City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council adopt a Resolution establishing new aquatic fees
and rescinding that portion of Exhibit F-1 of Resolution No. 2008-R048 which
established the 2008-2009 aquatic fees, and make these fees effective March 1,
2009.
PROCEDURE:
Though user fees of this nature do not, by law, require a public hearing, the City
Council and PRCS Department generally seek to observe the following process to
establish or amend user fees to encourage community input in the process:
i. A public meeting (in the form of a City Council meeting) is scheduled to
consider adopting a resolution establishing the proposed fees.
ii. Public notices are published in a local newspaper of general circulation in
the City not less than 14 days prior to the meeting. Additional noticing is
conducted as deemed appropriate by the PRCS Department Director.
iii. Public comment in the form of correspondence and audience testimony is
received by Council at the meeting.
iv. City Council, after receiving public comment and a staff report, may
continue the item or take action. If continued, additional notices are
published and the process repeats until the City Council takes action
regarding the resolution confirming the amended fees.
Meeting Date: 11/10/2008 Item Number: A-3
AGENDA ITEM: Adoption of a Resolution Establishing New Aquatic Fees and
Rescinding that Portion of Exhibit F-1 of Resolution No. 2008-R048 Which
Established the 2008-2009 Aquatic Fees.
Contact Person/Dept.: Brianna Frazier Phone Number: (310) 253-6662
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification:
Master E-Mail Notification List (11/05/08); Publication of Notice in the Culver City News
on 10/23/2008 and 10/30/2008; Notice Placed on Public Counters in Veterans’
Memorial Complex and the Municipal Pool on 10/24/2008; E-Mail Notification to Pool
User and Sports Groups (10/23/2008 and 11/05/08)
Department Approval:
Bill La Pointe (10/29/08)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (11/05/08)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by M. Noller) (11/05/08)
City Manager Approval:
Jerry B. Fulwood (11/05/08) City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
Staff published a notice of this item in the October 23 and October 30, 2008 issues
of the Culver City News. In addition to publishing notices, the PRCS Department
posted notices and fliers at the Veterans’ Memorial Complex and the Culver City
Municipal Pool and provided e-mail notices to pool user and sports groups, advising
them of tonight’s discussion and the proposed fee increases.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Culver City operates a year-round, outdoor aquatic facility (the “Plunge”)
that has a 25 by 55-yard (commonly known as a 25-yard by 50-meter) pool with
depths ranging from 3½ to 13 feet. The mission of the Culver City Aquatics Section
is to promote health and fitness through year-round aquatic programs.
Individuals and organized sports groups utilize the Plunge for aquatic activities
ranging from recreational swimming and general fitness to competitive swim team
training and exhibitions. Annually, the Plunge boasts over 30,000 visits by
recreation and lap swimmers. Swim lessons and rentals account for an additional
50,000 visits to The Plunge annually. During the peak summer months, participation
rates for all aquatics activities reaches a combined average of more than 400
swimmers daily.
Operations of the Culver City Municipal Pool are funded in part by revenues
generated from individual admissions, the provision of aquatics programming, and
rental fees paid by the many user groups that utilize the facility. During the 2008-09
Budget Process, the City Council adopted user fees and charges for various
activities. At that time it was noted that the PRCS Department would be returning to
the City Council at a future date to propose new fees and charges at the Plunge.
The Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Department has reviewed
the fee schedule, current pool use, user groups, and market rates. In proposing the
attached fees, staff sought to keep in mind affordability and our commitment to
providing the Culver City community with year-round aquatic programming. Staff is
recommending that non-resident and commercial users provide more significant
support for the operation of the facilities and programs than residents and non-profit
organizations.
DISCUSSION:
Staff proposes increasing fees for individuals, swim passes and user groups and
changing or establishing fee categories to provide greater fee consistency.
(Revisions to swim lesson fees are not being proposed at this time though staff will City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
continue to review this possibility in preparation for the 2009-10 Budget cycle.)
Proposed swim pass fees reflect the importance of promoting Culver City community
use through discounted resident pricing. Revision of the rental categories and rates
for non-profit, private party and commercial groups is another means for promoting
community use through discounted resident pricing. The following proposed rates
outline a tiered structure through which:
• Commercial entities bear the most of the financial responsibility for the
service;
• Non-commercial private parties bear responsibility for a moderate portion of
the cost of the service; and
• Non-profit organizations bear responsibility for a minimal portion of the cost of
the service.
When feasible, commercial entities, private parties or organizations are afforded a
discount for being a resident of, or headquartered in, Culver City.
The Resolution establishing the proposed fees follows as Attachment 1. The
proposed fee schedule is outlined in Attachment 2.
Comparisons to Other Cities
As discussed extensively during the budget adoption process, comparing fees to
other jurisdictions can be challenging given the difficulty in providing an “apples to
apples” comparison. As explained in the Public Resource Management (PRM)
report to City Council in May 2007, the difficulty is due to the many variables in
policy and procedures across cities. Further, California Law (Proposition 218)
mandates that local agency fees must be established at an amount that cannot
exceed what it actually costs to provide the service; thus Culver City can only charge
a fee which, at maximum, is no greater than our costs.
Remaining aware of these challenges, staff reviewed area municipalities that provide
year-round aquatics programming to their communities. This review revealed that
Culver City is generally consistent with the surrounding market and has an
opportunity to (1) increase aquatics programming fees to capture additional revenue,
and (2) adjust rental fees for greater consistency while still remaining competitive in
the surrounding market.
Based on a review of comparable outdoor, year-round aquatics facilities, user group
fees for non-profit or sports groups range from $45.00 per hour (City of West
Hollywood) to $252.00 per hour (City of Santa Monica). Rates for private parties or
commercial entities range from $70.00 per hour (City of West Hollywood) to $400.00 City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
(City of Santa Monica). In general, the pools reviewed prorate this hourly fee based
on the space allocated to the user group (i.e.: hourly rate factored against
percentage of pool allocated); notable exceptions follow the table below.
This review also revealed that Culver City’s practice of charging additive fees based
on the number of participants is somewhat incongruous with the necessary lifeguard
requirements and may create an unnecessary administrative burden for staff. As a
result, these additive categories are proposed to be deleted and alternative
categories are proposed. A summary of the market comparison information follows:
*These are flat rates regardless of pool allocation. Multiple groups using the pool simultaneously would each be
charged this same rate.
**This rate is a flat rate for 2 hours of non-exclusive use. It includes 20 youth and 2 adult admissions, additional
swimmers are charged the posted admission rate.
Though it is challenging to directly compare all categories across cities, staff has
adjusted advertised rates where feasible to match with the categories proposed (ex:
converting lap pass pricing to 15 admissions if sold in other increments). Staff
inquired as to recent revisions to existing rates. Santa Monica indicated the aquatic
facility considerably revised their rates in recent years. Representatives of Torrance
and West Hollywood expressed an interest in, or ongoing revisions to, their fee
structures to enhance consistency and/or cost recovery particularly for aquatic
rentals.
Fee Category
Culver City
(Proposed)
Santa
Monica Torrance
West
Hollywood
Lap & Rec Swim: Adult Resident (1 visit) $ 4.00 $ 2.50 $ 2.00 $ 2.00
Lap & Rec Swim: Adult Non-Resident (1) $ 4.00 $ 5.00 $ 2.00 $ 3.00
Lap & Rec Swim: Sr Resident (1) $ 2.50 $ 1.25 $ 1.50 $ -
Lap & Rec Swim: Sr Non-Resident (1) $ 2.50 $ 2.50 $ 1.50 $ -
Lap Pass: Adult Resident (15 visits) $ 35.00 $ 30.00 $ 27.27 $ 21.00
Lap Pass: Adult Non-Resident (15) $ 50.00 $ 60.00 $ 27.27 $ 36.00
Lap Pass: Sr Resident (15) $ 20.00 $ 15.00 $ 20.45 $ -
Lap Pass: Sr Non-Resident (15) $ 25.00 $ 30.00 $ 20.45 $ -
Rec Swim: Youth Resident (1) $ 2.50 $ 1.00 $ 1.50 $ 1.00
Rec Swim: Youth Non-Resident (1) $ 2.50 $ 2.00 $ 1.50 $ 2.00
Hourly Rental: Non-profit Resident $ 114.00 $ 72 - 126 $48.00+ $45.00+*
Hourly Rental: Non-profit Non-Resident $ 127.00 $144 - 252 $113.00+ $45.00+*
Hourly Rental: Private Party, Resident $ 152.00 $100 - 165** $113.00+ $70 - 95
Hourly Rental: Private Party, Non-Resident $ 169.00 $150 - 210** $113.00+ $100 - 150
Rental: Private Commercial, Resident $ 191.00 $ 400.00 $113.00+ $45.00+*
Hourly Rental: Private Commercial, Non-
Resident $ 212.00 $ 400.00 $113.00+ $45.00+*
Proposed New
Categories Existing Categories City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
Staff is recommending adopting the proposed fee increases effective March 1, 2009.
This will provide adequate time to inform Plunge users and the community, revise
existing agreements and modify pool schedules if appropriate. The proposed rate
schedule will generate approximately $80,000 in revenue annually or just under
$20,000 for Fiscal Year 2008-2009 if effective March 1, 2009.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Proposed Resolution (including Exhibit A (Proposed Fee Schedule))
MOTION:
That the City Council:
Adopt a Resolution establishing new aquatic fees and rescinding that portion of
Exhibit F-1 of Resolution No. 2008-R048 which established the 2008-2009
aquatic fees, and make these fees effective March 1, 2009.
MEETING DATE: November 10, 2008
AGENDA ITEM: Adoption of a Resolution of the City Council Establishing
New Aquatic Fees and Rescinding that Portion of Exhibit
F-1 of Resolution No. 2008-R048 Which Established the
2008-2009 Aquatic Fees.
ATTACHMENTS
Pam|109| Resolution No. 2008- 1-2
2. Exhibit A (Proposed Fee Schedule) to Resolution No. 3
2008-RATTACHMENT 1
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING NEW
AQUATIC FEES AND RESCINDING THAT PORTION OF
EXHIBIT F-1 OF RESOLUTION NO. 2008-R048 WHICH
ESTABLISHED THE 2008-2009 AQUATIC FEES.
WHEREAS, pursuant to the California Constitution, the Charter of the City of
Culver City, the Culver City Municipal Code and other applicable federal, state and local
laws, the City of Culver City is able to charge fees for services which do not exceed the
costs for providing such services; and,
WHEREAS, on November 10, 2008, the City Council of the City of Culver City
conducted a duly noticed meeting regarding proposed amendments to its aquatic user fees;
and,
WHEREAS, after providing an opportunity to be heard and considering all
information before it, the City Council of the City of Culver City approved the amending, as
indicated in the attached exhibit, of said aquatic user fees.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Culver City, California,
DOES HEREBY RESOLVE as follows:
I. The Aquatic Fees and Aquatic Rental Fees, established by Exhibit F-1
on pages 27-28 of Resolution No. 2008-R048, are hereby rescinded effective February 28,
2009.
2. New Aquatic Fees and Aquatic Rental Fees, as indicated in the
attached Exhibit A, are hereby adopted and shall be effective on March 1, 2009.
Approved and Adopted this day of , 2008.|101010101010101010 10
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28D. SCOTT MALSIN, Mayor
ATTEST:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Martin Cole, City Clerk Carol Schwab, City Attorney|101010101010101010 10
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28ATTACHMENT 2
EXHIBIT A to Resolution No. 2008-R
Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department
Recreation Programs & Parks Permit
Aquatic Fees, Effective March 1, 2009
Aquatic Fees — Recreation Swim & Lap Swim
Daily Fee
Current Fee Proposed Fee
Adults 18 yrs & Older $ 3.00 $ 4.00
Seniors & Children 17 and under 2.00 2.50
Aquatic Fees — Swim Passes
Adult Lap Swim Passes, Residents, 15 visits 30.00 35.00
Adult Lap Swim Passes, Non-resident, 15 visits 40.00 50_00
Srs & Disabled Lap Passes, Residents, 15 visits 20.00 20_00
(no change)
Srs & Disabled Lap Passes, Nonresidents, 15 visits 25.00
(new feel
Aquatic Fees — Swim Lessons, Resident
Learn to Swim Group Lessons (5 Lessons) $ 30.00 No change
Learn to Swim Group Lessons (10 Lessons) 50.00 No change
Lifeguard Training 130.00 No change
Private Swim Lessons (per 30 minute lesson) 35.00 No change
Aquatic Fees — Swim Lessons, Non-Residents
Learn to Swim Group Lessons (5 Lessons) $ 40.00 No change
Learn to Swim Group Lessons (10 Lessons) 60.00 No change
Lifeguard Training 140.00 No change
Private Swim Lessons (per 30 minute lesson) 45.00 No change
Aquatic Rental Fees — hourly rate
School District rate per hour (staff costs) $ 70.00
Non Profit Rental, Resident, to 100 $55,00 up people
• - • • - ---- - . e-- -et t-et
$20:0-0
Rrivate-P - - t - • t e If e-et -
$7-0,00
.
- - - -
$30410 , t t I
' - - • I!. - $90,00 t t. t. a
$25,00
Non-Profit Resident $114.00
Non-Profit Non-Resident $127.00
Private Party, Resident $152.00
Private Party, Non-Resident $169.00
Private Commercial, Resident $191.00
Private Commercial, Non-Resident $212.00
Cancellation of rental, at least 14 days' notice 50% of fees
retained
No change
Cancellation of rental, less than 14 days' notice 100% of fees
retained
No change|1013|