Committee approves Case Western Reserve contract to run summer youth sports program; council asks for budget detail
Summary
Committee approved Ordinance No. 550‑2025 authorizing contracts with Case Western Reserve University to operate a five‑week youth summer sports, nutrition and life‑skills program under the National Youth Sports Program and requested a detailed budget breakdown of the $150,000 estimated cost.
The Municipal Services and Properties Committee approved Ordinance No. 550‑2025 to authorize one or more contracts with Case Western Reserve University to provide a youth summer sports, nutrition and life‑skills development program under the National Youth Sports Program for summer 2025. The director of Parks and Recreation described the program as longstanding and camp‑style and said the department sought council support to continue participation.
The director told the committee the program “has been going on for many years” and that the city recommends continuing involvement. Council members asked for a more detailed breakdown of the $150,000 estimated budget for the five‑week program. The director said “we do not anticipate any additional cost for this 5 week program” and that “most of those funds are for instruction” with another portion “for meals that this participants receive daily.” The director offered to provide a more complete cost breakdown.
Several councilmembers raised equity and consistency questions about using general‑fund dollars to support meals at this program but frequently denying council discretionary (councilmatic) funds for meal support in neighborhood summer programs. Councilman Anthony Harrison and Councilman Brian Casey specifically requested administration and policy staff to research and report back on the difference between administration‑funded meal support for departmental programs and requests councilmembers make for discretionary funds to support neighborhood programs.
The ordinance passed in committee and members were asked to sign the legislation.
