CC - Item 7B - West San Gabriel Running Rebels Request for Use of Garvey GymnasiumROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JEFFRY ALLRED, CITY MANAGER - 1.
DATE: MAY 22, 2012
SUBJECT: WEST SAN GABRIEL RUNNING REBELS REQUEST FOR USE OF
GARVEY GYMNASIUM
SUMMARY
Representatives of West San Gabriel Running Rebels are requesting continued use of
Garvey Gym, at a reduced rate, while they continue their pursuit of 501(c)3 non - profit
status.
Staff Recommendation
That the City Council provide direction regarding West San Gabriel Running Rebels'
use of Garvey Park Gymnasium.
ANALYSIS
According to representatives of the West San Gabriel Running Rebels (Running
Rebels) youth basketball organization, they have been providing travel ball opportunities
to youth throughout the San Gabriel Valley since the mid- 1990s. The organization has
historically operated out of the Garvey Park Gymnasium. According to current rosters,
of the current 39 participants, 10 are residents (though not all rosters indicate participant
addresses). This meets the mandated 25% resident participant minimum approved by
City Council.
Following City Council's approved changes to Parks and Sports Facilities Fees in 2008,
it was determined that the Running Rebels were not a 501(c)3 non - profit organization.
They were immediately contacted and informed of the non - profit requirement for
continued use of the gymnasium. They indicated that they would do so.
Since that time, supervisory and administrative staff have repeatedly emailed, regularly
met with, and provided a number of letters (most recently dated February 1 and March
1, 2012) to address the issue of their non - profit status. As with other organizations, they
were provided a detailed email (dated July 2011) regarding the non - profit process.
Despite these efforts and several deadlines for proof of non - profit status (November
2010, January 2011, and February 2012), the Running Rebels have made little progress
citing legal concerns and limited funds.
ITEM NUMBER: - _V,�
City Council Meeting
May 22, 2012
Page 2 of 2
In deference to these issues and in response to the organization's requests, despite the
requirement of payment in accordance with City Council approved facility use policy,
time extensions have been repeatedly granted. However, given the lack of progress,
staff recently requested documented proof of the Running Rebels' efforts to obtain non-
profit status. To date, we have been provided with proof of their Articles of Incorporation
(March 2011) and an email referencing use of the Legal Zoom website. As of May 4,
2012, the California Secretary of State references them only as a "Business Entity" and
they are not included on IRS' "Exempt Organization" list.
As has been previously reported to City Council, the Running Rebels have made no
substantive progress toward 501(c)3 non - profit status after nearly four years. Thus,
while extensions had previously been granted, in March, the organization was asked to
pay staff costs ($11.03 per hour) for their 23 hours of weekly use —this is less than the
amount required ($25 per hour) for non - profit team use of the gymnasium (which
requires staff supervision, maintenance, and lighting). The organization was also
informed, in a letter dated March 1, 2012, that regular rates ($32 per hour in addition to
staff costs) would be incurred effective April 30 if non - profit status had still not been
achieved. On April 26, the Running Rebels were again notified of the impending fee
increase.
As a result, Running Rebels representatives have asked that City Council consider a
request for continued use of the Garvey Park Gymnasium at a reduced rate while they
continue their pursuit of 501(c)3 non - profit status.
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
This item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification process.
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of the request would impact revenues related to use of the Garvey
Gymnasium which offset the cost of staff supervision.
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