Councilmember Brooke Pinto Introduces the FUN for All Act to Ensure Fairness in Use and Negotiation for All District owned Recreational Property
Washington, D.C.– Today, Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto introduced the “Fairness in Use and Negotiation for All Recreational Property Act of 2021.” The purpose of the FUN for All Act is to ensure that all residents have fair access to District owned recreational property. The FUN for All Act ensures there is meaningful public engagement and Council oversight of all exclusive use or license agreements for District-owned recreational property that cover a period of one year or more. The legislation was co-introduced by Councilmembers Elissa Silverman, Christina Henderson, Robert C. White Jr., Janeese Lewis George, Mary M. Cheh and Trayon White, Sr.
Currently, if an agreement has a value of less than $1 million, District law allows the lease of public recreational space for years or even decades without public input or Council review, to a private entity. Thus, in numerous instances over the past several years, District recreational property has been leased without any public notice and often over community and Council opposition.
“All District residents, and especially our kids, deserve to have fun in the use and enjoyment of our recreational facilities,” said Councilmember Pinto. “While lease and license agreements might allow for significant improvements to District assets at little cost to the District, residents and the Council should be afforded the opportunity to review the agreements before the community loses their right to use these parks, playing fields, and other facilities held in the public trust.”
To ensure that there is oversight of these agreements and allow for community input, the FUN for All Act requires:
1. Meaningful public engagement: The Executive must hold at least one public hearing to obtain community input to inform the determination whether a property should be exclusively leased. In addition, at least 30 days’ written notice of the public hearing must be provided to the affected Advisory Neighborhood Commissions.
2. Notice to and Approval by the Council: The Executive must submit a proposed resolution and analysis regarding the exclusive agreement to the Council for review and approval. The resolution must include an analysis that includes: a description of the terms of the agreement; the District’s current use of the property and why the District’s use of the property should be limited or cease; a description of potential public uses of the property considered by the Executive; a narrative as to why the property is better suited for the purpose described in the agreement rather than for public uses considered by the Executive; an explanation why the agreement is in the best interests of the District; an explanation of any impact that the proposed exclusive agreement is expected to have on racial equity in the District; and a summary of public comments received at the public hearing.
“Our residents deserve the right to be engaged on important decisions affecting our city’s recreational facilities. These facilities serve all residents and when changes are made limiting access, there must be community engagement.” said Councilmember Pinto. “I’m confident that with these measures and Council oversight we can ensure that all residents can have fun using our recreational facilities.” By enacting this measure, Councilmember Pinto is working to ensure that the use of the District’s recreational facilities is equitable and fair.
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