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 2026. (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 2026 fee schedule was reviewed and recommended for approval by the Recreation and Parks Commission on November 13, 2025. The proposed fee adjustment is generally a three to five percent (3-5%) increase 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 in August to coincide with the start of the school year.
DISCUSSION
Program fees are structured to recover both direct costs, including staff time, facility maintenance, and utilities, as well as indirect costs such as administrative support and supplies. The fee structure is designed to balance cost recovery with the overall community benefit. Programs that serve broad community or at-risk populations such as the free mobile recreation program, community events, and Mastick Senior Center activities are assigned lower cost recovery rates. Programs that provide a more specific or individual benefit such as facility rentals, summer camps, and adult sports leagues are assigned higher cost recovery rates. This tiered framework supports fiscal sustainability while ensuring equitable access to programs and services.
As described below, fees were added or adjusted for the proposed 2026 Recreation and Park User Fee Schedule to address rising staff and supply costs and to create opportunities for new programming and rentals. The proposed fee schedule includes 3-5% increases for existing programs that are at or below market rate. Additional fees were added for new rental opportunities including an Americans with Disability Act (ADA) lift, battery generator for events, and storage fees for non-profits rending City facilities. Market and cost comparisons relative to programs in other cities and in Alameda were also considered (Exhibit 2).
The fee schedule includes phased pool lane rental rates. The 2026 fee schedule reflects the second year of the 3-year implementation plan. Outreach was conducted with the affected user groups prior to implementation and the intent of spreading fees across three years is to allow user groups to gradually increase membership fees to align with the opening of the Aquatic Center and Emma Hood Swim Center.
Proposed 3-year pool fee implementation plan:
|
Resident Youth |
Existing 2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
2027 |
|
Per Lane Fee per hour (Lifeguard Fee Additional) |
$2.88 |
$5.00 |
$7.50 |
$10 |
|
Market Rate *See Exhibit 2 |
$10 |
|
|
|
|
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. ARPD also invited all user groups to a virtual meeting on November 4, 2025, to share feedback about the proposed fees. Four members of the community attended, and staff responded to questions but received little feedback on the proposed fees from meeting attendees. Staff also did not receive additional feedback from user groups after the meeting.
The following fees are proposed for 2026. Any increased fees are noted in bold under the 2026 Fee column and any new fees are highlighted in yellow below. A brief description of the justification for fee increases is included in italics at the end of each section.
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|
2026 Fees |
2025 Fees |
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ATHLETIC FIELDS |
|
|
|
Youth Organization (75% Resident) |
$11 / hour |
$10 / hour |
|
Youth Organization (less than 75% Resident) |
$35 / hour |
$34 / hour |
|
Private Resident |
$45 / hour |
$44 / hour |
|
Private Non-Resident |
$68 / hour |
$66 / hour |
|
Synthetic Turf Field - Youth Organization (75% Resident) |
$42 / hour |
$41 / hour |
|
Synthetic Turf Field - Youth Organization (less than 75% Resident) |
$64 / hour |
$62 / hour |
|
Synthetic Turf Field - Residents |
$72 / hour |
$70 / hour |
|
Synthetic Turf Field - Non-Residents |
$88 / hour |
$86 / hour |
|
Field Light Use |
$40 / hour + hourly fee |
$38 / hour + hourly fee |
|
Field Prep - Lining for Non-Profits |
$130 / game |
$40 / game + hourly fee |
|
Field Prep - Lining for Private |
$195 / game |
$75 / game + hourly fee |
|
Field Prep (performed by contractor) |
based on actual cost |
|
|
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 |
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ALAMEDA POINT GYM |
|
|
|
Youth Organization (75% Resident) / Alameda Schools |
|
|
|
Practice |
$39 / hour / court |
$38 / hour / court |
|
League Games |
$47 / hour / court |
$45 / hour / court |
|
Gym Clean-Up Fee |
$75 per incident + hourly fee |
$25 / hour |
|
Increase due to staff and utility costs |
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|
BOCCE BALL COURTS (3-Hour Minimum) - except weekdays |
|
|
|
Resident |
$15 / hour |
$13 / hour |
|
Non-Resident |
$18 / hour |
$15 / hour |
|
Increase due to staff and utility costs |
|
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POOL RENTAL (3-Hour Minimum) |
|
|
|
Resident Youth Teams (75% Alameda Participants) Encinal |
$7.50 / hour / lane + lifeguard cost |
$5 / hour / lane + lifeguard cost |
|
Resident Adult Teams (75% Alameda Participants) Encinal |
$11.33 / hour / lane + lifeguard cost |
$7.75 / hour / lane + lifeguard cost |
|
Year 2 of the 3yr phasing plan to meet market rate. |
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PARK & PICNIC RENTAL |
|
|
|
Park Open Space Use Fee |
$43 / hour |
$40 / hour |
|
Park Outdoor Stage/Gazebo |
$35 / hour |
$30 / hour |
|
Electricity Use, Inflatables, etc |
$25 / day |
$20 / day |
|
Increase due to staff and utility costs |
|
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FACILITY RENTAL - (3-Hour Minimum) |
|
|
|
Alameda Business / HOA Meeting Rate |
$50 / hour |
$45 / hour |
|
Non-Alameda Business / HOA Meeting Rate |
$65 / hour |
$60 / hour |
|
Fee increase is due to increased administrative and staffing costs. |
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O'CLUB RENTAL (4-Hour Minimum) |
|
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Actual costs that exceed security deposit will be charged directly |
Per Actual Cost |
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Fee due created to cover any damages above the security deposit. |
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ADULT SPORTS |
|
|
|
Leagues with 1 Official |
|
|
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Resident Team |
$78 / game |
$71 / game |
|
Non-Resident Team |
$90 / game |
$82 / game |
|
Leagues with 2 Officials |
|
|
|
Resident Team |
$88 / game |
$80 / game |
|
Non-Resident Team |
$100 / game |
$91 / game |
|
Leagues with 3 Officials |
|
|
|
Resident Team |
$98 / game |
|
|
Non-Resident Team |
$111 / game |
|
|
Adult Sports Tournaments |
actual costs + 20% |
|
|
Open Gym |
|
|
|
Resident |
$10 / session |
$8 / session |
|
Fee increase is due to increased administrative and staffing costs. |
|
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TENNIS LESSONS |
|
|
|
Group Lessons |
|
|
|
Resident |
$25 / lesson / hour |
$23 / lesson / hour |
|
Non-Resident |
$30 / lesson / hour |
$26 / lesson / hour |
|
Fee increase is due to increased administrative and staffing costs. |
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CLASSES |
|
|
|
Adult and Youth Classes and Camps |
25%-40% of total instructor fee |
20% - 40% of total instructor fee |
|
Administrative Fee - Mastick Senior Center |
$3 or 3% whichever is greater |
$3 per class |
|
Administrative Fee |
3%-5% of class cost |
3% of class cost |
|
Fee increase is due to increased administrative and staffing costs. |
|
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MASTICK SENIOR CENTER |
|
|
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Actual costs that exceed security deposit will be charged directly |
Per Actual Cost |
|
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Classes |
|
|
|
Term Classes |
25% of total instructor fee |
15% - 20% of total instructor fee |
|
Facility Rental - Social Hall (4-Hour Minimum) |
|
|
|
Resident |
$180 / hour |
$175 / hour |
|
Non-Resident |
$205 / hour |
$200 / hour |
|
Non-Profit |
$105 / hour |
$100 / hour |
|
Vertical Screen |
$45 / event |
|
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Facility Rental - Classroom (2-Hour Minimum) |
|
|
|
Alameda Non-Profit Organization |
$60 / hour |
$53 / hour |
|
Non-Alameda Non-Profit Organization |
$70 / hour |
$66 / hour |
|
Security Deposit (Refundable) Room A, D, Dining Room 1 or 2 |
$250 |
$250 |
|
Custodial Fees |
$25 / event or $50 / event over 200 guests |
|
|
Fee increase is due to increased administrative and staffing costs. |
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YOUTH PROGRAMS |
|
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|
Tiny Tots* |
|
|
|
Program Fees (School Year & Summer) |
$9.50 / hour R, $11 hour NR |
$9 / hour R / $10.50 hour NR |
|
RAP - Recreation Afterschool Program* |
$5.41 / hour R, $6.49 / hour NR |
$5.25 / hour R / $6.30 / hour NR |
|
Additional Day |
$25 / day |
$23 / day |
|
WOW - World of Wonder Summer Camp |
|
|
|
5 Days |
$294 R / $353 NR |
$285 R / $343 NR |
|
4 Days |
$235 R / $267 NR |
$228 R / $259 NR |
|
WOW Extended Care |
$85 - $192 R / $115 - $234 NR |
$83 - $186 R / $112 - $227 NR |
|
Day Camp |
|
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Hidden Cove - Per Week |
$258 R / $309 NR |
$250 R / $300 NR |
|
Hidden Cove - 4 Day Week |
$206 R / $251 NR |
$200 R / $244 NR |
|
Trails End & Trailblazers - Per Week |
$350 R / $422 NR |
$340 R / $410 NR |
|
Teen/Tween Adventure Camp |
|
|
|
Resident |
$273 - $459 / week |
$265 - $446 / week |
|
Non-Resident |
$329 - $554 / week |
$319 - $538 / week |
|
Additional Programs/Fees |
|
|
|
Per Hour Charge for Other Youth Programs |
$5.95 R / $6.92 NR |
$5.78 R / $6.72 NR |
|
Non-Refundable RAP and Tiny Tot Registration Deposit |
$50 |
$25 |
|
Santa's Visit - Virtual and In-Person |
$30 - $50 / visit |
$28 - $45 / visit |
|
Breakfast with Santa |
|
|
|
Resident |
$35 adult / $15 child |
$21 adult / $11 child |
|
Non-Resident |
$40 adult / $20 child |
$24 adult / $13 child |
|
Fee increase is due to increased administrative and staffing costs. |
|
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ADMINISTRATION FEES |
|
|
|
Storage Units in Parks (must be tied to City issued permit) |
|
|
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Knack Box |
$50 / year |
|
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Shed |
$100 / year |
|
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20 ft Shipping Container |
$150 / year |
|
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Community Events |
|
|
|
Actual costs that exceed security deposit will be charged directly |
Per Actual Cost |
|
|
Battery Rental |
$250 / event (City-issued permit required) |
|
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Wheelchair Lift |
$1,000 / event (City-issued permit required) |
|
|
Security Deposit for Equipment (refundable) |
$500 |
|
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New fee for storage at parks by permit holders and added fees for equipment rentals. |
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R = Alameda Resident |
|
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NR = Non-Alameda Resident |
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Changes are in highlight. |
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ALTERNATIVES
• Approve the 2026 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) 2026-27 Budget.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The Fee Schedule changes are intended to offset expenses as described above based on the approved FY 2026-27 Budget. If the proposed ARPD User Fee Schedule is not approved for calendar year 2026, then additional General Fund support of approximately $175,000 to $225,000 would be required in FY 2025-26 to cover program costs. Additional General Fund support would also be required in FY 2026-27 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 2026.
Respectfully submitted,
Justin Long, Recreation and Parks Director
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director
Exhibits:
1. Proposed 2026 Recreation and Parks User Fee Schedule with 2025 Fee Comparison
2. Recreation and Parks 2026 Fee Comparison Study