REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
December 10, 2015
FROM: MANUEL A. MOLLINEDO, Director
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
BY: KAREN M. NORRIS, Administrative Manager
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
DIANE PRINTZ-WHITE, Management Analyst II
Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services Department
SUBJECT
Title
***RESOLUTION - Authorizing City’s Parks, After School, Recreation and Community Services (PARCS) Department to administratively update the Master Fee Schedule fees annually for Camp Fresno and Camp Fresno Jr. to reflect the twelve month percentage change in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index.
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council adopt the attached Resolution authorizing PARCS to administratively update the Master Fee Schedule fees for Camp Fresno and Camp Fresno Jr., on an annual basis, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index (CPI) (Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers for San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose area).
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Camp Fresno and Camp Fresno Jr. are owned by the City and located near Shaver Lake on Sierra National Forest property. PARCS is requesting to administratively update annually the fees charged to camp patrons over the next five years. This gradual increase in the fee schedule will help bring the rates charged closer to market value while still maintaining an affordable family and youth group camping experience. The funds generated would be used to pay for ongoing maintenance of facilities and replacement of aging infrastructure. Rates would be adjusted annually on January 1st to reflect the twelve month percentage change in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index (CPI) (Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers for San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose area), for the most current month that data is available.
BACKGROUND
Camp Fresno was constructed in the Sierra National Forest under a permit by the United States Forest Service. The camp is located approximately sixty-two miles northeast of Fresno and was opened in 1926 to provide low cost camping experiences for groups and families. Camp Fresno consists of twenty-two two-bedroom cabins and twenty-nine one-bedroom cabins. In 1956, four acres were added to the permit, and Camp Fresno Jr. was constructed. Camp Fresno Jr. offers group housing which accommodates up to ninety people, and includes two dorms, three cabins, a dining pavilion and a fully equipped kitchen. The operation and maintenance of the camp has been contracted out to a concessionaire for the past thirty-one years.
Many years of below market rental rates have not generated sufficient revenue to adequately fund the maintenance of the camp infrastructure. General Fund dollars have been periodically used to fund capital improvement projects which otherwise would not have been funded. Historically, rate increases for the camps have been sporadic and have never included automatic increases. During the period between 2004 and 2010, rates were increased between three and fifteen percent every two years. Since 2010, there have been no changes to the Camp Fresno Master Fee Schedule. This year, PARCS has submitted increases for Camp Fresno as part of this year’s Master Fee Schedule update.
Camp Fresno is in need of an infusion of funds for rehabilitation and repairs due to many years of deferred maintenance and an aging infrastructure. Many years of below market rental rates have not generated sufficient revenue to fund a capital improvement program adequate to maintain the camp at a level that provides visitors with a positive experience.
Rental rates should not be increased too dramatically, as this would affect the perceived value of the camp to patrons and could negatively affect visitor attendance. PARCS is proposing that rates be administratively adjusted each year on January 1st to reflect the twelve month percentage change in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index (CPI) (Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers for San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose area), for the most current month that data is available. By annually increasing rates at the camps over the next five years, this department would be able to make improvements to the infrastructure which will allow patrons to see the value of paying higher rental rates.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Authorizing PARCS regarding fee schedules is not a “project” as defined by California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines § 15378.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference was not considered because this Resolution does not include a bid or award of a construction or service contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the City’s General Fund. The funds received by the City from Camp Fresno and Camp Fresno Jr. will be placed in a Camp Fresno capital fund and earmarked for camp improvements only.
Attachment:
Resolution