Item A: River Road/Santa Clara Transition Project

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? River Road Transition Option No. 1: Immediate River Road Parks and Recreation District Dissolution – The Districtwould simply cease operations and dispose of its assets as it sees fit and to the extent there is a market for such assets. Advantages: Recognizes the probable “ultimate” parks and recreation service configuration for River Road under current regional policy (e.g.: City provides services within its boundaries) Challenges: Eliminates a popular and successful community institution perhaps “before its time”; means the loss of a local governance option for the neighborhood; potential lose of a community “center” (if no operator for Emerald Park is found) ? River Road Transition Option No. 2: Dissolution Agreement with City – Negotiate an agreement with the City for transition decision-making, timing of dissolution, disposal or transfer of assets, and transfer of employment of District staff (note: such an agreement has been the subject of active discussion between the District and the City in the past year, and could still be a pragmatic element of an overall strategy for sustaining the District for a considerable period of time). Advantages: Provides clarity to the timing of the District’s dissolution, disposal of assets, future of District employees, etc. Challenges: Local investment in and support of the District may diminish once the transition is underway; may send the wrong message to District taxpayers and patrons (e.g.: that the District no longer needs community support or patronage). ? River Road Transition Option No. 3: Contract for Recreation Services through City - Negotiate an agreement with the City that specifies long-term decision-making arrangements, timing of the transition of the District from a direct to a contract service provider, disposal or transfer of assets, and transfer of employment of District staff.District would continue as a governance body but all services would be supplied by the City under contract (similar to how the City provides fire protection services to all of River Road through a contract with the River Road Water District). Advantages: Provides clarity to the timing of the District’s disposal of assets, future of District employees, etc.; continues an element of neighborhood governance in recreation service delivered to River Road (e.g.: the District would still be an independently governed special district) Challenges: Local investment in and support of the District may diminish once the transition is underway; still eliminates many elements of local control; may weaken and diminish status of the District as a key local institution ? Santa Clara Transition Options – As there are currently no “resident’ recreation services for non-City property in Santa Clara, there are no services to transition and thus no transition options to delineate. Options for recreation services to this neighborhood are discussed under Santa Clara Heritage Options below. Heritage Options Heritage options are those that will sustain the River Road Parks and Recreation District as a viable neighborhood service provider for the foreseeable future or create other viable entities for providing neighborhood governed recreation services. ? River Road Heritage Option No. 1: Maintain Current Service Arrangements – Continue to provide River Road Parks and Recreation District services as at present with the current out-of- District fees and City payment structure. A major impediment to the long-term viability of this option is the continued pace of annexation combined with factors as increases in operating costs 30 River Road/Santa Clara Transition/Heritage White Paper DRAFT 11-24-05 Service provider Review