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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPresentation - Skate Park Fees MEETING DATE: AGENDA # PREPARED BY: REVIEWED BY: AGENDA ITEM: DISCUSSION: CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT JUNE 3, 2002 6-A and 8-E CHRIS ESSER, RECREATION SUPERVISOR SUSAN WALSH, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER PRESENTATION ON RULES AND FEE SCHEDULE FOR SKATE PARK FACILITY History At the March 6, 2002 meeting, the City Council amended the 2002 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to include the construction of a skate park. At the March 18, 2002 meeting, the City Council authorized the purchase of Tier I and II skate park equipment. The Prior Lake Optimists Club and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Community each made a generous donation of $25,000 toward construction of the skate park. On April 8, 2002 an informational meeting for skate park users and their families was conducted. Approximately 65 people attended. Current Circumstances The construction of the City's new skate park facility it near completion and is on schedule for an opening date of June 17th. As the Council is aware, the skate park is located adjacent to the upper parking lot in the northwest corner of Lakefront Park. The skatepark is 70 feet by 100 feet in size and includes an attendant stand and bleachers for parents and spectators. The Parks Advisory Committee conducted a joint meeting with the City Council on May 13, 2002. Included in the discussion were potential hQurs of operation, fees, and rules for the skate park. Based on their discussion, city staff developed the following rules and fee schedule: Operation: Staff is recommending the regular hours of operation of the skate park be Sunday - Saturday (seven days a week), 12:00 Noon to 8:00 p.m. Due to the numerous requests to have special time allotted to younger users, Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon will be open to ages 12 and under only for use of the Tier I equipment. The Tier I portion of the park includes features that are three feet in height or under. In our research of other staffed skate park facilities currently operating, staff discovered the majority of other parks are open an average of eight hours a day and at least six days a week. K:\~i.l~~~~~feI~A~~~r~E~~eFf1&I~~ Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (952) 447-4230 / Fax (952) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER All ages of participants during all hours of operation will be required to wear a helmet, elbow pads and kneepads as required by the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust. User Fees: An analysis of the operation of other skate parks, city staff found there are varying methods of charging user fees. All facilities that charge a daily user fee break it down to either an overall daily admission fee or hourly sessions. To simplify our operations, with consideration given to having two skate park attendants on duty at all times, staff is recommending user fees be charged for daily admission. As an added convenience, the sale of seasonal passes, valid for unlimited admission for the entire season is also recommended. In accordance with our city recreation fee policy, the price categories will be differentiated between resident and non-resident users. Based upon discussion and direction given at the joint Parks Advisory Committee and City Council meeting on May 13, 2002, the following fees are recommended: Daily Admission: Resident $3.00 per day Non-resident $6.00 per day Season Pass: Resident $45 per season Non-resident $90 per season The recommended fees are priced slightly below the market value that current combination Tier I and /I facilities are charging based on staff research. The season pass is based upon fifteen uses per season for both residents and nonresidents. A major portion of Lakefront Park (including the entrance access) was acquired as a result of a park referendum approved by Prior Lake residents. As a result, the cost for the park was supported exclusively by city residents. Since park users who do not live within the city limits have neither invested in the skate park facility nor the land purchase, it would be appropriate for non-residents to be charged a higher fee to recover a representative portion of the city's land cost in addition to the operating cost associated with the skate park. Otherwise residents would be subsidizing non-residential use of the city park system. Rules: Staff has researched the posted rules of several other skate park facilities and interviewed administrators of those facilities to formulate a simple and clear form of signage to be posted at the Lakefront Park skate park. Posted rules are recommended as follows: K:\CHRlS\COUNCIL\skate park agrep - fees & rules.DOC ALTERNATIVES: RECOMMENDED MOTION: REVIEWED BY: Skate Park Rules Participants must follow the rules and regulations set forth below. Every guest is expected to exhibit proper behavior (respect of others, positive manners, appropriate language and etc.) toward other participants, guests and staff. . THE SKATE PARK IS OPEN WHEN THE GATE IS UNLOCKED AND AN ATTENDANT IS ON DUTY. SKATE PARK USE OUTSIDE OF REGULAR HOURS WILL BE CONSIDERED TRESPASSING AND ENFORCED BY THE PRIOR LAKE POLICE DEPARTMENT. . FOR YOUR SAFETY, PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT INCLUDING HELMETS, KNEE AND ELBOW PADS AND PROPER SHOES ARE REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES. WRIST SUPPORTS ARE RECOMMENDED. . PROFANITY, LOUD MUSIC OR DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR IS NOT ALLOWED. . SMOKING, WEAPONS, ALCOHOL, ILLEGAL USE OF DRUGS ARE PROHIBITED. . BICYCLES AND SCOOTERS ARE NOT PERMITTED ON THE SKATE PARK. . KEEP THE PARK CLEAN! DISPOSE OF TRASH IN CONTAINERS PROVIDED. . SKATING PRIVILEGES MAY BE REVOKED FOR FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE RULES. Conclusion During the presentation I will outline how these rules and fees are to be administered, evaluated and revised from time to time. I will also announce the proposed grand opening on Monday, June 17th at 5:00 pm. No action is needed at the conclusion of the presentation because formal City Council approval of these recommendations is to be considered under Agenda Item 8-E. The alternatives are as follows: 1. Approve the hours of operation, fees, and rules for the skate park at Lakefront Park. 2. Defer action of this Agenda item and provide direction to staff. 3. Deny this agenda item for a specific reason and provide staff with direction. ternative number 1. K:\CHRIS\COUNCIL\skate park agrep .. fees & rules.DOC ......-.-, ,