Title
a. Adopt a Resolution amending Article V of the Monterey County Master Fee Resolution relating to Parks User Fees for park use, enforcement, and rentals, effective April 8, 2021; and
b. Authorize the Public Works, Facilities, & Parks Director, or his designee to make nonsubstantive modifications as to formatting only.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Adopt a Resolution amending Article V of the Monterey County Master Fee Resolution relating to Parks User Fees for park use, enforcement, and rentals, effective April 8, 2021; and
b. Authorize the Public Works, Facilities, & Parks Director, or his designee to make nonsubstantive modifications as to formatting only.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Monterey County Master Fee Resolution-Article V-Parks User Fees (Article V) was last updated and became effective on January 10, 2019. The Department of Public Works, Facilities, & Parks (PWFP) staff evaluated current park operations and reviewed the fee article as it pertains to use of facilities and access to parks.
Operational issues identified since the adoption of the current fee Article V include:
1) Customer and staff concern with delays at the entry gate due to 2019 fee change from vehicles to walk-in/pedestrian. This delay is compounded during high-use periods - weekends, special events, and holidays.
2) Customer comments regarding lack of transparency of fees. The established fee for annual passes or reservable areas does not include the added processing fee, credit card fee (if applicable), and day-use entry fee charged to enter a park.
3) A drop in Park Revenue was experienced. Revenues were compared for the 2018 and 2019 peak seasons (April-September). The comparison found a 14 percent (14%) overall average reduction in day-use revenue ($234,467 [2018] vs. $202,383 [2019]. This revenue loss was partially attributed to customer comments listed in items 1 and 2 above and that several large RV groups are no...
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