HomeMy WebLinkAbout5L - Canoe Rental at Watzl's Beach
MEETING DATE:
AGENDA #:
PREPARED BY:
AGENDA ITEM:
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4646 Dakota Street S.E.
Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
May 19, 2008
5L
Kelly Meyer, Asst. City Manager
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A POLICY REGARDING CANOE RENTAL AT
WATZL'S BEACH.
Introduction
The purpose of this agenda item is to adopt a policy that completes the direction
of the City Council to implement a canoe rental program at Watzl's Beach in
Lakefront Park.
Historv
At its April 21, 2008 meeting, the staff provided a report regarding the possibility
of renting City-owned canoes from Sand Point Beach. After being considered by
the Parks Advisory Committee, City staff, and the City Council, it was determined
that Sand Point Beach was not the best location for this activity due to its current
multiple uses and traffic. The City Council instead directed that the canoe rental
program be implemented from Watzl's Beach in Lakefront Park, and provided
the staff specific direction related to the program operation, including type of
service (i.e. by reservation or walk-up), fees, inclusion of a perimeter, location of
the existing canoe/kayak/sailboat rack, and start up costs.
Current Circumstances
Staff has worked to draft the attached policy which outlines the rules and
procedures for operation of the program. Such rules include the following:
· Hours of Operation: M-F 12:30pm-6pm, and weekends
11 :30am-6pm. These hours are consistent with the beach
hours and allow us to utilize current seasonal staff for
operation of the program.
· No reservations required. Canoes are rented on a first
come, first served walk-up basis. Residents can call in
advance to assure that a canoe will be available when they
arrive.
· Must be 16 years of age to rent a canoe unless
accompanied by an adult.
· Must submit a driver's license or credit card at the time of
rental to be held until the City-owned equipment is
returned.
· Must sign a voluntary release and waiver of liability.
· Fee is $3 per hour.
· City provided life vests must be worn at all times.
· Two persons per canoe.
www.cityofpriorlake.com
Phone 952.447.9800 / Fax 952.447.4245
The City Council also directed that the canoe/kayak/sailboat rack currently at
Sand Point Beach used for slip rental to private individuals who need a place to
conveniently store their canoe/kayak/sailboat also be moved to Watzl's Beach to
be used for both slip rental and the canoe rental program. Subsequent to the
City Council meeting, staff learned that the rack in question is actually cemented
in the ground which makes it much more complicated and time-consuming to
move. AI Friedges advises that the move can be accomplished by June 15th.
Until the rack is moved, we will use a padlock system to secure the canoes at
Watzl's so that the rentals can be available as soon as the paddles and life
jackets arrive.
Conclusion
Attached are the canoe rental policy and the liability waiver. The Council should
determine if the policy outlines the canoe rental program it desires to implement
at Watzl's Beach.
ISSUES:
Is the canoe rental policy customer friendly? Staff believes the program will be
easy to use for customers while protecting the City's interests. A similar
procedure for liability waivers is used at the skate park and seems to be
operating smoothly.
Does the canoe rental policy adequately address the necessary rules to
implement the program safely and with minimum liability? The policy addresses
how a rental would take place based upon the City Council's feedback.
Are there additional concerns of the Council and should additional rules be put in
place to address those concerns?
FINANCIAL
IMPACT:
The Council considered the financial impact of the canoe rental program during
its initial direction on April 21, 2008. The program utilizes existing beach staff to
manage the program. Start-up costs include $500 for the purchase of
appropriate paddles and lifejackets to be drawn from the Recreation general
operation budget. The costs to move the canoe rack from Sand Point are
primarily in staff time.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Motion and Second as part of the consent agenda to adopt the Canoe Rental
Policy and liability waiver as proposed.
2. Remove this item from the consent agenda for additional discussion.
RECOMMENDED Alternative 1.
MOTION:
ReVie~:J j,
Frank BOYle'Dla
RENTAL POLICY - CANOE RENTALS AT WATZLS BEACH
Available June 7, 2008 - August 17, 2008
Hours of Over at ion:
Mondav - Fridav 12:30nm - 6nm. Saturday & Sunday 11:30am - 6nm.
Water Activities:
No water skiing, diving or swimming off of canoes.
For safety reasons, no beaching of canoes is permitted between the boat slips and the swimming
beach.
No motors (electric or gas) may be attached to the canoes.
Rental Rates & Reauirements
· Must be 16 years of age to rent a canoe; persons under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
· A completed liability waiver must be provided prior to rental. Renters under 18 years of age must have
signed parental consent.
. Fee: $3.00 per hour paid in advance. Canoes are rented by the hour only. No credit will be given for
rentals less than one hour. A driver's license or credit card is required for deposit.
. Provided life jackets are required to be worn at all times while using canoes.
. Canoes seat 2 people per canoe
. Canoes can only be used on upper and lower Prior Lake, and can not be transported to any other
location.
· Additional charges will be assessed if any of the following occurs:
o damage to the canoe during the rental period
o Failure to return the canoe within the time frame paid.
o Failure to return any City owned equipment provided (life jackets and paddles).
. Canoes are rented on a first come, first served basis.
. Canoes are not available to rent on the 4th of July due to the required safety perimeter for the fireworks
display.
. For question you may contact Angie Barstad, City of Prior Lake, 4646 Dakota Street SE, Prior Lake,
MN, by phone at 952.447.9800. Office hours are 8am - 4:30pm, Monday through Friday.
Violations
Any violation of the City Code Section 702 dealing with the usage and rental of City-owned property or
conduct within City parks is considered a violation of City Code and subject to a fine of up to $1,000,
prohibition from future rental, or any combination thereof at the City's sole discretion.
Canoe Rental at Watzls Beach
V oluntary Release Acknowledgement
and Acceptance of Risks by Participant
(please read carefully before signing)
Participant Name:
Date:
Address:
Phone:
In order to participate in this activity, I agree to hold the City of Prior Lake, any
promoters, officials, advertisers, and property owners harmless, and I waive any right
to make claims or lawsuits against them. I acknowledge that this is not an essential
service provided by the City of Prior Lake.
I understand and acknowledge that the activities I am about to voluntary engage in as
a participant have certain risks. I understand that these risks known or unknown,
anticipated or unanticipated may also result in injury, death, illness, disease or
damage to myself or my property or other third parties. I voluntarily agree and promise
to accept and assume all responsibilities, and injuries, death, illness, disease or
damage to myself or my property arising from my participation in this activity.
This waiver does not apply to any injuries or damages that are result of willful, wanton,
or intentional misconduct. My participation in this activity is voluntary and no one is
forcing me to participate in spite of the risks. I understand the effect of this waiver and
acceptance of risk on my legal rights.
My signature indicates that I have read this entire document, understand it completely,
acknowledge that it cannot be modified or changed in any way by oral representations,
and agree to be bound by its terms. This agreement shall be binding on behalf of
myself, my heirs, assigns, personal representative and estate.
SIGNATURE:
Date:
If participant is under 18 years old, this release must be co-signed by parent or guardian. A new waiver needs to be
signed every year.
Parent/Guardian:
Date: