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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.E.1. Implementation of a Dog Park Pass Program for the dog Pag within Southbridge Community Park `..1.1111111111 General Business 10. E. 1. SHAKOPPEE TO: Mayor and City Council Mark McNeill, City Administrator FROM: Jamie Polley, Parks, Recreation&Natural Resources Director DATE: 07/15/2014 SUBJECT: Implementation of a Dog Park Pass Program for the Dog Park within Southbridge Community Park (A, D) Action Sought The City Council is asked to approve the PRAB's recommendation regarding a dog park pass. Background On September 23, 2013 the PRAB considered the idea of a dog park pass for the dog park in the future Southbridge Community Park. At the November 18th, 2013 PRAB meeting the PRAB voted 4-3 to charge an admission fee for the use of the dog park. The board also recommended 4-1 (2 abstaining)that staff should move forward in the pursuit of a partnership with TRPD. Staff began the discussion with Mark Themig of TRPD. Mr. Themig oversees the Scott County park operations. On February 6, 2014 the TRPD Board of Commissioners was presented with the potential partnership.The proposal stated that if the partnership was supported and the City chose to move forward with charging a fee for the dog park, the City would install a "LUKE" automated pay station that would track daily fees and could be linked to the TRPD's system. The pay station could also be linked to the City's system is desired. The City would be responsible for the maintenance and management fees of the automated pay station. The TRPD's Board of Commissioners was unanimously supportive of the idea. Discussion On February 18, 2014 the City Council moved to negotiate a partnership agreement with TRPD regarding a possible joint dog park pass. The City Council also inquired as to whether TRPD could track all season passes sold to Shakopee residents. Through further discussions and negotiations with Mr. Themig on behalf of TRPD, the annual passes sold to residents of zip code 55379 can be tracked. In 2003 204 passes were sold to Shakopee area residents and in 2014 to date 164 passes have been sold(these numbers do include a few second passes/same household). The previous terms presented included the City retaining 100% of the daily pass revenue collected at the automated pay station. In addition, if the City sold annual passes at the Community Center the City would retain 50% of the annual pass revenue. Through further negotiations, the City would still retain 100% of the daily pass revenue collected at the automated pay station and 25% of all annual passes sold to residents with a 55379 zip code. The fee for a daily pass is $5.00. The fee for an annual pass is $35.00 and $17.50 for each additional dog pass within the same household. The City could still chose to sell the dog park pass at the Community Center however under these terms the City would then retain 25% of the revenue. Individuals can purchase a annual pass on line through TRPD. Residents would not be able to purchase the TRPD pass on line through the City. At this time annual passes can also not be purchased at the automated pay stations. In addition to the City Council's motion to negotiate a partnership with TRPD they also requested that the PRAB look at a possible stand-alone permit operation. The City could develop a annual dog park pass that would allow individuals the use of Shakopee's dog park only.These passes could be sold at the Community Center, City Hall or on line through the City. The passes would have a different look then the TRPD passes. Users could also still utilize the TRPD pass or pay the daily fee through the automated pay system. Additional options include; not partnering with TRPB and have a pass for the Shakopee Dog Park only or to only allow dogs with a Shakopee dog license to utilize the park and the use of the park would be included in the license fee. The PRAB discussed the different options at length. The recommendation of the PRAB is to partner with TRPD and also sell a City of Shakopee Dog Park pass. By both partnering and selling our own pass the residents are given the option of paying more for the use of the TRPD parks. If the City Council approves the PRAB's recommendation the proposal to partner with TRPD will be submitted to the TRPD Board of Commissioners for final approval. Budget Impact The cost to initially install the "LUKE" is approximately $18,000 which could become part of the Southbridge Community Park project cost. The cost for the pay station could also be funded utilizing funds budged in the park development general fund budget. Based on the annual revenue minus the expenses for Spring Lake dog park for 2013 an estimated $2400 in revenue from daily use fees can be expected. Revenue would also be generated from the sales of the Shakopee pass as well as 25% of TRPD revenue for annual passes sold to 55379 residents. Based on the number of passes sold in 2013 this is estimated at $1800. The PRAB discussed the license fees and the Shakopee dog park pass fee at length and are recommending to the City Council an annual dog license fee of$15.00 with the option to purchase 1, 2 or 3 years at a time based on the expiration date of the dog s rabbis vaccination(similar to St. Louis Park). The PRAB is also recommending a Shakopee Dog Park pass annual fee of$10 per dog. These recommendation will be presented to the City Council at a future meeting as an amendment to the Fee Schedule. Staff would also recommend that the fees (or a portion thereof) from the annual dog park passes and dog license go towards maintenance and operations of the dog park. Requested Action The City Council, if concur, approve the recommendation of the PRAB to sell a City of Shakopee dog park pass and submit a proposal to Three Rivers Park District to partner on their annual dog park pass where the City would retain 100% of all daily fees and 25% of annual pass fees sold to residents of zip code 55379. Attachments: