STAFF REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
DATE: Regular Meeting of June 27, 2023
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
SUBMITTED BY: Dante Hall, City Manager
SUBJECT: Facility Fee Waiver Requests for the Rodeo-Hercules Fire District (RHFD) and the Western Contra Costa Integrated Waste Management Authority (WCCIWMA) RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
Receive staff report on this issue;
Ask any clarifying questions of staff; and
Take comments from the public; and
Authorize the City Manager to waive City Council Chamber rental fees for the Rodeo-Hercules Fire District (RHFD) and the Western Contra Costa Integrated Waste Management Authority (WCCIWMA) Monthly Board Meetings.
BACKGROUND AND:
Rodeo Fire Protection District (RHFD)
The Rodeo Fire Protection District (District) was formed on February 26, 1937, as an independent special district and established to provide fire protection services to the unincorporated community of Rodeo. In 1978, the City of Hercules was annexed, and subsequently, the name of the District was changed to the Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District.
The Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District Board of Directors meets every second Wednesday of the month (October’s meeting is the last Wednesday of the month and there is no regularly scheduled meeting in December). The District is requesting a fee waiver to use the City of Hercules Council Chambers for monthly board meetings West Contra Costa Integrated Waste Management Authority (WCCIWMA) The West Contra Costa Integrated Waste Management Authority (WCCIWMA), also known as RecycleMore, is a joint powers agency created by the Member Agencies which includes the cities of El Cerrito, Hercules, Pinole, Richmond, San Pablo and unincorporated Contra Costa County (i.e. El Sobrante, North Richmond, Tara Hills, Rollingwood, East Richmond Heights, Bayview, Montalvin Manor).
Within the jurisdiction, the Authority provides waste processing management services of the franchised waste stream which includes the landfill, recyclables, composting, and Household Hazardous Waste (HHW). WCCIWMA is also charged with implementing and making sure the region is in compliance with California State Laws such as AB 939, AB 1826, and SB 1383, which mandate reducing the amount of waste materials going to landfill.
Regular Board Meetings are scheduled for the 2nd Thursday of the month, at 6:15 p.m. There are no regular meetings held during the month of August. At the direction of Vice Mayor, Dan Romero, WCCIWMA is requesting a fee waiver, in whole or in part, to use the City of Hercules Council Chambers for their monthly board meetings.
ANALYSIS
Charging fees to cover the cost of facility maintenance and staff time (if needed) is a standard practice in the public sector when individuals, private groups, government, or non-profit groups wish to reserve and exclusively utilize public facilities. Rental of the Council Chambers requires a deposit of $81 and $41 per hour. Deposits are refundable unless there is damage done to the facility, and/or the event is canceled by the applicant. The City also offers a Nonprofit Recognition Program to recognize and provide support to community-based nonprofit organizations that provide valuable community service to the residents of Hercules. For this reason, recognized non-profits are provided with low or no-cost opportunities to utilize City. RHFD and WCCIWMA do not qualify as non-profit agencies.
The City of Hercules recognizes the value of intergovernmental cooperation and supporting organizations to provide services and programs that benefit the Hercules community. For this reason, staff believes rental fees for the Council Chambers should be waived for board meetings or temporary uses when the applicant is another government agency or joint powers agency, and the use is related to the performance of its normal functions and is a benefit to Hercules residents.
FISCAL IMPACT OF RECOMMENDATION:
If RHFD and WCCIWMA were granted waivers to use the Council Chambers for their monthly board meetings at two hours per meeting, the fiscal impact would be $1,968 less in rental revenue annually.