Title
Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of Resolution Amending Master Fee Resolution No. 12191 to Add and Revise Recreation and Park Fees for Calendar Year 2025. (Recreation and Parks 10051400)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Alameda (City) Recreation and Parks Department (ARPD) annually recommends updates for ARPD fees for implementation on January 1 of the following year. The proposed 2025 fee schedule was reviewed and recommended for approval by the Recreation and Parks Commission on November 14, 2024. The proposed fee adjustment is generally a five to ten percent (5-10%) increase for Residents and ten to fifteen percent (10-15%) increase for Non-Residents for most programs, with some exceptions described below.
BACKGROUND
On January 22, 1992, City Council adopted Resolution Number 12191, codifying all fees for services into a Citywide fee schedule (Fee Schedule). This Fee Schedule is updated each year, via resolution, to reflect changes in the cost of providing services as well as in the Consumer Price Index for the San Francisco Bay Area.
The proposed Recreation and Park User Fees (Exhibit 1) are reviewed annually by the City's Recreation and Parks Commission with its recommendation brought forward to City Council for final approval. ARPD staff reviewed the current fees and recommended adjustments based on its expenses in combination with fee comparisons with other local jurisdictions including San Leandro, Emeryville, Piedmont, Fremont, Union City, and San Ramon, and comparisons for large rental venues in Alameda.
The Fee Schedule generally is updated annually as part of the City budget process, which begins July 1. Due to the timing of summer recreation programs, the ARPD User Fee Schedule is adopted earlier, with an implementation date of January 1. However, the school-year fees are noted separately with a start date of August to coincide with the start of the school year.
DISCUSSION
Fees represent direct costs for program staff time, facility maintenance and utilities, plus indirect costs for administrative staff time and supplies. Fees are intended to recover costs while balancing the benefits for the community and individuals. For example, programs that are available to a broad section of the community as well as at-risk populations, such as the free mobile recreation program, free events and classes, and Mastick Senior Center activities have a lower cost recovery rate than programs with specific group or individual benefit, such as facility rentals, summer camps, or adult sports leagues with a higher cost recovery rate. This creates a framework to offset and balance the total budget and help fund administrative costs.
For the past two years ARPD focused on minimal fee increases for most programs to keep fees lower for the community. As described below, fees were added or adjusted for the proposed 2025 Recreation and Park User Fee Schedule to address rising staff and supply costs and to create opportunities for new programming and rentals. The overall market and cost comparison relative to programs in other cities and in Alameda were also considered (Exhibit 2). Given that staff, supplies, and utility costs increase affect all programs and activities, the proposed fee schedule includes 5-10% fee increase for Residents and a 10-15% increase for Non-Residents across most programs. However, some fees were identified as significantly below market rate and require a phasing plan to bring them into alignment. The pool rental fees are mainly affected and ARPD is proposing a 3-year implantation plan to align with the opening of the Aquatic Center and Emma Hood Swim Center.
The department is proposing the following fee changes:
|
Resident Youth |
Existing 2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
2027 |
|
Per Lane Fee per hour (Lifeguard Fee Additional) |
$2.88 |
$5.00 |
$7.5 |
$10 |
|
Market Rate *See Exhibit 2 |
$10 |
|
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|
|
Resident Adult |
Existing 2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
2027 |
|
Per Lane Fee per hour (Lifeguard Fee Additional) |
$4.11 |
$7.75 |
$11.33 |
$15 |
|
Market Rate *See Exhibit 2 |
$15 |
|
|
|
Staff sent the proposed user fee increases to all user groups for feedback and to answer any questions on the increases. ARPD also invited all user groups to a zoom meeting to share any feedback about the proposed fees. Only one user group attended the meeting and expressed concerns about the proposed pool rental fees. Staff incorporated the feedback and created the phased increases over three years. ARPD received no other responses from user groups.
The following fees are proposed for 2025. Any increased fees are noted in bold and a brief description of the justification for fee increases is included in italics at the end of each section.
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RECREATION AND PARK DEPARTMENT |
|
2025 User Fee Schedule and 2024 Comparison |
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2025 Fees |
2024 Fees |
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ATHLETIC FIELDS |
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Youth Organization (75% Resident) |
$10 / hour |
$9 / hour |
|
Synthetic Turf Field - Youth Organization (75% Resident) |
$41 / hour |
$39 / hour |
|
Synthetic Turf Field - Youth Organization (less than 75% Resident) |
$62 / hour |
$56 / hour |
|
Synthetic Turf Field - Residents |
$70 / hour |
$66 / hour |
|
Synthetic Turf Field - Non-Residents |
$86 / hour |
$78 / hour |
|
Field Light Use |
$38 / hour plus hourly fee |
$36 / hour plus hourly fee |
|
Field Clean-Up & Lock Up Fee (Goals & Gates) |
$75 per incident + hourly fee |
$50 per incident |
|
This fee is being incrementally increased each year to improve cost recovery of field maintenance and supplies such as fertilizer, infield dirt, and equipment maintenance The Synthetic Turf Field fees have not changed for 2yrs and costs have increased. |
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BOCCE BALL COURTS - 3-Hour Minimum (except weekdays) |
|
|
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Resident |
$13 / hour |
$12 / hour |
|
Non-Resident |
$15 / hour |
$14 / hour |
|
Bocce Ball Party (ages 16 +) |
$35 / hour |
|
|
This fee has not been increased in 2 years and administrative costs have increased. The Bocce Ball Party fee is new due to requests. |
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COURT FACILITIES - Tennis, Pickleball, Outdoor Basketball |
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Per Court Rental |
|
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Resident |
$13 / hour |
$12 / hour |
|
Non-Resident |
$18 / hour |
$16 / hour |
|
Fee increases to cover increased costs of utilities and maintenance and repairs. |
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POOL RENTAL (3-Hour Minimum) |
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Non-Alameda Non-Profit |
$20 / hour / lane + lifeguard cost |
$95 / hour /pool |
|
Resident Youth Teams (75% Alameda Participants) Encinal |
$5 / hour / lane + lifeguard cost |
$26 / hour / pool |
|
Resident Adult Teams (75% Alameda Participants) Encinal |
$7.75 / hour / lane + lifeguard cost |
$37 / hour / pool |
|
Non-Resident Youth Teams |
$20 / hour / lane + lifeguard cost |
|
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Non-Resident Adult Teams |
$25 / hour / lane + lifeguard cost |
|
|
Lifeguard Fee - Resident |
$25 / hour / per lifeguard |
$19 / hour / pool |
|
Lifeguard Fee - Non-Resident |
$30 / hour / per lifeguard |
$21 / hour / pool |
|
City Swim Championships |
fee determined based on recovering costs + admin costs |
$250 / event |
|
Pool rental fees increased due to increases in operating expenses and below market rates. The proposed fees for Resident-Youth and Adult teams will be phased over 3 years. The proposed fees represent the first increase of the 3-year phasing. |
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PARK & PICNIC RENTAL |
|
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Still Photography Photo Shoot |
$300 / day plus hourly facility rental |
$260 / day plus hourly facility rental |
|
Live Film Shoot (In Addition to Other Use Fees) - Commercia |
$1,000 half day / $1,500 full day plus rental |
$750 half day / $1,250 full day plus rental |
|
Outside Contractor Park Use (range varies due to frequency) |
$250 - $400 yearly + liability insurance |
$250 yearly + liability insurance |
|
End of School Classroom Year Picnic Rental Discount / Alameda Schools Only |
$30 / day / classroom |
$30/day |
|
Large Group (100+) Event Cleaning Fee |
$55 R / $75 NR / hour |
|
|
Special Event Open Space Usage Fee |
$300 / hour (additional charges may apply) |
$250 / hour (additional charges may apply) |
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Picnic Areas Resident & Alameda Non-Profit (3-Hour Minimum) |
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Small Area (1 - 2 tables) |
$37 / hour |
$35 / hour |
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Medium Area (3 - 4 tables) |
$58 / hour |
$55 / hour |
|
Large Area (5+ tables) |
$89 / hour |
$85 / hour |
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Picnic Areas Non-Resident & Non-Alameda Non-Profit (3-Hour Min) |
|
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|
Small Area (1 - 2 tables) |
$61 / hour |
$55 / hour |
|
Medium Area (3 - 4 tables) |
$94 / hour |
$85 / hour |
|
Large Area (5+ tables) |
$149 / hour |
$135 / hour |
|
Fee increase is due to increased administrative costs. |
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FACILITY RENTAL - (3-Hour Minimum) |
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Non-Active Military Personnel Discount - Resident |
10% discount |
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Additional Fees for Recreation Centers |
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Bayport, Leydecker, Krusi and Washington Park Centers |
|
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|
Alameda Non-Profit |
$75 / hour |
$71 / hour |
|
Resident |
$100 / hour |
$95 / hour |
|
Non-Resident |
$132 / hour |
$120 / hour |
|
Lincoln Park (Harrison) Recreation Center |
|
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|
Alameda Non-Profit |
$99 / hour |
$94 / hour |
|
Resident |
$132 / hour |
$125 / hour |
|
Non-Resident |
$182 / hour |
$165 / hour |
|
Fee increase is due to increased administrative and staffing costs. Fees have remained unchanged for 2 years |
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RECREATION AND PARK DEPARTMENT |
|
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2025 User Fee Schedule and 2024 Comparison |
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O'CLUB RENTAL (4-Hour Minimum) |
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Garden Set Up including Table/Chair Rental |
$150 / event + actual cost for chair rental |
$250 / event |
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Kitchen Use, Event Set Up & Clean Up including Table/Chair Rental |
$425 / event |
$250 / event |
|
Alameda Resident |
|
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Main Room |
$195 / hour |
$185 / hour |
|
Trident Room |
$165 / hour |
$155 / hour |
|
Terrace Room |
$135 / hour |
$125 / hour |
|
Squadron Room |
$85 / hour |
$75 / hour |
|
Non-Resident and Non-Alameda Non-Profits |
|
|
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Main Room |
$264 / hour |
$240 / hour |
|
Trident Room |
$225 / hour |
$205 / hour |
|
Terrace Room |
$188 / hour |
$170 / hour |
|
Squadron Room |
$115 / hour |
$105 / hour |
|
Fee increase is due to increased utilities costs, cleaning fees, and administrative and staffing costs. |
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AQUATICS |
|
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Group Swim Lessons, all ages, 30 minutes |
|
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Resident |
$13 / lesson |
$12 / lesson |
|
Non-Resident |
$15 / lesson |
$14 / lesson |
|
Semi-Private Swim Lessons, ages 3-15, 30 minutes |
|
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Resident |
$32 / lesson |
$27 / lesson |
|
Non-Resident |
$39 / lesson |
$34 / lesson |
|
Private Swim Lessons, ages 3-15, 30 minutes |
|
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Resident |
$45 / lesson * approved for FY 2024-25 budget |
$34 / lesson |
|
Non-Resident |
$50 / lesson * approved for FY 2024-25 budget |
$39 / lesson |
|
Specialty Aquatic Classes / Camp |
based on instructor or contract fee |
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Specialty Aquatic Classes / Camp Materials |
based on actual cost of materials |
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Fee increase is due to increased costs to operate the pool, repairs, and utilities. |
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TENNIS LESSONS |
|
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Private Lessons |
|
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Resident |
$53 / lesson / hour |
$50 / lesson |
|
Non-Resident |
$64 / lesson / hour |
$58 / lesson |
|
Fee increase is due to increased instructor costs. |
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CLASSES |
|
|
|
Adult and Youth Classes and Camps |
20% - 40% of total instructor fee |
10% - 45% of total instructor fee |
|
Materials Fee |
based on actual cost |
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Fee increase is due to rising instructor and materials costs. |
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MASTICK SENIOR CENTER |
|
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Bingo Program |
|
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Bingo Game Prices |
$0.25 - $8 |
$0.25 - $7 |
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Snack Bar |
$1 - $10 |
$0.50 - $6 |
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Facility Rental - Social Hall (4-Hour Minimum) |
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Large TV Use |
$50 |
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Facility Rental - Classroom (2-Hour Minimum) |
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Alameda Non-Profit Organization |
$53 / hour |
$50 / hour |
|
Non-Alameda Non-Profit Organization |
$66 / hour |
$60 / hour |
|
Fee increase is due to rising staff and administrative costs. |
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YOUTH PROGRAMS |
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Tiny Tots* |
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Program Fees (School Year & Summer) |
$9 / hour R / $10.50 hour NR |
$9 / hour R / $10.50 hour NR |
|
TK Fee for Non-School Day Camp |
$7.13 / hour R / $8.40 / hour NR |
|
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RAP - Recreation Afterschool Program* |
$5.25 / hour R / $6.30 / hour NR |
$5 / hour R / $6 / hour NR |
|
Additional Day |
$23 / day |
$22 / day |
|
Early Dismissal |
$27 - $182 |
$26 - $173 |
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WOW - World of Wonder Summer Camp |
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5 Days |
$285 R / $343 NR |
$271 R / $312 NR |
|
4 Days |
$228 R / $259 NR |
$212 R / $235 NR |
|
WOW Extended Care |
$83 - $186 R / $112 - $227 NR |
$79 - $177 R / $102 - $206 NR |
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Day Camp |
|
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Hidden Cove - Per Week |
$250 R / $300 NR |
$238 R / $273 NR |
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Hidden Cove - 4 Day Week |
$200 R / $244 NR |
$193 R / $222 NR |
|
Trails End & Trailblazers - Per Week |
$340 R / $410 NR |
$324 R / $373 NR |
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Teen/Tween Adventure Camp |
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Resident |
$265 - $446 / week |
$252 - $425 / week |
|
Non-Resident |
$319 - $538 / week |
$290 - $489 / week |
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Teen Programs |
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Leader in Training (half day) |
$30 / week R / $40 / week NR |
$30 / week R / $35 / week NR |
|
Leader In Training (full day) |
$60 / week R / $70 / week NR |
$60 / week R / $35 / week NR |
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Alameda Youth Committee |
$50 / year R / $60 / year NR |
$50 / year R / $58 / week NR |
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Additional Programs/Fees |
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Per Hour Charge for Other Youth Programs |
$5.78 R / $6.72 NR |
$5.50 R / $6.40 NR |
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Non-Refundable RAP and Tiny Tot Registration Deposit |
$25 |
$25 |
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Non-School Extended Care |
$20 / day - R; $30 / day - NR |
$15 / day - R; $25 / day - NR |
|
Scholarships (Non-Contract Programs) |
fees reduced by 25% - 75% based on need |
fees reduced by 25% - 50% based on need |
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School-year programs marked with an asterisk (*) and are effective at the new school year in August |
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Fee increase is due to rising staff and administrative costs. |
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ADMINISTRATION FEES |
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City-Approved Holiday and Associated Weekend Rental Fee |
regular rate + 15% |
regular rate + 15% |
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Community Events |
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Equipment Rental |
actual cost |
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Lost or Damaged Material at Department Cost, Department to Pick Up, No Delivery Included |
actual cost + hourly rate |
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Fee proposed to cover actual costs as they did not exist previously. |
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R = Alameda Resident |
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NR = Non-Alameda Resident |
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Changes are in bold |
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ALTERNATIVES
• Approve the 2025 ARPD User Fee Schedule as presented.
• Provide direction to change any of the proposed fees. If all, or a majority of fees, are not increased then the ARPD budget will require additional funding from the General Fund to maintain a balanced budget as the anticipated revenues from this proposed User Fee Schedule were included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 Budget.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The Fee Schedule changes are intended to offset expenses as described above based on the approved FY 2024-25 Budget. If the proposed ARPD User Fee Schedule is not approved for calendar year 2025, then additional General Fund support of approximately $165,000 to $225,000 would be required in FY 2024-25 to cover program costs. Additional General Fund support would also be required in FY 2025-26 to maintain service levels, subject to future City Council appropriations.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is not a project and no additional environmental review is required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it involves governmental fiscal activities (revising recreation and park fees), which does not involve any commitment to any specific project which may result in a potentially significant physical impact on the environment. CEQA Guidelines, Section 15378 (b)(4).
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Hold a public hearing to consider adoption of resolution amending Master Fee Resolution No. 12191 to add and Revise Recreation and Park Fees for calendar year 2025.
Respectfully submitted,
Justin Long, Recreation and Parks Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Margaret O’Brien, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Proposed 2025 Recreation and Parks User Fee Schedule with 2024 Fee Comparison
2. Recreation and Parks 2025 Fee Comparison Study