REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: AARON A. AGUIRRE, Director Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department SHELBY MACNAB, MPA, Assistant Director Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department BY: CHANELL WEST, MPA, Senior Management Analyst Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department SUBJECT ..Title ***RESOLUTION - Authorizing the City Manager or Designee to Apply for and Accept up to $500,000 from Fresno Unified School District to Fund Blue Space Aquatics Programming at up to Seven High Schools and up to Four City of Fresno Pool Locations During Summer 2026 (Citywide) (Subject to Mayor's Veto) ..Body RECOMMENDATION Staff recommend that the City Council adopt the resolution authorizing the application for and acceptance of up to $500,000 from Fresno Unified School District (FUSD) to fund aquatics programming at FUSD and/or City of Fresno pools during the Summer 2026 season. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Parks, After School, Recreation, and Community Services Department (PARCS) is seeking authorization to submit a proposal to FUSD to fund aquatics programming as part of the 2026 Blue Space Program and to accept the funding if awarded. Adoption of the resolution will authorize submittal of the proposal. Applications to FUSD are expected to be due in early 2026. BACKGROUND Each summer, the PARCS Department and FUSD collaborate to provide swim lessons and recreational swim to the community through the "Blue Space Program". As part of this program FUSD provides funding for lifeguards, staff and supplies, as well as access to up to seven high school pools (Bullard, Edison, Fresno High, Hoover, McLane, Roosevelt, and Sunnyside). The City of Fresno hires, trains and supervises Red Cross certified lifeguards to operate the pools. FUSD periodically releases a call for proposals to fund extended learning opportunities like summer aquatics programming. The next opportunity to request funding is expected to be released in early 2026. Staff are seeking authority to submit a proposal requesting reimbursement from FUSD in an amount not to exceed $500,000. This funding will be used by the City to hire and train lifeguards to operate aquatics programming at up to seven FUSD pools and/or four City of Fresno pools to extend access to blue space. Funding will also be used to purchase necessary items like uniforms, safety equipment, registration equipment and for costs associated with promotion and registration. Partnering with FUSD will allow the City to serve more community members and reduce transportation barriers to participation in aquatics. The Blue Space Program will also support investments in youth employment as the City and FUSD collaborate to promote lifeguard employment opportunities to high school students. In Summer 2025, the city employed 80 FUSD students in the Blue Space Program. The PARCS Department and FUSD will cross-promote access to swim lessons and recreational swim to encourage community participation. Staff anticipate bringing a related facility use agreement before Council in 2026. This resolution has been reviewed by the City Attorney's Office. ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS Based on the definition provided in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, this item does not qualify as a "project" for the purposes of CEQA. LOCAL PREFERENCE Local preference is not applicable as this resolution does not include a bid, or an award of a construction or services contract. FISCAL IMPACT There are no match requirements and no impacts to the General Fund. If awarded, the funding will be amended into the PARCS Department budget. Attachment: Resolution