CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to the Department of Parks and Recreation; authorizing the execution of a Partnership Agreement for the Activation and Programming of Westlake Park and Occidental Square; and ratifying and confirming certain prior acts.
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WHEREAS, pursuant to Article XI of the Seattle Charter, the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation (Superintendent) has the responsibility for the operation and control of the parks and recreation system of the City; and
WHEREAS, in 2006, the Downtown Parks and Public Spaces Task Force Report put forth a charge and vision for Downtown Parks Central with a recommendation to “foster a Downtown Parks Renaissance through a new partnership between the City and the downtown community;” and
WHEREAS, since 2006, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) has partnered with the downtown community to carry out the recommendations of the Task Force to employ programming and events to deter negative activity and bring positive uses to Seattle’s downtown parks; and
WHEREAS, DBIA Services is an experienced nonprofit organization that has long been a partner with DPR to create safe and lively downtown public parks; and
WHEREAS, DPR entered into an Agreement with DBIA Services (DBIA), a Washington non-profit corporation, to conduct an experimental one-year pilot project from May 5, 2015 through April 30, 2016 to significantly increase the activation and programming services of Westlake Park and Occidental Square, as authorized by City Council Ordinance 124865; and
WHEREAS, the expiration of the one-year agreement was extended to July 31, 2016 by City Council Ordinance 125030; and
WHEREAS, Seattle voters approved the Seattle Park District, a metropolitan park district authorized by Chapter 35.61 of the Revised Code of Washington, providing funding for the Urban Parks Partnership Investment Initiative 4.11 to “expand programming and activation and provide research and seed money for a new management/partnership model for downtown parks;” and
WHEREAS, the Urban Parks Partnership Investment Initiative 4.11, as part of the Seattle Park District’s six-year plan, allows for the opportunity to fund a long term sustainable activation plan to activate Westlake Park and Occidental Square; and
WHEREAS, in December 2015, as part of the Urban Parks Investment Initiative funding, DPR invited all community organizations interested in a multi-year partnership with the City for the activation and programming of Westlake Park and Occidental Square to submit proposals to the City through a publicly advertised request for proposal process; and
WHEREAS, following a formal and thorough review process of the submitted proposals, the DPR evaluation panel determined the strongest proposal to be that of DBIA; and
WHEREAS, the Superintendent of DPR has negotiated and agreed to a five-year partnership agreement with DBIA for continued and expanded activation, programming and coordination services at Westlake Park and Occidental Square, by DBIA managing the permitting and scheduling of all activation, programming, concessions, vending, and special events while the Department maintains the responsibility for, and permitting of, all First Amendment and free speech activities at these City parks; and
WHEREAS, the Department requests the City Council to authorize the partnership agreement between The City of Seattle (City) and DBIA for the activation and programming services of Westlake Park and Occidental Square to increase the opportunities for positive public use and enjoyment of these City parks and to foster a new community based partnership model with the City for the management of downtown City parks;
NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, or the Superintendent’s designee, is authorized to execute, between The City of Seattle and DBIA Services, a Washington non-profit corporation, the agreement attached to this ordinance as Attachment 1, “Partnership Agreement: Activation and Programming Agreement for Westlake Park and Occidental Square.”
Section 2. Any act consistent with the authority of this ordinance taken before its effective date is hereby ratified and confirmed.
Section 3. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force 30 days after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Section 1.04.020.
Passed by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2016, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this _____ day of _________________________, 2016.
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President ____________ of the City Council
Approved by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2016.
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Edward B. Murray, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2016.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Partnership Agreement: Activation and Programming Agreement for Westlake Park and Occidental Square
Exhibit A - Scope of Work
Exhibit B - Permitting Protocols Including Allowable Fees and Charges
Exhibit C - Principles and Thresholds to Guide Aesthetic and Functional Improvements to Westlake Park and Occidental Square
Exhibit D - Baseline Maintenance Service Levels
Exhibit E - Bi-Annual Reporting Commitments
Exhibit F - Occidental Square Legal Description