To: Ellen Ellenburg, Public Works Committee Chairperson
From: Patrick Linihan, Parks and Recreation Director
title
RE: Approval of an agreement between Genesee County and the Flint River Watershed Coalition assigning and transferring the operation and current programs of the Flint River Watershed Coalition to the Genesee County's Parks & Recreation Commission
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Genesee County Parks and Recreation staff requests the approval of a Supporting Organization Agreement (SOA) with Flint River Watershed Coalition, assigning and transferring the operation and current programs of the Flint River Watershed Coalition (FRWC) to Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission.
BACKGROUND:
The Flint River Watershed Coalition (FRWC) is a Michigan non-profit corporation and is the leading community-based program for clean water resources. Their mission has been partnering to protect, promote, and improve the Flint River Watershed. Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission (GCPRC) shares similar missions and values, providing quality recreational opportunities for everyone and the preservation of natural resources.
The FRWC wishes to transfer all rights of the FRWC program to the Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission. With this transfer, GCPRC will continue the programs and efforts of the program, promoting Ecosystem Health, Community Health, Economic Health, and Education and Recreation.
DISCUSSION:
With approval of the proposed SOA, the current FRWC board shall change its name to “Friends of the Flint River Watershed”, amending its organizational documents to classify as a supporting organization for the GCPRC. GCRPC shall have rights to the name “Flint River Watershed” and will be the sole owner of the FRWC program.
“Friends of the Flint River Watershed” shall act in an advisory and supporting capacity to the GCPRC, serve as fiduciary for grants and funding as appropriate, complement and support the activities of the GCPRC.
The parties shall cooperate in the assignment or transfer of any grants or other programs operated or administered by the FRWC to GCPRC.
GCPRC will work to establish and fill staff positions; GCPRC shall have the right, but not obligation, to employ the persons who are employed by the FRWC.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
None.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
NO USE OF PARKS FUND. NO USE OF GENERAL FUND.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
None.
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
None.
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
Approval of the SOA expands the role of the county as convener to enhance relationships that contribute to the growth of our community, promoting collaboration with other agencies and entities, promotes environmental stewardship, expands communication of available resources and services to our residents, and promotes public health to create safer and healthier residents.
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
WHEREAS, the Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission is dedicated to quality recreational opportunities for everyone and preservation of natural resources; and
WHEREAS, the Flint River Watershed Coalition is dedicated to partnering to protect, promote, and improve the Flint River and its watershed; and
WHEREAS, the Flint River Watershed Coalition has submitted a Supporting Organization Agreement to transfer all rights of the Flint River Watershed Coalition program to the Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission; and
WHEREAS, the Flint River Watershed Coalition board will serve in an advisory and supporting capacity to the Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission classified as a supporting organization; and
WHEREAS, the Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission submitted formal support, per RESOLUTION No. --- -24, for the transfer of the Flint River Watershed Coalition to the Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission, operating as a program of the Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission, at the regularly scheduled meeting of the Parks Commission on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the request by the Parks and Recreation Director to authorize approval of the Supporting Organization Agreement in support of the Flint River Watershed Coalition mission and efforts is approved (a copy of the memorandum request and supporting documents being on file with the official records of the November 13, 2024 meeting of the Public Works Committee of this Board), and the Chairperson of this Board is authorized to execute the Agreement on behalf of Genesee County.