CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE

PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

TO: Mayor and City Commission

FROM: Richard D. Sala, City Manager

BY: Michael Sargis, Parks and Recreation Director

DATE: March 11, 2008

SUBJECT: Rental Permit Fee Increases for Outdoor Recreation Facilities

(Athletic Fields)

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Due to the passage of the Property Tax Reform Legislation last year, the City Administration had to evaluate various revenues and expenditures in order to prepare a balanced 2007-08 budget for adoption by the Commission. As part of the budget process, the Department studied numerous options on how best to reduce costs and if possible increase revenues without greatly impacting the residents. In this regard, at the July 17th 2007 Commission workshop, the Commission approved the City Manager’s plan which called for, among other things, an increase in Recreation Programs Fees. During the workshop discussion, the Commission was made aware of the fact that these increases would be done administratively using the City Manager’s authority under the City Charter. Subsequently, at the September Commission meeting, the staff advised the Commission of the proposed fee increases. These increases ranged in percentage based on the program and the need for City/Department support services. The proposed increases were intended to cover a portion of the City’s cost to provide such activities. All fee increases became effective October 1, 2007, and to-date we have not encountered any negative feed back from the participants of these programs.

Originally, with the City Manager’s approval, we raised program fees for City Run activities dealing with Recreation/ Athletic programs and Hamptons Pines Park and Senior Center rentals. Tonight, we are proposing to increase the cost of permits for the Athletic Field Rentals. These fees have not been revised in years and are therefore extremely low at this point. Our proposal is to increase these fees to cover the actual cost to use these outdoor recreational facilities. This increase will not affect the City run or recognized programs such as the Northwest Youth Football Program. Please be advised that we issue approximately 3 to 4 field rental permits per year.

After comparing our field rental permit fees with other City’s in the area, we’ve determined that we charge by far the lowest fees in the area. While other cities charge higher costs to cover most of their costs for items such as staff time, lights, diamond dry, field lining and preparation, we don’t. Attached please find a survey of surrounding cites indicating their charges as related to field permits. The proposal that we are submitting tonight puts us in line with what other cities are charging in rental permit fees.

RECOMMENDATION:

The City Administration recommends Commission consideration and approval of the attached resolution authorizing the increase of rental permit fees for outdoor recreation facilities as outlined below.

CURRENT	Field Rental Day – Per Hour Per Field	Field Rental Night – Per Hour Per Field	Lining Baseball Per Field Per lining	Lining Soccer Per Field Per lining	Lining Cricket Per Field Per lining	Diamond Dry Per Bag
N. Lauderdale (Res)	10	20	N/C	N/C	N/C	N/C
N. Lauderdale (NR)	12	23	N/C	N/C	N/C	N/C
Tamarac (Res)	18	23	15	125	N/A	N/A
Tamarac (NR)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Broward County	20	35	15	125	100	N/A
Hollywood (Res)	20	30	75	75	N/A	10
Hollywood (NR)	40	55	100	100	N/A	15
Laud. Lakes (Res)	20	30	20	150	170	N/A
Laud. Lakes (NR)	40	50	40	200	200	N/A
Coral Springs (Res)	22	28	12	60	N/A	10
Coral Springs (NR)	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
PROPOSED
N. Lauderdale (Res)	25	50	32	100	100	10
N. Lauderdale (NR)	30	60	40	120	120	15
Coconut Creek (Res)	30	45	32	60	N/A	10
Coconut Creek (NR)	35	85	32	60	N/A	15
Oakland Park (Res)	36	50	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Oakland Park (NR)	80	100	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Lauderhill (Res)	75 day +	70	50	50	N/A	N/A
Lauderhill (NR)	250 day +	200	50	50	N/A	N/A

RESOLUTION NO. _____________________

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO SET NEW FEES FOR THE RENTAL OF OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AS OUTLINED IN THE RESOLUTION; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA

Section 1: That the City of North Lauderdale Parks and Recreation Department provides an avenue for the public to rent Outdoor Recreation Facilities through a permit process.

Section 2: The following is an outline of the current fees and the proposed increases

CURRENT	Field Rental Day – Per Hour Per Field	Field Rental Night – Per Hour Per Field	Lining Baseball Per Field Per lining	Lining Soccer Per Field Per lining	Lining Cricket Per Field Per lining	Diamond Dry Per Bag
N. Lauderdale (Res)	10	20	N/C	N/C	N/C	N/C
N. Lauderdale (NR)	12	23	N/C	N/C	N/C	N/C

PROPOSED
N. Lauderdale (Res)	25	50	32	100	100	10
N. Lauderdale (NR)	30	60	40	120	120	15

Section 3: That this Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.

PASSED and ADOPTED by the City Commission of the City of North Lauderdale, Florida this 11^th day of March, 2008

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

__________________________________

CITY ATTORNEY SAMUEL S. GOREN

________________________________

MAYOR JACK BRADY

________________________________

VICE MAYOR JOHN R. CANGEMMI

ATTEST:

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INTERM CITY CLERK, PATRICIA VANCHERI