HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem ZAGENDA REPORT
DATE:
May 14, 2001
TO:
Honorable Mayor and City Council
THRU:
John B. Bahorski, City Manager
FROM:
Nancy L. Beard, Director
Parks, Recreation and Community Services
SUBJECT:
Fee Adjustment Request for Aquatics Programs
SUMMARY OF REOUEST:
For Council to: 1. Receive the staff report.
2. Conduct the Public Heating
3. If appropriate, adopt the resolution amending the Comprehensive Fee
Schedule.
In previous years the City's aquatics budget has been subsidized by the general fund up
to 55 %. The subsidy was at its highest in recent years as more and more repairs were
made to the aging community pool.
Over the past two years the City has made many improvements to the pool, which have
resulted in better management of its resources. The pool is covered in the evenings by a
thermal blanket. The temperature was lowered by two degrees. When the pool was
refurbished for $250,000 last year, a new more efficient, filtration system was installed.
Plans for the coming fiscal year include purchasing a more efficient heating system.
The anticipated aquatics budget expenditures for fiscal year 2001 /2002 are $129,885.
Anticipated revenues are $73,000. Of these expenses, energy costs (gas and electricity)
are anticipated conservatively at $35,000. The utility expenditure in past budgets has
averaged $16,000.
The Parks and Recreation Commission review's the department's fees on an annual basis
in preparation for the new fiscal year. These fee recommendations are generally included
in the City's Comprehensive Fee Resolution document.
Due to the increased gas and electric fees associated with the energy crisis, utility fees at
the Seal Beach Community Pool at McGaugh School have more that doubled. In order to
enact the new fees to assist in offsetting the utility costs immediately, a fee adjustment
AGENDA ITEM Z
Aquatic Fees —May 14, 2001
Page 2
most be enacted prior to the start of the new fiscal year. These fees will increase
anticipated revenues by $8,000 to $81,000.
With this new figure the pool will generate approximately 60% of its budget through the
user fees recommended by this action. Our goal is to close the gap between the fees
generated and expenses. This action will result in a 40% general fund transfer (or
approximately $48, 800) to support this community service - assisting Council in
achieving their goal of "Improving the Quality of Life for All Residents."
The City has a long history of aquatics programs deemed essential to the residents of this
beach town. The majority of children in Seal Beach learn to swim at the community pool
prior to spending their youth at the beach. The direction given has been to keep the
aquatics fees at an average cost for the residents. Raising the swim lesson fees to $35
keeps Seal Beach within the average fees charged by neighboring cities. The City of Los
Alamitos is charging $35 per lesson as is Cypress and Garden Grove. The City of
Huntington Beach is charging $28 per lesson and the City of Cerritos $38.
The new fees as proposed and recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission by
a 5 —0 vote are:
Recreation Swim
Children 17 years of age and under............
from 1.00 to 1.50 (per day)
Adults 18 years of age and over ................from
1.50 to 2.00 (per swim)
Family Swim (max of 4) ........................from
3.00 to 5.00 (per day)
Swim passes ...... ...............................
from 1.50 to 2.00 (per swim)
Swimming Instruction:
Residents .............. ............................from
28.00 to 35.00
Non residents ........ ............................from
40.00 to 50.00
Seal Beach Swim Team from a fee of $1.00 per "swim" to an hourly rate of $15.00.
Pool Rental Parties:
Residents — 30 or less ..........................from
100.00 to 145.00
Residents — 30 to 60 participants............
from 120.00 to 165.00
Residents — over 60 participants .............from
140.00 to 185.00
Non resident — 30 or less ......................from
130.00 to 175.00
Non resident — 30 to 60 participants .........
from 150.00 to 195.00
Non resident — over 60 participants.........
from 170.00 to 215.00
Use of Swimming Pool by Commercial
Users:
From 45.00 per hour to 60.00 per hour
with a minimum of $120.00 (from 90.00)
T
Aquatic Fees —May 14, 2001
Page 3
FISCAL IMPACT:
It is anticipated that the recommended Aquatic fee's will generate an additional $8,000
annually.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Council conduct the hearing and approve proposed fee
increases.
Nanc L. Betiq Director
Parks, RecreWon and Community Services
Agenda Item