TO: Committee of the Whole - Parks and Environmental Sustainability
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Parks |
Loreen Hamilton |
425-556-2336 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Parks |
Ryan Goodman |
Parks Supervisor |
|
Parks |
Brittany Pratt |
Parks Manager |
|
Parks |
Levi Ouellette |
Parks Program Assistant |
TITLE:
title
Recreation Fee Assistance Program Update
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
The Fee Assistance program is designed to support community members who need financial assistance to participate in recreation activities. Following financial analysis and a community stakeholder group, the program has been enhanced this year with the goal of making recreation activity more accessible. Fee Assistance is available to all participants who meet residence and income eligibility requirements and can be applied to recreation activity fees within the calendar year.
body
☐ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☒ Receive Information ☐ Provide Direction ☐ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
Cost of Service Methodology, PARCC Plan
• Required:
N/A
• Council Request:
N/A
• Other Key Facts:
N/A
OUTCOMES:
The Fee Assistance Program helps close the gap between the Cost-of-Service model adopted by the Parks and Recreation Department and community needs.
Key changes made to the program include:
• Increased funding from 1% of Recreation Activity Fund (RAF) gross revenue to 3%
• Removed family cap
• Increased individual cap from $450 per calendar year to $1,000 per calendar year
• Instituted yearly raise of individual cap by CPI
• Initiated and established process for biannual analysis of program in conjunction with budget process
• Increased locations across the city to find applications and information; applications available in person and online
• Increased locations and staff to process applications
• Simplified and streamlined form to be in alignment with new Smart Rec software and reduce community barriers
• Creation and implementation of robust communications plan for program
• Expanded application translations now include: Spanish, Hindi, Russian, and Chinese (PRC)
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
o Community stakeholder meetings hosted in December 2023 and January 2024. Stakeholder group consisted of individuals representing Lake Washington School District, Senior Advisory Committee, Parks and Trails Committee, Parks department staff, and Fee Assistance recipients.
o Expanded paper application availability across City sites, local schools, and libraries (where allowed)
o Expanded marketing of program including links on recreation software, website links, printed materials in parks, presentations at recreation programs/events, senior newsletter and lunches
o Translation expanded to Spanish, Hindi, Russian, and Chinese (PRC)
• Outreach Methods and Results:
N/A
• Feedback Summary:
A revised Fee Assistance structure is needed to better support financial needs expressed by the community.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
3% of Recreation Activity Fund (RAF) gross revenue
Approved in current biennial budget: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
0000008
Budget Priority:
Healthy and Sustainable
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
If yes, explain:
N/A
Funding source(s):
Recreation Activity Fund (RAF)
Budget/Funding Constraints:
N/A
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
N/A |
None proposed at this time |
N/A |
Time Constraints:
N/A
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
N/A
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Fee Assistant Application