Explanation
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of this ordinance is to amend Section 913.02 (B) (5) of the Columbus City Code regarding the Recreation and Parks Commission, Miscellaneous Contracts.
The ordinance changes the language in Section 913.02 (B) to:
5) The fees and charges fee policy or fee schedule for all recreation and parks facilities and programs will be established by the recreation and parks commission.
This change is proposed because the Recreation and Parks Commission intends to establish a cost recovery model and policy for pricing. This policy will allow the Recreation and Parks Department to determine appropriate fees for its facilities and programs.
The Recreation and Parks Commission will adopt and approve a fee policy for the establishment of fees for Recreation and Parks programs and facilities. The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department (CRPD) will implement the approved cost recovery policy in order to allow its facilities and programs to continue to grow and remain financially sustainable into the future. The department will set fees and charges according to this policy and will set cost recovery targets guided by the policy to help benefit the citizens of the City of Columbus. This policy will provide access to services and programs throughout the City of Columbus to citizens of all income levels, and permit participation without financial restriction.
The cost recovery model represents all categories of services and programs currently provided by the Recreation and Parks Department of the City of Columbus. The model is based on the degree of benefit to the community and the fee structure will be based on this shown benefit. Services deemed to benefit mainly individuals will be assigned a larger cost recovery goal. Those deemed to be a benefit to the community as a whole will have a minimal to zero cost recovery goal. Each departmental program or service has been placed within the five-tier system and a cost recovery range has been assigned to that tier.
Title
To amend Section 913.02 of the Columbus City Code to provide for the establishment of a fee policy or fee schedule by the Columbus Recreation and Parks Commission.
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend City Code Section 913.02; and
WHEREAS, the amended code section will allow the Recreation and Parks Commission to approve fee policies which will allow the Recreation and Parks Department to determine appropriate fees for its facilities and programs; and now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That Section 913.02 of the Columbus City Code be and is hereby amended to read as follows:
913.02 - Miscellaneous Contracts
(A) The director of recreation and parks is authorized, with the approval of the recreation and parks commission, to enter into the following contracts on behalf of the city of Columbus: lease of equipment, facilities and property, under control and supervision of the recreation and parks department, to the public for recreation and park purposes; lease of space, fixtures and equipment under the control and supervision of the recreation and parks department to concessionaires for the purpose of operating concessions; contract for various services to be performed on recreation and park facilities and property whereby the city of Columbus incurs no financial obligation, contract with seasonal athletic officials, athletic scorers, and attendants in conjunction with the operation of recreation and parks programs and facilities.
(B) In order to carry out the purpose of Section 913.02, the recreation and parks commission and the director of recreation and parks shall be governed by the guidelines as set forth below:
1. The recreation and parks director, with the approval of the recreation and parks commission, will have the authority to sign various agreements which deal with the day-to-day operations of the department of recreation and parks. Such agreements shall include:
a. Rental of boat docks and boat stakes in accordance with Sections 921.01-7 (Application for city-owned docks, stakes, and moorings) and 921.01-8 (Permitting of private docks, stakes, and moorings) of the Columbus City Codes and in accordance with fees and charges established by the recreation and parks commission.
b. Rental of recreation facilities on an hourly, daily or seasonal basis in accordance with the board of education (where applicable) and in accordance with fees and charges established by the recreation and parks commission.
c. Agreements for the operation of vending machines, telephones, and other utilities within recreation and park facilities where fees and charges will be reimbursed to the recreation and parks department through a fees and charges schedule as approved by the recreation and parks commission.
d. Special permits for the use of parklands, showmobile, shelterhouses, swimming pools, or similar recreation and park facilities or properties where a fee is required (as established by the recreation and parks commission) or a deposit is required to insure proper utilization of facilities.
e. Rental of city-owned golf carts on a daily basis or as established by contractual agreement with a golf cart leasing company with fees and charges established by the recreation and parks commission.
f. Rental of paddleboats, establishment of arts and crafts class fees, establishment of fees for tennis lessons, league fees for sports programs, and related programs as established by fees and charges from the recreation and parks commission, contractual agreements, or cost of program materials.
g. Rental of city-owned residences in accordance with rental rates established by appraised values and approved as a part of the city's master salary ordinance.
2. The recreation and parks director, with the approval of the recreation and parks commission, will have the authority to execute various license agreements, not to exceed two (2) years in length, with individuals, groups, clubs or organizations for the utilization of recreation and parks facilities and/or property which does not involve the expenditure of city of Columbus funds. Such license agreements shall include:
a. License agreements for the use of recreation and park properties for activities commensurate with the development of recreation and park opportunities within Central Ohio such as:
(1)Lease of space for model airplane use;
(2)Lease of White Sulphur Quarry as a ski area;
(3)Lease of properties to boat clubs.
b. Lease of undeveloped properties until such land is required for future development.
3. The recreation and parks director, with the approval of the recreation and parks commission, will have the authority to execute various concession agreements in conjunction with the day-to-day operation of various recreation and parks facilities and programs. In each case, the department of recreation and parks will advertise and seek competitive bids for the operation and privilege of these concessions however, if no bids are received, the director of recreation and parks, with the approval of the recreation and parks commission, has the option to negotiate an appropriate agreement for the privilege of operating a concession for a period not to exceed two (2) years. Such agreements shall include:
a. Gas and oil concessions, boat rental concessions, bait store concessions, and similar concessions relating to the operation and utilization of the reservoir areas.
b. Concession privileges for the sale of food, drinks, etc. at various recreation and parks facilities as a part of the day-to-day operation.
c. Specialized concession agreements that relate to the day-to-day operation of a recreation and park facility.
d. The length of term and procedures for execution of concession agreements shall be as follows:
(1) The contract term shall not exceed two (2) years.
(2) Concession agreements in excess of two (2) years shall be submitted to city council as standard legislation after appropriate approval from the recreation and parks commission.
(3) All agreements shall be approved as to form by the city attorney.
4. The recreation and parks director, with the approval of the recreation and parks commission will have the authority to establish a schedule of special rates for contracting with seasonal athletic officials, athletic scorers, and attendants in conjunction with the operation of recreation and parks programs and facilities, and to contract with such officials, scorers, and attendants for such purpose.
a. All such contracts shall be in accordance with the schedule of special rates established, and
b. Such contracts may be informal on a per-game, per-match, or per-hour-of-game-or-match basis and need not be individually executed in writing.
5. The fees and charges fee policy or fee schedule for all recreation and parks facilities and programs will be established by the recreation and parks commission.
SECTION 2. That the prior existing Section 913.02 of the Columbus City Code is hereby repealed.
SECTION 3. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.