Versión en español a continuación. Finance Committee of the Parks and Recreation Board Meeting May 10, 2021 Finance Committee of the Parks and Recreation Board to be held May 10, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (May 9, 2021 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the May 10, 2021 Finance Committee of the Parks and Recreation Board Meeting, members of the public must: • Call or email the board liaison at 512-974-6716 or sammi.curless@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. • Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. • Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. • Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. • Handouts or other information may be emailed to sammi.curless@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live • Reunión del Finance Committee of the Parks and Recreation Board May 10, 2021 La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (May 9, 2021 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en 512-974-6716 or sammi.curless@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de teléfono (debe ser el número …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD FINANCE COMMITTEE MONDAY, APRIL 12, 2021 – 3:00PM MINUTES COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Sarah Faust (D-5), Chair Richard DePalma (Mayor) Kate Mason-Murphy (D-3) Kimberly Taylor (D-8) Laura Cottam Sajbel (D-9) Dawn Lewis (D-10), Ex-Officio The Finance Committee convened in a special meeting on Monday, April 12, 2021 via videoconference in Austin, Texas. Chair Faust called the meeting to order at 3:00pm. Committee Members in Attendance: Chair Sarah Faust, Laura Cottam Sajbel, Richard DePalma, Kate Mason-Murphy, Kimberly Taylor and Dawn Lewis, Ex Officio. Staff in Attendance: Kimberly McNeeley, Suzanne Piper, Vanorda Richardson, Nicholas Johnson, Steven Linett, Ed Morris and Sammi Curless. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL There were no registered speakers. A. NEW BUSINESS: PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS 1. Discussion and possible action on the 2021 meeting schedule including time of day to conduct meeting. Committee Member Cottam Sajbel made a motion to have the 2021 meeting schedule as the 2nd Monday of each month in the 1-5pm time slot but re-evaluate the meeting time in the fall; Committee Member Mason-Murphy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 2. Presentation, discussion and possible action regarding a recommendation to the Parks and Recreation Board as it relates to requests for additional funding to address Fiscal Year 2022 under resourced service expectations. Committee Member Cottam Sajbel made a motion to recommend to the Parks and Recreation Board to recommend to the City Council that consideration be given to funding the following under resourced service expectations in the Fiscal Year 2022 budget: Page 1 of 3 • Increased summer camp capacity, • Additional park ranger resources, • Added security services for various pool facilities, • Enhanced department-wide security support, • Additional staffing at Barton Springs Pool, • Increased Athletics maintenance support, • Increased department-wide training support and • Extended hours at Bartholomew Pool, Committee Member Mason-Murphy seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 3. Presentation, discussion and possible action regarding a recommendation to the Parks and Recreation Board as it relates to the Parks and Recreation Department Fiscal Year 2022 budget. Committee Member DePalma made a motion to recommend to the Parks and Recreation Board the acceptance the Fiscal Year 2022 budget as presented by the Parks and Recreation Department; Committee Member Cottam Sajbel second the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 4. Discussion on the purpose and intent of the Finance Committee. Chair Faust led the discussion with the following comments from …
Proposed Agenda Financial Committee 2021 May 10, 2021 June 14, 2021 Fees – charged for services and programs August 9, 2021 Fees – Park Maintenance Fee; Park District Fee; convert PARD from General Fund to Enterprise Development Taxes; HOT Tax, Recreation, Arts & Parks Tax; Ad valorem tax; Cemetery maintenance tax; PID; PPID; Special Improvement District Fund September 13, 2021 Districts: Public Improvement District; Park Public Improvement; Special Improvement District Fund Parkland dedication; Parks partners and equity across system; Unrestricted donations October 11, 2021 Sale of Land Budget definitions November 8, 2021 December 13, 2021 End of year report January 10, 2021 February 7, 2021 March 14, 2021 April 11, 2021 Budget Budget Budget
Parks and Recreation Board Financial Committee Potential Items for Consideration April 12, 2021 1. FUNDING AVENUES • HOT Tax allocation to historical & tourist parks (referred from Parks and Recreation • Recreation, Arts, & Parks Tax1 • Ad Valorem Tax Texas Local Government Code Chapter 331 • Cemetery maintenance ad valorem tax • Public Improvement District, Texas Local Government Code Chapter 3722 • Park Public Improvement District in format described in Local Government Code Chapter 372.021: Special Improvement District Fund Tax Related Board) Fee Related • Park Maintenance Fee3 • Park District Fee Other • Sale of land and endowment • Budget Definitions • Partnerships (Are partnerships part of Contracts & Concessions?)(referred from Alternative Funding Working Group) Capital improvements Operation and maintenance 1 Added to existing sales tax. 2 Defined geographic area to jointly plan and put in place a sustainable funding source that can pay for a set of services to improve their area. 3 Creation of a Park Maintenance Free to be imposed and levied upon the responsible party of all developed property within the City of Austin, similar in structure to the Transportation User Fee. • Convert PARD from General Fund to Enterprise Department • Unrestricted donations directly to PARD (referred from Alternative Funding Working • Costs related to park development (capital projects); costs related to maintenance • Energy (older facilities opportunity to increase efficiency – energy savings performance • Services for seniors (given projections for senior population are we planning to meet Group) Increase fees. • BUDGET – RELATED • ADA accommodation • Reorganization of Park Rangers; conservation corps; • Continued discussion of under-resourced needs. -deferred maintenance presentation contracts) and water costs (reuse). needs). 2. RESEARCH NEEDS • Visitor counts from PARD (dramatic drop). city. • Dogs per capita. • Spending per population; index to population growth. – historical information • Rate of loss of yards/informal parks/open space as density increases in central
Austin Parks and Recreation Department Financial Services Division Finance Committee Presentation May 10, 2021 2 General Legal Framework Austin Process Austin’s process for setting fees: Program determines if fee is needed, and if so, how much can we charge. Amount usually determined by fee study (formal ones are usually done by outside experts, informal can be done with assistance from Budget Office). Annual adoption of the Ordinance Setting Fees and Charges – part of budget process. http://www.cityofaustin.org/edims/document.cfm?id=158460 New Programs developed after budget may require amendments to fee ordinance. 3 Austin’s Home Rule Police Power A home rule city may do anything authorized by its charter & not specifically prohibited or preempted by the Texas Constitution, state, or federal law. City may regulate a range of local activities to promote the general welfare of the city’s residents. Austin’s home rule police power authorizes a fee if the fee is regulatory and the amount is based on the cost of the regulation. 4 User Fees User fees are payments given in return for a government provided benefit. 4 criteria: Paid in exchange for a particular government service which benefits the party paying the fee in a manner not shared by other members of society. Paid by choice - the party paying the fee has the option of not utilizing the government service and can therefore avoid the charge. Paid to compensate the government entity providing the services for its expenses and not to raise revenue. Based on actual costs to the city for expenses funded by the fee. 5 User Fee Examples Fees for swimming Park rentals After-school programs at recreation centers 6 General Legal Framework for User Fees All cities assess a variety of fees and it is legal to do that. The Texas Constitution prohibits cities from assessing unauthorized taxes. Fees that generate revenue in excess of what is needed to operate the program can be found by a court to be unauthorized taxes. No prohibition on charging more to outside of city users of services unless the amount is in excess of the cost to provide the service. All Fees Must Have A Clear Legal Basis The City may charge a fee if the legal basis for the fee is sound and Council has approved it. The legal basis for a …
Parks & Recreation Department - General Fund Fee Note FY 2020-21 Fee Schedule Cemetery Support City Cemeteries Disinterment Adult (raising of vault not included) Cremated Remains Infant Raising of Vault Disinterment and Reinterments Adult Infant Interments Additional Fees Funerals without 12 working hrs. notice Set-Up (no other services provided by the contractor - Saturday & Sunday) Set-Up (no other services provided by the contractor - weekday) Set-Up (with other services provided by the contractor) Adults Holidays (all City of Austin-recognized holidays) Holiday Fee assessed in addition to stated interment Fee Saturday Sunday Infants and Cremated Remains Holidays (all City of Austin-recognized holidays) Holiday Fee assessed in addition to stated interment Fee Saturday Sunday Other Services and Fees Administrative Fees Dedicated Research Fee (15 - 60 minutes) Dedicated Research Fee (Each additional hour) $1,540.00 $400.00 $435.00 $350.00 $3,000.00 $525.00 $450.00 $600.00 $450.00 $250.00 $1,540.00 $1,350.00 $1,665.00 $2,000.00 $585.00 $760.00 $730.00 $1,250.00 $25.00 $40.00 $50.00 $85.00 Deed Recording Inspection Fee All monument work performed at by City of Austin cemeteries approved outside contractors is may be subject to inspection fee. Time Sale Late Payment Fee Invertable Vase plus Installation $15.00 $75.00 plus tax Note plus tax per square inch per relevel plus tax FY 2020-21 Fee Schedule Parks & Recreation Department - General Fund Liner Sales Liner Handling Fee Handling Fee associated with use of liners other than those available through City of Austin Monument Setting All Corner and/or Foot Markers All Monument Settings Military Markers Tabloid Monument Releveling Special Public Service/Maintenance Request Live Tree Removal for Space Openings/Closing (permit required) Revegetation - Selective sod, (per burial/space) Temporary Marker available for sale at City of Austin Cemeteries Tent Setups Space Sales Austin Memorial Park All Sections, Full Burial Space Infant Spaces/Cremation Spaces Isolated, Single Adult Spaces City Selected All Sections, Full Burial Space Infant Spaces/Cremation Spaces Oakwood and Annex Adult Spaces (as designated in cemeteries) Infant Spaces/Cremation Spaces (as designated) Recreational Use/Entry Fees Additional Fee Waiver Information Fees are as listed below, unless specifically waived as part of a Parkland Use Agreement. Aquatics Fee $475.00 $85.00 $17.00 $0.70 $75.00 $100.00 $25.00 - $200.00 $220.00 $200.00 $35.00 $200.00 $2,775.00 $900.00 $1,380.00 15% $1,850.00 $850.00 $2,675.00 $850.00 Cemetery Maintenance Surcharge This fee will be added to the cost of each space sold at a City of Austin cemetery, and will be used toward care and maintenance of the five cemeteries operated by the City. …
Parks and Recreation Department - Golf Fund Fee Note FY 2020-21 Fee Schedule Recreational Use/Entry Fees Golf Fees The Golf Division may offer discounted fees under the following conditions: 1. When the daily temperature is above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. When the daily temperature is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. 3. When the golf course is under repair. 4. During other periods of low attendance. 5. One free adult round with the purchase of one full-price adult round. 6. One free junior round with the purchase of one full-price adult round. 7. City employees with City-issued identification. 8. Veterans with U.S. government-issued identification. 9. Residents of the City of Austin. Annual Card Use Fee Annual Golf Cart Permits Private Golf Carts Trail Fee for Private Users Annual Memberships Facility Use Fee - All facilities (Per Course/Day) Golf Lessons Golf Surcharges These surcharges do not apply to rounds played at Roy Kizer Golf Course. Golf CIP Surcharge Municiple Lease Golf Tournament Fees Driving Range Ball Fee Golf Cart Use Fee Other Tournaments - Same as Green Fee Tournament Fee Other Tournaments - Same as Green Fee Per Player Other Tournaments and Events Tournament and Event Fee Tournament player fee $0.50 - $5.00 $40.00 $1.00 $81.00 - $2,500.00 $250.00 $40.00 $1.00 - $2.50 $1.00 $3.00 - $20.00 $9.00 - $25.00 $200.00 $35.00 $0.00 - $200.00 $3.00 - $35.00 per round, golfers with private carts Adults (18 thru 61 years) Juniors (under 18 years) Seniors (62 years and older) maximum maximum per person per player FY 2020-21 Fee Schedule Parks and Recreation Department - Golf Fund Tournament Fee Per Player UIL Spectator Fee UT Austin Intercollegiate NCAA-approved tournaments Tournament Fee Tournament player fee Green Fees Note: the following fees INCLUDE applicable surcharges mentioned above. Fee $1.00 $5.00 $0.00 $1.00 Note per person per player per round Grey Rock Golf Club Club Initiation Fee Daily Use Fee Monthly Membership Fee Hancock Regular Round Jimmy Clay Regular Round Lions Municipal Regular Round Morris Williams Regular Round Roy Kizer Golf Course Cart Trail Fee Regular Round Learning Center Each Additional Hour $1,000.00 - $4,000.00 $3.00 - $90.00 $65.00 - $650.00 $3.00 - $55.00 $3.00 - $55.00 $3.00 - $55.00 $3.00 - $55.00 $16.00 $3.00 - $55.00 $3.00 - $35.00 $25.00 - $500.00 $75.00 Par 3 Learning Center Short Course Use Fee - Lions Municipal Golf Course Clubhouse Ballroom and Conference Room per round maximum (4 hours)
n o i t a t c e p x E y r e v o c e R t s o C s v y d i s b u S Tax Use/Subsidy Allocation Philosophy & Model 2017-2019 Goal Subsidy = 0% Goal Subsidy = 0% Actual Avg. = 0% Goal Subsidy : 10-20% Actual Avg. = 30.51% Goal Subsidy = 5-25% Actual Avg. = 39.4% Goal Subsidy = 40-50% Actual Avg. = 51.7% Goal Subsidy = 45-65% Actual Avg. = 61.86% Goal Subsidy = 85-95% Actual Avg. Course = 95.18% Actual Avg. Membership = 77.04% Service Categories Goal Subsidy = 95–100% Actual Avg. = 98.72% Goal Subsidy = 100%` Greatest community benefit Greatest individual benefit Goal CR = >100% Goal CR = 100% Actual Avg. 264.81% Goal CR : 80-90% Actual Avg. = 69.49% Goal CR = 75-95% Actual Avg. = 60.6% Goal CR = 50-60% Actual Avg. = 48.3% d r a f t 1 - 2 3 - 2 0 1 7 n o i t a t c e p x E y r e v o c e R t s o C s v y d i s b u S Cost Recovery (CR) Allocation Philosophy & Model 2017-2019 Goal CR = 35–55% Actual Avg. = 38.14% Goal CR = 5-15% Actual Avg. Course = 4.82% Actual Avg. Membership = 22.96% Goal CR = 0 – 5% Actual Avg. = 1.28% Goal CR = 0% Greatest community benefit Greatest individual benefit Service Categories
Services Categories NON-MONITORED ACCESS Open, unsupervised access to parkland, amenities, sites of historic significance, and facilities. [Examples include: Access to trails; historically significant amenities; splash pads; preserved land and open spaces’ and to public restrooms] EVENTS – OPEN Organized community gatherings to celebrate historic, cultural, or other events appropriate for a broad section of the Austin community. These events are designed for any or all ages, interests, needs, and abilities/skills. [Examples include: Kite Festival; MLK Celebration; and Zilker Hill Side Theater] DROP-IN Drop-in activities that may or may not require registration and include some form of general staff and/or volunteer monitoring and oversight. [Examples include: open gym; neighborhood & municipal pools; access to museums and cultural centers, community recreation centers and the Nature Center; MCC exhibits; and senior social activities and senior meals] LIFE SKILLS/ENRICHMENT Led and/or supervised activities that focus on education, socialization, life skills development and personal enrichment. [Examples include: youth out-of-school time programming; non-skill focused camps (nature camps); senior programs/enrichment; school field trips; Summer Playground Program; Boredom Busters; drop-in afterschool; and Museum and Cultural Centers (MCC) tours] EVENTS – FOCUSED Events focused on a target audience and specialized in design. They are developed with a specific age group, interest, need, and ability/skill, in mind. These events typically serve a market niche. [Examples include: Trick or Treat trails; Breakfast w/Santa; Pun Off; Easter Egg Hunt; Senior Trips; Family Night; and Polkapocolypse] SKILL FOCUSED SERVICES – BEGINNER Classes, clinics, workshops, and other structured recreation activities in which pre-registration is required and the primary intent is to acquire a specific skill set. [Examples include: beginner swim lessons; creative writing classes; technology programs; language classes; nature/outdoor based skills (camping, rock climbing, gardening); skill-based camps; and mountain biking] January 2017 SKILL FOCUSED SERVICES – INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED Classes, clinics, workshops and other structured recreational activities in which the primary intent is to enhance a special skill set. Pre-registration and some form of prerequisite demonstrating skill proficiency is required. [Examples include: Intermediate swim lessons; swim team; creative writing; tournaments; adult leagues; art classes and dance; Camacho bike team; advanced study in art; independent study (e.g., study ceramics)] RENTALS This service consists of park, shelter, and other facility rentals available for reservation including events held in partnership or by agreement with third party operators. [Examples include: facility and field/park rentals; Zilker Club House, pavilions, picnic areas; ACL; and, SXSW; golf greens fees, memberships and events] RESALE …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD FINANCIAL COMMITTEE MONDAY, MAY 10, 2021 – 3:00PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING MINUTES The Financial Committee convened in a regular meeting on Monday, May 10, 2021 via videoconference in Austin, Texas. Chair Faust called the meeting to order at 3:05pm. Committee Members in Attendance: Chair Sarah Faust, Laura Cottam Sajbel, Richard DePalma, Kate Mason-Murphy, Kimberly Taylor and Dawn Lewis, Ex Officio. Staff in Attendance: Kimberly McNeeley, Suzanne Piper, Vanorda Richardson, Nicholas Johnson, Steven Linett, Ed Morris and Sammi Curless. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL No registered speakers. A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes from the special meeting of April 12, 2021 Financial Committee were approved unanimously on Committee Member Cottam Sajbel motion and Committee Member DePalma second. B. NEW BUSINESS: PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS 1. Presentation and discussion of the process for the annual adoption of fees and charges. Ed Morris, Financial Analyst III with the Parks and Recreation Department made a presentation. The Committee discussed but no action was taken. 2. Discussion on Committee agenda development for 2021. Chair Faust led the discussion of topics for the Committee’s 2021 agenda. The Committee took no action. C. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS • June meeting: park-focused fee on utility bill, impacts of COVID on Department revenues; cost drivers for major programs of the Department; presentation of Page 1 of 2 Alternative Funding working group recommendations. Chair Faust adjourned the meeting 4:33pm. Page 2 of 2
