TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THRU: Tom Kisela, City Manager
FROM: Sean deMetropolis, Fire Chief
1. Subject
title
Agreement with the American National Red Cross for use of City facilities during disaster-related activities.
body
2. Summary
The American National Red Cross seeks to use designated City facilities as temporary shelters or service centers during disaster response. The agreement allows the Red Cross to request access to Grijalva Park Sports Center, Orange Senior Center, and Shaffer Park for emergency operations. The City retains discretion over facility use.
3. Recommended Action
recommendation
1. Approve the agreement with the American National Red Cross for use of City facilities during disaster-related activities at no cost.
2. Approve the Pet Addendum to the Facility Use Agreement with the American National Red Cross to allow clients’ pets in designated areas.
3. Authorize the City Manager and City Clerk to execute both the Facility Use Agreement and Pet Addendum on behalf of the City.
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4. Fiscal Impact
None. The agreement stipulates that the American National Red Cross will not be charged a fee for facility use during disaster-related activities. The Red Cross will reimburse the City for any damages or reasonable costs for custodial, food service, or utilities incurred due to their use, per the agreement terms.
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 1: Maintain Strong Emergency and Safety Services
Objective1.10: Strengthen interagency coordination and response
6. Discussion and Background
The City of Orange has a history of supporting community resilience during emergencies. The proposed Facility Use Agreement with the American National Red Cross (Red Cross) establishes a framework for the Red Cross to request temporary use of City facilities-specifically Grijalva Park Sports Center, Orange Senior Center, and Shaffer Park-for disaster-related activities such as shelters, service centers, storage, or parking. The agreement ensures that facility use is at the City’s discretion and only activated upon Red Cross request during a disaster.
The agreement outlines responsibilities, including joint facility inspections before and after use to document conditions, and requires the Red Cross to exercise reasonable care and obtain written approval for any modifications. The Red Cross will designate a manager to oversee operations, while the City will appoint a Facility Coordinator to ensure coordination. The Pet Addendum allows clients’ household pets, including service and assistance animals, in designated areas, with the Red Cross responsible for pet welfare compliance through an Animal Welfare Organization.
No fee will be charged for facility use during disaster operations, but the Red Cross will reimburse the City for damages (beyond reasonable wear and tear) and reasonable costs for custodial, food service, or utilities (water, gas, electricity, waste disposal) incurred due to their activities. For federally declared disasters, the City may seek reimbursement through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance Category B program. The agreement term begins upon signing and ends 30 days after written notice by either party.
This agreement strengthens the City’s emergency response capabilities by formalizing a partnership with the Red Cross, aligning with the City’s commitment to public safety and effective disaster management.
7. ATTACHMENTS
• Facility Use Agreement with the American National Red Cross
• Pet Addendum to Facility Use Agreement with the American National Red Cross