1 TO: City Council
FROM: Andrew Vialpando, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Emma Kelley, Parks and Recreation Director MEETING DATE: June 3, 2025
SUBJECT: Amending the Master Fee Schedule to Comply with Los Angeles County Proposition A and Measure A Grant Program NonDiscrimination Policy Requirements
RECOMMENDATION
After conducting a public hearing, adopt Resolution No. 2025-19 amending the City’s Master Fee Schedule to comply with Los Angeles County Proposition A and Measure A grant program Non-Discrimination Policy requirements.
BACKGROUND
On April 11, 2025, the Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District (RPOSD) notified the City that the City’s Non-Resident fees on recreational programs and facility rentals do not comply with the County’s Non-Discrimination Policy (Attachment A).
As a recipient of Proposition A and Measure A grant funds, the City is required to ensure that all residents within Los Angeles County have equal access to funded facilities and programs, regardless of City. The County's letter included a list of City projects that have received Proposition A or Measure A funding and stated that continued non-compliance would result in Lomita becoming ineligible for future grant opportunities (Attachment B).
To preserve eligibility for future County grant funding, the City must amend its Master Fee Schedule to establish a flat fee for all recreation programs and facility rentals regardless of residency, within 120 days of the notification, or by August 9, 2025.
DISCUSSION
At its meeting on January 18, 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2022-04 establishing a comprehensive master fee schedule applicable to all City departments.
The City Council amended its Master Fee Schedule for effective April 6, 2024 by Resolution No. 2024-02.
CITY OF LOMITA
CITY COUNCIL REPORT
Item No. {{section.number}}b
2 Based on a comprehensive City fee study produced by the highly qualified municipal fees consultant Willdan, the City’s user fees are established using a formula that accounts for a combination of charges to recover various operational impacts. In addition, a number of new fees were enacted to recover costs associated with plan checks related to private development and water utility activities, electric charging station, and clerk related fees.
The City of Lomita has historically applied a "Non-Resident" fee structure to certain recreation programs and facility rentals from the Master Fee Schedule. These fees have been included in the City's Master Fee Schedule and applied to individuals residing outside of Lomita.
Upon receiving the County’s notice, staff evaluated the potential financial impact of removing the Non-Resident fee compared to the value of existing and potential future grant funding. The analysis showed that the revenue generated from Non-Resident fees for recreation activities averaged $10,000 per year and facilities rentals averaged $3,300 per year over the last three years. The City has a balance of $644,063 of Proposition A funds earmarked for the Stephenson Center Roof Replacement and Renovation Project.
This amount is fixed, and the program concludes once the funds are spent. Measure A has two accounts that continue to accrue. The current balance earmarked for playground equipment replacement is $487,714 and accrues at $77,000 per year while the Maintenance and Servicing balance is $117,603 and accrues at $18,000 per year.
Moreover, staff is recommending that the registration fees for youth sports programs be adjusted from $45 to $55. Youth sports registration fees have not been updated in many years and are severely undervalued when compared to other cities. This adjustment would mark only the third time in 17 years that the City had adjusted its youth sports fees.
A notice was posted on May 22, 2025 (Attachment C) on the proposed removal of the non-resident fees for recreational programs and facility rentals from the Master Fee Schedule (Exhibit A). Adoption of Resolution No. 2025-19 (Attachment D) will bring the City into full compliance with County’s Non-Discrimination Policy and allow continued participation in County park funding programs that directly benefit Lomita residents.
FISCAL IMPACT
The removal of Non-Resident fees will result in a loss of approximately $13,300 in revenue per year. Adjusting the youth sports registration fees from $45 to $55 will result in approximately $3,100 in additional revenue per year. The City will include this amendment in the FY 2025-26 Amended Budget.
OPTIONS
Approve the recommended action.
3 ATTACHMENTS
1. Letter from LACRPOSD
2. List of Proposition A and Measure A City Projects
3. Public Hearing Notice
4. Resolution No. 2025-19 with Exhibit A
Approved by:
_______________________
Andrew Vialpando
City Manager
Prepared by:
__________________________
Emma Kelley
Parks and Recreation Director