) for the operation of the adult softball programs at Reaves Park. The Norman Adult Sports Association (NASA) has responded with a proposal to operate the adult softball leagues at Reaves Park as well as the adult flag football programs that had previously been played at Griffin Park. A copy of the RFP and proposal from NASA is attached.
DISCUSSION: Representatives for NASA have met with City staff to discuss the terms and conditions included in the proposed agreement. NASA is proposing to operate an adult softball league with associated tournaments and the adult flag football program at the Reaves Park Softball Complex. Our Staff is familiar with all of the NASA board members from previous sports association contracts and confident in their experience and abilities to operate these programs. The proposed agreement provides for a one year lease which will automatically renew annually unless either party opts to terminate or amend the lease. NASA will pay the City $1.00 per year for the lease, which is consistent with other sports organizations that operate programs at City facilities. NASA will hold the City harmless against liability which may occur during the Association’s use of the facilities, and will have insurance equal to or greater than the limits prescribed by the Oklahoma Tort Claims Act. NASA will maintain all areas that they use, including trash removal, fertilizer application, field conditioning and field preparation for games and activities. The City will mow playing surfaces once per week during the season until NASA can take over field mowing in the future. NASA will schedule the use of the softball facilities at Reaves Park during the time this agreement is in effect. The City will provide sanitation dumpster service and water for the complex at its own expense. NASA will pay 20% of the electric utility service during the first year of operation and increase that payment by 20% each subsequent year until they are paying 100% of that cost. This is consistent with other contracts the City has entered into with other sports associations providing services at City facilities. NASA is proposing to take over operations and begin team registrations in March and proceed with games starting in late spring.
On February 7, 2019, the proposal from NASA was reviewed by the Norman Board of Park Commissioners. The Board voted to approve the proposal and recommends City Council’s approval of Contract K-1819-103 as proposed.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff is recommending approval of Contract K-1819-103 with Norman Adult Sports Association to operate the adult softball and flag football leagues at Reaves Park.