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Home My WebLink About8.2 Preview of the People of the Parks (P.O.P.) Programs� STAFF REPORT DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL CALIFORNIA DATE: TO: FROM: SU B.ECT: June 20, 2023 Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers Linda Smith, City Manager Preview of the People of the Parks (P.O.P.) Program Prepared by: Anthony Calvo, Recreation Supervisor EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Agenda Item 8.2 The City Council will receive a preview of a new program being developed by the Parks and Community Services Department. The People of the Parks (P.O.P) is being launched to encourage residents, community organizations, and Dublin businesses to participate in park beautification and environmental stewardship. The P.O.P. program will launch in Summer 2023. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Receive the presentation and provide feedback. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Initial costs and program expenses for the first year are estimated to be between $5,000 and $10,000. This cost will be absorbed in the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Adopted Budget. Any necessary ongoing budget adjustments to ensure program sustainability will be made during the annual budget process and will be subject to City Council approval. DESCRIPTION: Background At its meeting on February 21, 2023, the City Council requested that Staff investigate programs and alternative ways to promote ongoing beautification of City parks, trails, and sidewalks while addressing concerns about litter buildup. Based on this request, Staff began researching similar programs operated by other jurisdictions throughout the Bay Area and the State of California. Many jurisdictions have programs such as Friends of the Parks/Trails, Park/Trail Ambassadors, and the like. Staff has developed a program that is similar but is specifically tailored to the City of Dublin. Page 1 of 3 414 People of the Parks (P.O.P.) Program P.O.P. is an ongoing, incentivized program encouraging community efforts to "Keep Dublin Clean & Green." The program is designed for residents already frequenting parks, sidewalks, and trails and empowers them to support City beautification efforts by carrying a litter stick and bag and keeping those areas free of litter and debris. The program is also designed for people who might not actively use City facilities and amenities but want to start getting involved in taking care of their community. In addition to individualized efforts, group efforts with the ability to adopt a park, trail, or any other agreed -upon location will be recognized. This framework is designed for families, community groups, organizations, and local businesses. Program participants will be provided with vests or tee-shirts created specifically for this program to make them easily identifiable and assist with educating others about the program. P.O.P. Program Details • Program Launch - July/August 2023 • Youth Component - "Park Patrol" will be a branded campaign focusing on preschool and elementary -aged youth participating with family members. • Program Locations - All City parks, trails, and other outdoor facilities/amenities. o Individual efforts may be specific to certain trails, neighborhoods, etc. Participants will be asked to provide location details upon registration. o Group efforts will focus on parks and trails, with larger parks and trail sections being divided to allow for increased participation. City Staff may also create specific areas tailored to an organization's needs. o Staff will maintain a comprehensive database that details volunteer efforts and locations. • Equipment - Upon registration, participants will receive a litter stick, gloves, a program - specific vest or tee-shirt, and a reusable litter collection bag. • Program Tracking - Hours will be tracked on the honor system using easy -to -complete online forms. Participants will be asked to track hours on a per -occurrence basis and submit them for review quarterly. • Requirements - Registration with the City and completion of a Volunteer Waiver. o There are no hour minimums for individualized efforts, although participants are expected to have some level or re -occurring schedule of participation. This can be daily, weekly, bi-weekly, etc. There is no specific term commitment, which can be ongoing for as long as the participant wants to continue. o There are hour minimums on a monthly basis for groups that adopt a specific location. ■ Families are expected to complete eight hours per month (i.e., a family of four Page 2 of 3 415 volunteers twice a month, one hour each for each effort). This equates to approximately 100 hours per year. ■ Organizations/Community Groups/Businesses are expected to complete 16 hours per month or approximately 200 hours per year. ■ Group efforts are expected to commit at least one year to the program and will have the discretion to continue longer. • Incentives - Incentives will be provided quarterly, depending on the number of completed hours. Hours completed will equate to the number of entries into quarterly raffle drawings. Prizes awarded will include City- and program -branded gifts, gift cards to local businesses, free or reduced passes to The Wave, and free or reduced passes to other City programs such as the Shamrock 5k, etc. The estimated value and/or cost for incentives is estimated to be around $2,000 annually. • Sponsorships - Staff will seek cash and in -kind donations to help offset program costs, such as litter pickup kits. In -kind donations will also be made available as part of the incentives raffled off each quarter. Next Steps Following feedback from the City Council, Staff will begin preparing the program for launch, including developing marketing and outreach materials, procuring supplies, creating registration and tracking forms, and completing other administrative tasks necessary. The Parks and Community Services Department will review P.O.P. annually to ensure program outcomes are being met. Modifications, if necessary, will be made to meet the specific needs of participants and the community. STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE: None. NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH: The City Council Agenda was posted. ATTACHMENTS: None. Page 3 of 3 416 Preview of the People of the Parks (RO.R) Program June 20, 2023 DUBLIN CALIFORNIA 417 Background • Follow up on a request made at the February 21, 2023, City Council meeting. • Research/Review of similar programs such as Friends of Groups, Park/Trail Ambassadors/Stewards — Led to the development of a program specifically tailored to Dublin. • People of the Parks (RO.R) — Ongoing, incentivized program encouraging community efforts to "Keep Dublin Clean & Green" — Designed for residents already frequenting parks, sidewalks, and trails as well as those who might not — Empowers participants to support City beautification efforts and take care of their community P.O.P. Program • Youth,Adult, and Family Component — Self -tracked incentivized program • Business, Group,Team, Organization Component - Commit a specific park/trail/street location within the City • Program Start -Up — Pre -Registration Required — VolunteerWaiver on file with the City — City Provided Equipment - Litter stick, gloves, vest or tee-shirt, and a reusable litter collection bag • Incentives — Quarterly drawing — Dependent on hours logged — City branded gifts, gift cards to local businesses, and City programs • Next Steps — Seek feedback — Launch Summer 2023 — Annual Review R4 DUBLIN CALIFORNIA 419 Questions? 420