Memo - Athletic Field User FeesPublic Works Department
Memorandum
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
Copy: Mike Mornson, City Manager��
From: Steven J. Stadler, Public Works Director
Date: November 17, 2011
Subject: Athletic Field User Fees
The Park Board is recommending that the City start charging a user fee in 2012 for the reservation
and use of certain athletic fields. This is a practice that is already underway in Minnetonka, the
Hopkins School District and other area cities. A notice was sent to each athletic field user
explaining the new program, showing their estimated fees based on 2010 field usage and inviting
them to a public meeting held prior to the October 24 Park Board meeting — see attached copy of
letter and meeting notice. Two representatives from Hopkins Area Little League (HALL) attended
the meeting. They expressed some concern with additional fees but also understood the city's
need to find additional revenue to support field improvements and maintenance. They asked
about the logistics of how the fee would be collected and it was stated that it would be handled
through Minnetonka Recreation Dept. as field reservations are made and that additional
information would be provided to the field users on the specifics of what to expect next year if the
fees are approved by City Council. In response to a question on whether it would be possible to
perform in-kind maintenance in lieu of paying user fees, it was stated that this would not be an
option. After some discussion, the Park Board unanimously approved a recommendation to
institute the fees in 2012.
The fees would apply to non-Hopkins/Minnetonka Recreation program organizations — a listing of
these organizations that used our athletic fields in 2010 and the estimated 2012 fee is attached.
A chart showing the proposed fees at each athletic field is attached. The proposed fees mirror
what is being charged in Minnetonka with the exception of Buffer and Harley Hopkins parks.
These two parks are considered informal fields as they receive minimal field maintenance and a
reduced fee of $5/reservation is proposed.
If supported, staff intends to request approval of the new fees at the Dec 6 City Council meeting
via resolution.
�'i'� !' l City of qfopkins Public Works11100 EXcelsiorBlvd. • Hopkins, MN55343-3435 • Phone: 952-939-1382• F'aX., 952-939-1381
Web address: www.hopkt:nsmn.com
September 26, 2011
Keith Christensen
3916 Cottage Lane
Minnetonka, MN 55305
Dear Keith:
The City of Hopkins is planning in 2012 to charge a user fee for the reservation and use
of certain athletic fields. The Hopkins Park Board has been discussing this new policy
and has scheduled a public information meeting for athletic field user organizations for
Monday, October 24 — see attached meeting notice. Based on the attached proposed
user fee schedule and your organization's 2010 actual field use, the estimated 2012
cost to Hopkins Youth Football would be $294. The new fees would go towards funding
park capital improvements and ongoing park maintenance.
If you have any questions or concerns on this new City policy please don't hesitate to
call me at 952-548-6350 or email at sstadler anhopkinsmn.com.
Sincerely,
�r
Steven J. Stadler
Public Works Director/Park Board Staff Liaison
Atchs
Partnering with the Community to Enhance the Quality of Life
• Inspire • Educate 4 Involve • Communicate •
Proposed
Athletic Field Use Fee
Schedule
Monday
October 24, 2011
6:00 p.m. — 6:30 p.m.
Location: City Council Chambers
Hopkins City Hall
1010 1 st Street South
Hopkins, MN 55343
You are invited...
The City of Hopkins invites you to a public hearing related to the establishment of an athletic field user
fee schedule for all city -owned athletic fields. You are being sent this notice because our records
indicate that you are a representative of an athletic organization that utilizes city athletic fields for your
group or organization. Please note that this is the only notice that you will receive for this meeting.
What is being proposed?
The Hopkins Park Board is in the process of developing fee recommendations for city-wide athletic
field use effective spring 2012. This fee schedule is intended to establish user fees for all athletic
fields that are available to reserve within city parks. The fee schedule is similar to what the City of
Minnetonka instituted in 2010. Attached is a draft of fees that the park board is considering.
What happens at the meeting?
The meeting will consist of a brief review of impacted fields and proposed fees for use. The park
board is requesting input from user groups before developing final recommendations to be forwarded
to the city council. The public hearing will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., or until all have had the
opportunity to speak, followed by the park board's discussion of this item at their regular meeting
starting at 6:30 p.m.
What if I am unable to attend this meeting?
If you are unable to attend this meeting and have general questions or input to provide to the park
board, please contact the staff representative listed below.
Will there be future meetings?
Yes. Once the park board has developed final recommendations on the city-wide athletic field fee
schedule, those recommendations will be,submitted to the city council for consideration. The date
and time of the city council meeting has yet to be determined.
How can I stay informed?
For upcoming meeting dates, council approvals, or other related information, please visit our web site
at www.hopkinsmn.com or contact:
Steve Stadler, Public Works Director/Park Board Staff Liaison
(952) 548-6350
sstadier@hopkinsmn.com
Athletic Field Users and proposed 2012 fees
(based on 2010 field use)
Group Name and 2012 estimated fee
Hopkins Dynamo Soccer - $615
Hopkins Youth Football - $294
Hopkins Youth Lacrosse - $0
Hopkins Youth Rugby - $1,260
Hopkins Area Little League - $3,780
Hopkins -Minnetonka Babe Ruth - $0
Ultimate Frisbee - $285
Oakes Park Cricket Group - $500
TOTAL: $6,734.00
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED 2012 ATHLETIC FIELD USE FEES
Central
Park #1
Central
Park #1
w/lights
Central
Park #2
Maetzold
Park
Youth
Baseball
#'s1&2
Maetzold
Park
Youth
Baseball
#'s1&2
w/lights
Maetzold
Park
Multi
Purpose
#3
Maetzold
Park
Soccer
Maetzold
Park
Soccer
w/lights
Burnes,
Oakes, Central
#4 & Valley
Multi Purpose
Buffer,
Harley Hopkins
Category A
$5 per day -
Minimum of 50%
Minnetonka/
$20 $30
$20
N/A
N/A
$15
$20
$30
$10
Hopkins resident
2 hour 2 hour
block block
2 hour
2 hour
2 hour
2 hour
I 2 hr
2 hr
2 hour block
reservation
participation &open
block
block
oc
block
block
block
block
registration
Category B
Minimum of 50%
Minnetonka/
$25 $35
$25
$15
$20
$20
$25
$35
$15
$5 per day -
Hopkins resident
2 hour 2 hour
block block
2 hour
2 hour
2 hour
2 hour
2 hour
2 hour
2 hour block
reservation
participation & closed
block
block
block
block
block
block
registration
Category C
Less than 50%
Minnetonka/
$35 $45
$35
$25
$35
$30
$40
$50
N/A
N/A
Hopkins resident
2 hour 2 hour
block
2 hour
2 hour
2 hour
2 hour
2 hour
2 hour
2 hour bloc k
2 hour block
participation
block
block
block
block
block
block
block
I