Agenda Item No: W.1
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: December 17, 2024
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: David Gassaway, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution 2024-297
Approving an Increase and Establishing New Fees for the Rockville Hills Regional Park Entrance Fee Schedule
Funding Source: N/A
Contact: Valerie Standfill, (707) 428-7055
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Hold public hearing and adopt resolution.
STATEMENT OF ISSUE
Staff and the Rockville Hills Regional Park Citizen Advisory Committee (Committee) recommend that the City Council hold a public hearing regarding Rockville Hills Regional Park (Rockville Park) user fees and adopt a resolution to approve an updated fee schedule, which includes a one-time increase to the existing entrance fees and the establishment of new entrance fee types effective January 1, 2025.
DISCUSSION
Rockville Park is a 633-acre public park and open space area located in the northwest portion of Fairfield. The council established the Committee in 2007 by Resolution No. 2007 -319 to advise the City regarding the management, planning, maintenance, and operation of the park.
At the October 24, 2024, quarterly meeting, the Committee recognized the need to increase park entrance fees to address staffing and maintenance funding shortfalls. Entrance fees for Rockville Park were originally established in 2004 and were most recently updated in 2009. The budgeted operations and maintenance expenses for fiscal year (FY) 2024 -2025 is $620,000, while park entrance fees are currently projected to be $100,000 based on the average revenue generated by these fees between FY 2019 -2020 and FY 2023 -2024. The deficit has been and will continue to be supplemented by the General Fund.
After reviewing current needs and receiving feedback from Rockville Park visitors, the Committee recommends that the council adopt a resolution to increase the entrance fees for certain Day Use Passes and 6 -Month Season Passes, elimina te group passes, and establish a new Annual Season Pass entrance fee as follows:
Current Proposed
Use Type Visitor Type Resident Non-Resident Resident Non-Resident Day Use Pass
Individual $3 $3 $5 $5
Dog $1 $1 $1 $1
Group (1-5 people) $15 $15 - -
Group (6-10 people) $30 $30 - -
Group (11-15 people) $45 $45 - -
6-Month
Season Pass
Individual $19 $20 $30 $36
Family $32 $35 $75 $96
Disabled $10 $13 $15 $21
Senior (50+) $10 $13 $15 $21
Student $10 $13 $15 $21
Dog $11 $13 $15 $21
Annual
Season Pass
Individual - - $60 $72
Family - - $150 $192
Disabled - - $30 $42
Senior (50+) - - $30 $42
Student - - $30 $42
Dog - - $30 $42
Parking Any $0 $0 $0 $0
The proposed fees closely align with other regional park entrance fees, including Napa Valley State Park, Skyline Wilderness Park (Napa), Lagoon Valley Park (Vacaville), Sacramento County Parks, East Bay Regional Parks, Yolo County Parks, and Solano County Parks, and are projected to generate an additional $62,000 annually based on the past five years' revenue. The Committee recommends reviewing fees for future updates in two years.
The additional revenue generated by increased fees and new fees would be used to fund essential park improvements, including trail maintenance, enhanced visitor facilities, and habitat preservation efforts. Additionally, the revenue would support regular upkeep and safety measures to ensure that the park remains a secure and ac cessible outdoor space for the community. By investing in these areas, the park can continue to provide a high -quality recreational experience while protecting its natural resources and ecosystems for future generations.
It is pertinent to note that the revenue is not intended to fund new services; rather, it is intended to offset the costs of providing existing services that are recoverable from fees. While fees may rise annually, labor and contract services costs, which are typically the primary driver s of fee - related costs, also rise annually. Recalibrating these fees periodically provides an offset of existing expenditures and needs and is not intended to expand service levels at this time.
On May 7, 2024, council adopted Resolution No. 2024 -111 Ame nding the City’s Master Fee Schedule. However, the Rockville Park fee schedule was omitted from this update pending the Committee’s review and recommendations. Staff and the Committee recommend the adoption of the attached resolution to approve the proposed fees effective January 1, 2025.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
As currently drafted, the additional revenue generated by the proposed increased and new fees is anticipated to be approximately $62,000 annually.
PUBLIC CONTACT/ADVISORY BODY RECOMMENDATION
At the August 29, 2024, Committee meeting, the Committee motioned for City staff to bring a drafted resolution to the next Committee meeting with a full revised fee schedule.
At the October 24, 2024, Committee meeting, the Committee approved the propose d entrance fees as attached to the proposed resolution.
A notice of public hearing was published on December 1, 2024, in the local newspaper, Daily Republic.
A website notification was posted for review prior to the public hearing.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
The council may choose not to adopt the proposed resolution.
COORDINATED WITH
City Attorney’s Office
STAFF CONTACT
Gary Sponsler, Landscape Maintenance Manager
(707) 428-4701
[email protected]
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 2: Proposed Resolution
Attachment 3: Proposed Fee Schedule