Item 4F CITY OF
SOUTHLAKE 4F - 1
MEMORANDUM
June 14, 2016
To: Shana K. Yelverton, City Manager
From: Chris Tribble, Director of Community Services
Subject: Approve the Policy for the Provision of Athletic Facilities
Action
Requested: City Council consideration and approval of the Policy for the
Provision of Athletic Facilities.
Background
Information: The purpose of the proposed Policy for the Provision of Athletic
Facilities is to ensure the most appropriate allocation of the City
owned athletic facility assets. The Policy will guide the
management and use of City owned athletic facilities, excluding
those at The Marq Southlake and the Southlake Tennis Center.
The goal in developing the Policy is to provide outstanding athletic
fields which meet the Southlake standard, and prioritize the uses of
the City owned athletic facilities.
The proposed Policy for the Provision of Athletic Facilities:
• Charges the Community Services Department with the
management and allocation of all athletic facilities as per the
policy
• Prioritizes field use and allocations
• Identifies how practice hours will be allocated
• Details communications required of the Community Services
Department and the athletic associations
• Introduces an annual board member orientation program
• Clarifies the requirements of the athletic associations in
terms of submitting: season dates; schedules for practices,
scrimmages and games; scheduling of field lights; and
submission of seasonal field maintenance fee payments and
rosters
• Clarifies field care & maintenance and field closures
• Clarifies that all tournaments shall be authorized by the City
through its Tournament Facilities Utilization Agreement
City of Southlake Values:
Integrity Innovation♦ Accountability ♦ Commitment to Excellence♦ Teamwork
Shana Yelverton, City Manager
Meeting Date—June 21, 2016 4F - 2
Page 2 of 3
• Speaks to concession stand operations, vendors, building
access, vehicle permits, the lighting prediction system and
park regulations
• Will be included as an exhibit to all future Facilities Utilization
Agreements
The policy has been developed by staff based on the feedback and
recommendations of the City Council/Parks & Recreation Board
Athletics Task Force and the Parks & Recreation Board who began
working on the parameters of the policy in October 2015. The
proposed policy was discussed and recommended by the Athletics
Task Force at a meeting held June 1 , 2016, and the Parks &
Recreation Board recommended the approval of the policy (5-0) at
their June 6, 2016 meeting.
A copy of the proposed Policy for Provision of Athletic Facilities is
included in your packet.
Financial
Considerations: N/A
Strategic Link: This item is linked to the City's Strategy Map related the focus area
of Performance Management & Service Delivery and meets the
corporate objectives to Provide Attractive & Unique Spaces for
Enjoyment of Personal Interests, Enhance Service Delivery through
Continual Process Improvement and Provide High Quality Services
through Sustainable Business Practices.
Citizen Input/
Board Review: Multiple meeting discussions by the Parks & Recreation Board and
the City Council/Parks & Recreation Board Athletics Task Force,
including meetings with SGSA and DYF representatives since
October 2015
City Council/Parks & Recreation Board Athletics Task Force review
and recommendations June 1 , 2016
Parks and Recreation Board recommended approval (5-0) at their
June 6, 2016 meeting
City Council consideration June 21 , 2016
Legal Review: N/A
City of Southlake Values:
Integrity Innovation♦ Accountability ♦ Commitment to Excellence♦ Teamwork
Shana Yelverton, City Manager
Meeting Date—June 21, 2016 4F - 3
Page 3 of 3
Alternatives: Alternatives include:
• Approve policy as presented
• Approve policy with input as desired
• Decision not to approve policy
Supporting
Documents: Policy for Provision of Athletic Facilities
Recommendation: City Council approval of the Policy for Provision of Athletic Facilities
City of Southlake Values:
Integrity ♦ Innovation♦ Accountability ♦ Commitment to Excellence♦ Teamwork
4F - 4
City of Southlake
Policies and Procedures
Policy: Policy for the Provision of Athletic Facilities
Source: City Council
Category: Community Services Department
I. Guiding Principles
The City of Southlake provides municipal services that support the highest quality of life for our
residents, businesses, and visitors. We do this by being an exemplary model of balancing
efficiency, fiscal responsibility, transparency, and sustainability.
We do this by adhering to the City's Strategy Map which focuses on Safety & Security,
Infrastructure, Mobility, Quality Development, Partnerships & Volunteerism, and Performance
Management & Service Delivery.
The Southlake City Council has adopted this Policy for the Provision of Athletic Facilities to
ensure the most appropriate allocation of the City owned athletic facility assets.
The policy will guide the management and provision of the City's athletic facilities (excluding
those at The Marq Southlake and the Southlake Tennis Center).
II. Management
The Department of Community Services is charged with overseeing all aspects of the City's
Park and Recreation system, including the management and allocation of all athletic facilities as
per this policy to ensure we are Serving Our Customers, Managing the Business and Providing
Financial Stewardship of these City owned assets.
The Department has developed the following objectives to guide its business operations related
to the management of the park and recreation system.
• Ensure a safe and secure parks and recreation system for customers
• Develop and maintain outstanding parks, community facilities & public spaces
• Provide meaningful opportunities for volunteer involvement
• Deliver exceptional customer service
• Promote lifelong learning & active lifestyles through high quality facilities, programs & events
• Enhance customer engagement by providing strategic messaging for community facilities,
programs & events
• Collaborate with select partners to implement service solutions
• Partner with community stakeholders to identify & implement needs of the community
• Enhance resident quality of life & business vitality through tourism
• Enhance service delivery through process development and continual process improvement
• Provide high value services through efficient management of resources
• Provide and maintain high quality parks and community facilities within budget
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• Ensure the cost effective and efficient investment of taxpayer dollars on infrastructure
• Improve quality of life through progressive implementation of Southlake's Comprehensive
Plan recommendations.
III. Athletic Field Allocations
The City's goal is to provide outstanding athletic fields, which meet the Southlake standard, for
the uses detailed below in priority order:
1. Recreational level league games, practices and league tournaments offered by the City and
approved athletic associations, where the teams are primarily made up of Southlake
residents (Seasonal field allocations will be prioritized based on the primary season for
each sport)
2. Non-organized field/court usage (i.e., open play) on a first-come, first-served basis by
Southlake residents (on fields that are not locked or closed for maintenance)
3. Higher level (i.e., select level) league games and practices offered by the City, approved
athletic associations and the CISD, once the needs at the recreational level are met. Priority
will be given to higher level teams primarily made up of Southlake residents over teams that
are not (Seasonal field allocations will be prioritized based on the primary season for each
sport)
4. Field/court rentals by Southlake residents for exclusive personal use (no organized team
use)
5. Field/court rentals by Southlake businesses & non-profits for infrequent use (such as for a
corporate or church event, fee based sports clinics, etc.)
6. Tournament play (see Tournament section below)
7. Field/court rentals by non-Southlake residents for exclusive personal use (no organized
team use)
8. Field/court rentals by non-Southlake businesses & non-profits for infrequent use (such as for
a corporate or church event, fee based sports clinics, etc.)
To ensure athletic fields are maintained to the Southlake standard, the City designates fields as
either Game Fields or Practice Fields. Game Fields are designated for City managed or
approved athletic association league games and tournament play. Practice Fields are
designated for City managed or approved athletic association league practices and
scrimmages.
The City reserves the right to allocate the usage of all City owned fields for City programs and
for approved athletic association programs as deemed appropriate by the Director of
Community Services. The City will have priority for any City event.
The City does not allocate, nor rent athletic fields or athletic courts for organized team use;
unless the team is officially registered in either a City managed athletic program or an approved
athletic association program.
In addition to the game fields the City allocates for approved athletic association league games,
the City also allocates the required number of practice fields to meet the athletic association's
program needs for practices each season.
The athletic association may distribute the total hours of practice space allocated as they see fit
to meet the needs of their program (i.e., the athletic association determines how many hours per
week their participants practice, not the City).
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To maximize the use of each athletic facility, the total hours of practice space allocated is based
on the number of teams registered per season the previous year. The allocation may be
adjusted to accommodate any increase or decrease in league participation for the current
season.
To develop the total number of practices hours allocated, the City, in utilizing the recent field
requirements of the approved athletic associations as a guide, has developed the following
formula to calculate the total hours of practice space allocated to each association seasonally.
The formula is consistent with the National Standards for Youth Sports as recommended by the
National Alliance for Youth Sports organization. Three (3) hours of practice space, per team, per
week for youth (10 & under), and six (6) hours of practice space, per team, per week for middle
school aged (11 & up). The City will allocate an additional 10% of practice space, beyond the
number of hours of practice space per team, per week, to account for potential field closures
related to inclement weather.
The City will make the allocations no less than thirty (30) days prior to the start of practices for
each season. The allocations will be specific to the park, complex, field, day and time.
The athletic association will only have access to the specific fields allocated and only on the
days and times allocated.
Athletic facilities may only be used by the approved athletic associations during the following
days and times for season practices and games.
DAY BEGIN END
Sunday 12:OOPM 10:OOPM
Mon —Thurs 4:OOPM 10:OOPM
Friday 4:OOPM 11:OOPM
Saturday 8:OOAM 11:OOPM
Exception: Field use at North Park shall cease by 9:OOPM daily (Sunday— Saturday)
The athletic association is responsible for turning off all field lights when no longer in use each
day. The City will set field lights to automatically turn off thirty (30) minutes after each day's end
time.
IV. Communication
In working with the City's approved athletic association programs, the Department of
Community Services shall:
• Provide board member orientation on an annual basis for all athletic association board
members/representatives
• Meet with key athletic association board members/representatives at least one month prior
to each season to discuss the details and logistics for the upcoming season
• Meet with key athletic association board members/representatives as needed throughout
the year
• Provide, manage and monitor the City's athleticfields(a)-ci.south lake.tx.us email for all
communications related to field scheduling
4F - 7
In working with the City, the City's approved athletic association programs shall:
• Designate one (1) person as the association's field manager that will serve as the one (1)
point of contact for all day-to-day communications related to field usage, scheduling and
maintenance requests
• Submit season start and end dates no less than one (1) month prior to the beginning of each
season to the City via email athleticfields(a)ci.south lake.tx.us
• Submit a complete schedule for practices/scrimmages and games (field number, age group,
dates, times) no less than one (1) week prior to the beginning of the season to the City via
email athleticfields(a)ci.southlake.tx.us in the format designated by the City
• Submit requests to reschedule games no less than one (1) business day in advance to the
City via email athleticfieldsa-ci.south lake.tx.us (Note: All requests to reschedule games
must be approved by the City). Requests not received prior to one (1) business day will not
be honored
• Submit requests to reschedule games that require the reconfiguration/restriping of fields at
least three (3) business days in advance to the City via email
athleticfields(a)ci.south lake.tx.us
• Schedule all necessary sports field lights for practices/scrimmages and games by using the
Musco Control-Link password assigned to the field manager
• Submit the names, addresses, e-mail addresses and phone numbers of all officers and
board members no less than two (2) weeks after election or appointment
• Submit field maintenance fee payment with rosters of all participants including name, age,
gender, residency, league played in (Recreational or Select), and all other information
requested to complete seasonal report no less than two (2) weeks after the season
• The athletic association president or board representative shall attend one Parks &
Recreation Board meeting annually for the purpose of making a presentation addressing the
state of the athletic association and to discuss any other items related to the program
V. Field Care & Maintenance
In maintaining and preparing fields for play, the City shall:
• Ensure all parks and athletic facilities are safe, available and ready for play based on the
approved schedules submitted by the associations
• Provide & maintain all area and athletic field/court lighting systems
• Maintain the restrooms in a safe and sanitary condition
• Be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the irrigation system
• Provide electrical power for the operation of the scoreboards
• Maintain/repair the scoreboards
• Perform all turf maintenance
o Mowing
o Fertilization
o weed control/herbicide spraying
■ may require up to 24 hours field closure
■ City will give a 48 hour notice
■ City will not close a field with a scheduled game
• Prepare game fields for games Monday through Friday; including painting/chalking all field
lines, as necessary for regularly scheduled and properly rescheduled games. (Note: Fields
will not be prepared for any game(s) that are not on the City approved schedule.)
4F - 8
• Provide contract porter services on weekends. The porter service schedule will be set as
deemed appropriate by the Parks Manager or designee. The porter service will be limited to
cleaning restrooms and the removal of full trash bags from the trash receptacles as needed.
• Provide litter collection
• Perform all clay and turf maintenance to include adding clay, clay renovation, and cutting
infield arcs and base paths
• Provide clay, sand, soil, etc. to be used in leveling or backfilling low areas when deemed
necessary
• Maintain all back-stops, fences, gates, dugouts and bleachers in a safe and secure
condition
• Provide and install field equipment (bases, pitching rubbers, goals, etc.)
Authorized users shall:
• Be responsible for daily policing of all litter at the facility to include playing areas, dugouts,
fences, backstops, bleachers, concession stands and adjacent grounds
• Place all litter in the bins, cans, and receptacles provided by the City. Note: If within the
City's judgment, the authorized user does not comply with litter collection, a notification letter
will be issued by the City requesting immediate compliance. Further non-compliance will
result in a fee of$35.00 per hour/per staff member for litter clean up
• Be prohibited from performing any maintenance to any City property
• Secure the facility when leaving (lock storage rooms, lock concession stands, secure
scoreboard controllers, lock all field gates and building doors, turn off all field lights, interior
building lights, and pavilion lights)
• Be appropriately trained by City staff on the use of any field prep supplies and hand
equipment if the association desires to prep fields more frequently than what is provided by
the City
VI. Field Closures
Athletic fields will be closed to allow for the ongoing maintenance required to provide athletic
fields that meet the Southlake standard.
• All athletic fields are closed during the months of December & January
• All athletic fields will be closed for twelve (12) consecutive days during the City's
maintenance periods in June
o The City will attempt to rotate fields and split maintenance on fields in an effort to keep
half of the fields open for practices
o Maintenance during this period includes:
■ Mowing/Verti-cutting as necessary (if heavy buildup of thatch)
■ Aeration /Top dressing / Fertilization of fields
■ Over-seeding/sod replacement in heavy wear spots (City to determine which
fields one (1) month prior. Requires 10-20 days for seed germination or time for
sod to take root)
■ Watering time needed to water in fertilizer and keep any seed or sod moist to
allow for germination and to take root
■ Infield and complex maintenance
• Heavy use rectangular athletic fields (football/lacrosse/soccer) will be closed for two (2)
weeks in September/October to allow for overseeding with rye grass
o Depending on the weather, the City will make every possible effort to work with
authorized users to schedule the overseeding around game schedules
4F - 9
Athletic fields may also be closed due to inclement weather and/or safety concerns. Field
closures due to inclement weather may be necessary if it is raining at game/practice time, if the
fields/courts are too wet, and/or in the interest of participant safety and/or preservation of good
playing surfaces. The procedures for inclement weather field closures are as follows:
• Weekdays
o Inspect athletic fields by 3:OOPM
o Make a decision based upon field condition or weather
o List any closings on the City Field Closure Line (817) 748-8028 by 4:OOPM
o The website www.teamsideline.com/southlake is updated Monday through Friday by
4:OOPM
o The Parks Manager or designee will have the final responsibility for canceling games
with regards to field conditions for weekday games
o If the conditions are marginal, the field information may include a notice that such
conditions are subject to change with an updated notification by 4:OOPM
o After games have begun and inclement weather becomes a factor, association officials
shall follow the same guidelines as City staff for deciding cancellation or postponement
• Weekends
o If a final decision for the weekend is not possible at 3:OOPM Friday, the Parks Manager
or designee familiar with the athletic fields will monitor the weather and field conditions
throughout the weekend and make decisions on field closure as needed
o Inspect Athletic Fields by 7:OOAM on Saturday and Sunday (Note: Every effort will be
made to ensure all fields are inspected by 7:OOAM, however, due to the number of fields
it may take longer depending on the specific situation)
o The City Field Closure Line (817) 748-8028 will also be updated by 8:OOAM for Saturday
and Sunday games. (Note: The website is only updated Monday— Friday)
o Status for Saturday & Sunday afternoon/evening games may be reevaluated at the
discretion of the Parks Manager or designee at 11:OOAM and the field decision will be
made prior to Noon that day
o The decision of the Parks Manager or designee shall be final
VII. Tournaments
The City realizes the importance of athletic tournaments. These events have a major impact on
the local economy, as well as provide a revenue source for the City and the City's approved
athletic association programs. The City may provide athletic facilities for organizations
requesting to host a tournament in Southlake.
All tournament requests must be submitted to the City and shall only be authorized by the City
through its Tournament Facilities Utilization Agreement.
Tournament approvals are based on field availability, and will not interfere with previously
approved, scheduled City or approved athletic association program usage.
VIII. Concessions
All food/beverage related concession operations are provided either by the approved athletic
association programs or by the City as per the City's Concessions Stand Agreement.
4F - 10
IX. Vendors
All potential vendors must be pre-approved by the City along with a list of merchandise offered. No
vendor will be allowed to sell any merchandise without the approval of the City and may not be in
competition with items sold by the concessionaire. Vendor fees apply. Vendor trailers will be
restricted to designated areas located within the parking lot.
X. Building Access &Vehicle Permits
The City will work with the association to determine the appropriate number of key fobs and
vehicle permits to be issued.
The City will issue key fobs to authorized approved athletic association program representatives
for access to concession stands and storage rooms.
The association may request permission in writing to utilize a golf cart or workman type utility
vehicle on City property. If approved, a permit will be issued by the City to the association on a
per vehicle basis. Misuse of the vehicle, as determined by the City, may result in the
cancellation of the permit and ability of the association to use these vehicles.
The association may request permission in writing to allow specific association representatives
to drive their automobiles into the complex on the pedestrian pathways. The permit will only be
issued by the City to association representatives responsible for the delivery of concession and
building supplies to the concession/restroom/storage facilities. The permit allows for the drop-off
and pick-up of concession and building supplies. At no time, may an automobile be parked
inside the complex, as these areas are reserved for pedestrians only. All automobiles must be
parked in the parking lot. The association must contact the Department of Community Services
for a permit. Violators may be ticketed by Southlake Police.
XI. Lighting Prediction System
The City has implemented the THOR GUARD Lightning Prediction System in its
community parks.
Lightning is a severe hazard that must be viewed seriously. Everyone should seek shelter any
time they believe lightning threatens them, even if a signal has NOT been sounded.
You will be warned by our THOR GUARD lightning prediction system, which sounds ONE 15
second blast of the horn signaling suspension of ALL activities, the strobe light will begin flashing
and remain flashing until safe conditions return. You should seek immediate shelter.
Activities may resume after THREE 5 second blasts of the horn are sounded and the strobe light
stops flashing.
XII. Park Regulations
The following regulations and restrictions are prescribed for the use of City parks:
(1) Alcoholic beverages prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess or
consume any alcoholic beverage in any City park.
4F - 11
(2) Riding, driving or walking horses in any City park. Except on designated horse trails, it
shall be unlawful for any person to walk, drive or ride a horse or horses within any City
park.
(3) Riding or driving off-road motorized vehicles in City any park. Except on designated off-
road trails, it shall be unlawful for any person to drive or ride an off-road vehicle within
any City park. For the purposes of this section, an off-road vehicle is a motorized vehicle
designed and equipped for use off any paved roadway with such definition to specifically
include off-road motor bikes, go-carts, and dune buggies.
(4) Vehicular traffic prohibited in certain areas. Except in designated overflow parking areas,
it shall be unlawful for any motor vehicle to stand, stop, and park or cross onto or into
any portion of a City park other than upon a roadway or parking area so designated for
such purposes.
(5) Time limitations on public use of park. Except for a City sponsored event, it shall be
unlawful for any person to use, enter into or be within a City park during any posted
hours which the park is closed.
(6) Littering. Littering is hereby prohibited in any City park. Littering shall include leaving
trash or other items by persons picnicking within a City park and not placing trash and
other items in appropriate trash receptacles provided in such park.
(7) Firearms prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to carry on or about himself or to
discharge a gun, pistol, rifle, or other firearm within any City park except that a person
duly licensed by the state to carry a concealed handgun may carry a concealed handgun
in accordance with state law.
(8) Bicycles, skates, etc. It shall be unlawful for any person to ride a bicycle, scooter, skate
board, in-line skates, or roller skates on any tennis court or basketball court owned or
leased by the City, or in any other public areas posted by the City.
(9) Hitting golf balls prohibited. Except in designated areas, it shall be unlawful for any
person to hit golf balls in City parks.
(10) Smoking prohibited except in designated areas. It shall be unlawful to smoke in
bleachers, dugouts, or other congested outdoor areas at City parks.
(11) Glass containers prohibited in City parks. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess a
glass container in a City park.
(12) Defacing public property.
a. No person shall remove, destroy, mutilate, or deface any structure, monument,
statue, vase, fountain, wall, fence, railing, vehicle, bench, building or other
property located in any public park.
b. No person shall cut, break, deface, injure, or remove the trees, shrubs, plants,
grasses, or turf within any public park.
(13) Wild animals. It shall be unlawful to catch, injure, kill, strike, or attempt to strike with any
object or weapon any animals within a public park, excluding fish, which may be
obtained in designated fishing areas following the rules and regulations established by
4F - 12
the state.
(14) Climbing, etc., prohibited. It shall be unlawful to climb any trees or walk, stand or sit
upon monuments, vases, fountains, walls, fences, railings, vehicles, or any other
property not designated or customarily used for such purposes in any public park.
(15) Pollution of waters. It shall be unlawful to throw, discharge to, or otherwise place or
cause to be placed in the waters of any fountain, pond, lake, stream, or other body of
water in or adjacent to any park or any tributary, stream, storm sewer, or drain flowing
into such waters any substance, matter, or anything liquid or solid, which will or may
result in the pollution of said waters.
(16) Boating and swimming. It shall be unlawful to swim, wade, boat, or canoe in any area
unless such area is designated for that purpose; provided, however, the Director of
Community Services may permit the temporary occurrence of such activities for special
programs and events.
(17) Closing of game fields. The Director of Community Services or his designated
representative is authorized to assign any game field owned or leased by the City as a
closed field for maintenance or to protect the surface of the game field from damage. It
shall be unlawful for non-City employees to go upon a game field which has been
designated as a closed field and has posted a sign indicating that "Field is closed.
Trespassing on a closed field could result in a $250.00 - $500.00 fine."
(18) Erecting structures prohibited.
a. No person shall place or erect any structure, sign, bulletin board, post, pole, or
advertising of any kind in a public park, and no stakes may be driven into the
ground.
b. No person shall attach to any tree, shrub, fence, railing, post, or structure within
any public park, any sign, bulletin board, or other advertising device of any kind.
C. The prohibitions contained in subsections a. and b. of this section shall not be
applicable to persons acting pursuant to and with the written authorization of the
Director of Community Services or his designee.
(19) Projectile devices. No person shall possess, fire, or discharge a device capable of
propelling a projectile, including without limitation, any air gun, pistol, bow and arrow,
cross bow, or sling shot in a public park; provided, however, the Director of Community
Services may permit the temporary occurrence of such activities in a public park for
special programs and events.
(20) Sale of merchandise. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell or offer for sale any food,
drinks, confections, merchandise, or services in any park or playground unless such
person has a written agreement or permit issued by the City permitting the sale of such
items in such park or playground. This section shall have no application to sports
organizations or social organizations selling items to their own members, or at functions
sanctioned by the City.
(21) Sound amplification. It shall be unlawful to use any type of sound amplification system in
a public park without the written consent of the Director of Community Services.
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XIII. City Ordinance
Leashing or chaining. It shall be unlawful for an owner to allow any animal to run at large and
not be restrained by means of a leash or chain of sufficient strength and length to control the
actions of such animal while on public property or on property other than that of the owner of the
animal. (Note: Does not apply to Dog Park)
Use of fire pits are allowed in designated areas. Fires may be prohibited entirely if a fire ban is
in effect.
Approval Date: June 21, 2016 Approved by: City Council
Recommendation Date: June 6, 2016 Recommended by: Parks&Recreation Board
Recommendation Date: June 1, 2016 Recommended by: City Council/Parks&Recreation Board Athletics Task Force