Report Prepared by: Michelle Reid, Recreation Supervisor, Recreation and Parks Department
Title
SUBJECT: Approval of Reduction of Per Session Fees Charged for Swimming Lessons from the Established Rate of $35 to $10 for Swimming Lessons Offered from June 17 to August 1, 2019
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers temporarily lowering swim lesson fees charged by the City from $35 per session to $10 per session for its Water Safety and Swimming Lessons Programs offered from June 17 to August 1, 2019.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion approving the temporary reduction in the fees charged for swimming lessons from $35 to $10 per session during the summer of 2019; and, authorizing the City Manager or the Assistant City Manager to execute the necessary documents.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by staff (identify specific findings and/or conditions amended to be addressed in the motion); or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items (specific items to be addressed in the motion); or,
5. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion).
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Youth Programs as provided for in the 2018/2019 budget
DISCUSSION
On June 16, 2008, the Merced City Council established the rate for swim lessons at $35 a session. In order to lower the cost of the swim lessons for the programs offered during the summer of 2019, the City Council must approve a rate change.
The City is offering swim lessons to the public this summer at McNamara Pool and Merced High School. Three sets of lessons are being offered from June 17 through June 27 (in Fiscal Year 2018-19), and July 8 through July 18 and July 22 through August 1 (in Fiscal Year 2019-20).
The 30-minute lessons are held Monday through Thursday at both locations. McNamara Pool sessions range from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., prior to the start of recreational swimming. The sessions at the Merced High Pool are offered from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Offering lessons at Merced High School and McNamara provides the opportunity to serve different geographic locations while adding flexibility for busy parents.
In 2016 staff was informed that the Swim 4 Jaylin Scholarship Fund, which had provided $6,000 to the Aquatics Division in exchange for $10 swim lesson fees for all participants, was no longer available. The Department was able to mitigate the lost funds with a grant from First 5 of Merced County for $3,000 for the last few years.
The First 5 of Merced County grant provides reduced fees for registrants from ages 6 months to 5 years old. Per grant guidelines, the cost will remain at $10 per session for children in the applicable age group. In an effort to serve more participants and provide valuable swim lessons to children up to fourteen (14) years old, staff is requesting that the established fee of $35 be reduced to $10 per session for all swimmers.
The total cost for three sessions of swim lessons this year is approximately $47,800. The reduced price does not affect revenue, as swim lesson fees were budgeted in FY 18/19 at $10 per session in anticipation of continuing the service to the community. The revenue and expenses associated with providing swim lessons will be evaluated when recommending a fee modification in future years.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No impact on revenue line 024-1221-360.02-01.