§ 74-74. Sports leagues, associations, and organizations.

(a)

Sports association member organizations may enter into a memorandum of understanding for use of park facilities for team tryouts, practices, games or post season tournaments. It is prohibited for any sports league, sports association or sports organization of any kind to use any park facility for team tryouts, practices, games or post season tournaments, unless the organization has executed a memorandum of understanding with the city and is in full compliance with such agreement or unless such use has otherwise been previously approved in writing by the director.

(b)

Only recognized user groups may execute a memorandum of understanding with the city. Recognized user groups are limited to one group per recreational sport.

(c)

Obtaining recognized user group status:

(1)

Groups, clubs or leagues must complete a recognized user group application and submit it for review a minimum of three months prior to the planned season start date to be considered. The following factors shall be considered as significant reasons to consider granting recognized status to a new group, club or association:

a.

New organizations caused by a mandated split due to national or state association bylaws of a currently recognized sport;

b.

A different activity or sport that is not currently offered or cannot be offered by existing organizations. The city will recognize only one sport group to deliver that sport to the city's residents; and

c.

Facilities, staff and funding by the department must be available to recognize the new groups, clubs or leagues.

(2)

Minimum requirements for each applicant applying for a recognized user group status are:

a.

Written evidence of a need for the sport sought to be offered;

b.

Registration of no less than 50 persons;

c.

Ninety percent of all participants must be residents of the city;

d.

One hundred percent of the games played on city fields must include city teams;

e.

Non-profit certification with the State of Texas;

f.

Submittal of bylaws for the organization including protocols for background checks and grievance procedures; and

g.

Commitment to provide annual financials including revenues and expenditures to the city upon city's request and in a format required by the city.

(d)

Maintaining the recognized user group status requires:

(1)

Completion of the memorandum of understanding annually;

(2)

Compliance with the terms and conditions of the memorandum of understanding;

(3)

Attending an annual meeting with the department;

(4)

Submittal to the city of the annual financials including revenues and expenditures upon city's request and in a format required by the city;

(5)

Submittal of the number of participants for each league including a breakdown of residents and nonresidents;

(6)

Anticipated number of participants for upcoming leagues; and

(7)

Proof of insurance, with such coverages and minimum limits as are satisfactory to the city, identifying the city as an additional insured and/or providing the city with a waiver of subrogation.

(e)

The city reserves the right to suspend or revoke a recognized user group if the group does not adhere to the terms of the memorandum of understanding.

(f)

The city reserves the right to close, cancel or postpone the use of park facilities at any time for maintenance, safety, inclement weather and other reasons deemed in the best interest of the public.

(g)

The recognized user group may appeal its suspension or revocation within five days of the action by written letter to the city manager. While under appeal, the league may not use any park facilities. The city manager shall respond to the appeal in writing within ten days of receipt.

(h)

Prevention of participation in any sport based on financial capabilities, race, color, creed, national origin, religion, sex or disability is strictly prohibited.

(i)

Facility allocation and seasons for each of the recognized user groups shall be included in the memorandum of understanding. The memorandum of understanding shall be for a one-year timeframe effective January 1 of each year.

(j)

The city reserves the right to reserve park facilities at any time not allocated and included in the memorandum of understanding for the recognized user groups. Fees may be charged at a rate established by the department.

(Ord. No. 2015-06-057, § 2, 6-16-2015)