Southgate approves five-year Street Soccer USA agreement, waives ~$5,146 in permit fees

The Southgate City Council voted to approve a professional services agreement with Street Soccer USA for a licensed, nonexclusive soccer facility at Holiday Regional Park. The agreement includes a five-year term, insurance and indemnity protections for the city, and a grant of a license (site exhibit) to place artificial turf on a portion of the park.

City staff and the city attorney told the council the draft follows the city’s standard template for insurance and indemnity while keeping maintenance obligations and ownership of the turf with Street Soccer USA rather than the city. The license is nonexclusive, may be terminated by the city with 180 days’ notice, and will include an exhibit showing the intended field location. Staff asked the council to authorize the city manager to finalize license terms in a form approved by the city attorney.

Parks and recreation staff requested a waiver of building-permit fees associated with the installation; the staff estimate for permit fees was $5,146.27. Parks and rec staff said they recommend the waiver in recognition of the programming and community services Street Soccer USA will provide.

Luca Martin, director of Street Soccer Los Angeles, said the organization has signed the agreement draft, carries insurance, and will provide high-quality programming including coaching and community employment opportunities; he said the turf technology includes rubber beading designed to reduce turf burn. Councilmembers asked applicants about injury liability, security and a time frame for installation; Street Soccer USA said it is raising operational funds for programming, equipment and local staffing, and plans to prioritize hires from the Southgate community.

Councilmembers also asked about park-hour changes (dusk-to-dawn), pathway lighting and security; staff said those operational items remain under parks control and may be addressed through the final license terms and separate grant opportunities (for example, solar pathway lighting).

A motion—amending the recommended action to note the agreement is a professional services agreement containing a license exhibit—was made, seconded and approved by roll call. The council authorized the city manager or designee to finalize the agreement and to waive the building-permit fees in a form approved by the city attorney.

Implementation notes: the agreement allows the city to terminate with 180 days’ notice and leaves day-to-day program control to the parks department; staff said the license exhibit (site map) and minor non-substantive changes remain to be finalized before execution.