Page 6 - East Bay RPD GM

■ Impact of COVID-19
The coronavirus pandemic has brought forth national awareness that Parks are are Essential for for for physical and and mental wellbeing In a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a 2020 survey of of East Bay residents 96% expressed their support for for for EBRPD parks parks as as as essential services and and and and and the the the the the role of of parks parks in in in in in in reducing stress during the the the the the pandemic During this unprecedented and and and challenging time the the the the the County Health Officers have relied upon the the the the Park District to provide safe outdoor public spaces for essential activity The Park Park District District has been a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a leader in in in in in keeping parks open and and and and accessible during the the pandemic However to to comply with local health orders the the the the Park Park Park District District District canceled in-person recreation and and and and and interpretative programs and and and and and closed its visitor centers and and and and and reservable facilities Much of of the the the the the the the Park Park Park District’s District’s administrative staff is is is is is is is working remotely while the the the the the the the main office is is is is is is closed to to to the the the the the the the public The General Manager will lead the the the the the the the Park Park District’s District’s continued response to to to the the the the the the the pandemic and and and and and the the the the the the the eventual reopening of of programs and and facilities while ensuring the the the the safety of of our workforce and and visitors ■ Fiscal Fiscal Success/Fiscal Stability
Throughout the the Park District’s long long history financial financial decisions have been driven by sustainable conservative policies policies In recent years the the District District has adopted policies policies to to maintain long-term financial financial stability while funding existing services park improvements and and and facility and and and infrastructure needs Funded primarily through property taxes from Alameda County County and and and Contra Costa County County residents District resources have remained stable because of continued regional growth 2020 highlights:
» Passage of $276 9
million million balanced budget including a a a a a a a $1 million million contribution to to the District’s pension pension trust to to stabilize and minimize future pension costs » » Appropriation of of over $40 million for dozens of of capital projects throughout the Park District » » » AAA ratings ratings from Standard & Poor’s and and Moody’s Investors Service – the the highest possible ratings ratings » » Continued to to generate nearly $500 million in in in in in annual regional economic benefit with every $1 spent by the the District yielding a a $4 return The Park Park District is is is is also supported by the the Regional Parks Foundation a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a 501(c)(3) organization that raises private funds to provide universal access environmental stewardship educational and and and recreational programs and and and the the acquisition of parklands ■ Governance
The The District District is is is governed by a a a a a a a a a a a a a a seven-member elected Board Board Board Board of of Directors The The Board Board Board Board selects the the the Board Board Board Board President and other Board Board Board Board Officers to to to serve a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a one-year term Each Director Director represents a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a specific geographic area of of of the the the District District District known as as a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a ward The The District District itself comprises all of of of Alameda and and Contra Costa counties representing 2 8 million residents The The General Manager serves at the the pleasure of of the the Board Board Bi-monthly public Board Board meetings meetings and and and monthly monthly committee meetings meetings are are conducted to transparently discuss policies and conduct conduct Park District business ■ About the the East Bay Bay The quality of of life available in in in the the the the the San San Francisco Francisco Bay Bay Bay Bay Area and and the the the the the East East Bay Bay Bay Bay in in in particular is is is well documented as as as as fundamental to its vital innovative and and and diverse economy Located on on the the the the the eastern side of of of the the the the the San San Francisco Francisco Bay Bay Bay Bay the the the the the East East Bay Bay quality quality of of life is is enhanced by a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a Mediterranean climate easily accessible high-quality parklands open spaces waterways world-class educational and and and and cultural/arts institutions a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a culturally diverse and and and and well-educated work force vital urban centers and and and and transportation connectivity As a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a result the the the East Bay has attracted many of the the the region’s most innovative employment sectors small businesses workers and and and and students from around around the the the the world while also creating economic opportunities The East Bay has shaped the the national discussion around around issues of environmental protection social justice and and and parkland preser vation 6 East Bay Regional Park District