City Council Meeting
June 10, 2025
Responses to City Council Agenda Questions
7:00pm Regular Meeting
Item 7c Master Fee Schedule-Recreation.
• Can staff please be ready to speak to the feasibility of lowering the adult resident rate by $5/mo. (to $50/42) and the new youth rates by $3/month (to $36/30), and make up the difference in projected revenue by increasing the non-resident monthly rates by the appropriate amounts?
• RESPONSE: Staff evaluated the impact of reducing resident adult fees by $5/month and youth fees by $3/month as suggested. While these reductions appear modest, they would significantly affect overall revenue given that residents make up approximately 75% of users.
Compensating for this shortfall through non-resident rate increases is less feasible, as non- residents account for only 25% of members. Their rates are already set to nearly double; further increases could render pricing uncompetitive, potentially reducing enrollment and jeopardizing long-term financial sustainability which was the core goal of the benchmarking and fee study.
Beyond the financial impact, piecemeal adjustments set a problematic precedent. Past experiences with City Net and the Parking Program show that incremental changes-though well-intentioned-can undermine financial integrity, strain staff resources, and erode public trust.
Staff is recommending approving the fees as presented. An alternative could be to increase the incentives via the grant from 20% to 25% or a higher amount in lieu of nickel and diming the proposed rates. While feasible, it must be carefully considered to stay within funding limits of the grant. The chart below presents a comparison of the SBSF Grant Incentive applied at 20% (currently recommended), 25%, and 30% rates, and their respective impacts on monthly membership pricing.
Monthly Fee
Proposed
Rate 20% 25% 30%
Youth (3-13) Resident $39 $31 $29 $27
Additional Youth (3-13) Resident $33 $26 $25 $23
Adult/Teen (14-49) Resident $55 $44 $41 $39
Additional Adult/Teen (14-49) Resident $47 $38 $35 $33 Senior (50+) Resident $44 $35 $33 $31
Additional Senior (50+) Resident $37 $30 $28 $26
The recommended fee schedule is the result of thorough analysis and balances affordability, equity, and sustainability. It also incorporates incentives from the San Bruno Community Foundation to ease the transition for residents without compromising cost-recovery goals.
Responses to City Council Agenda Packet Questions
June 10, 2025
2 • It would be helpful to see a trend in the revenues for the RAC. Can a monthly graph be generated that shows the monthly and accumulative revenues in: membership, classes, facility rentals?
RESPONSE: Operational trends across key categories remain unstable and difficult to evaluate with accuracy. It is anticipated that a clearer picture of these trends will not emerge until the end of the next fiscal year, once the facility has had sufficient time to stabilize and mature in its operations. Staff are taking measures to evaluate trends in all categories. One area we do have trend data on is Memberships and Punch Passes. See below.
2024
JUL24 AUG24 SEP24 OCT24 NOV24 DEC24
Annual Memberships $59,520 $73,296 $40,908 $31,152 $18,496 $16,274 JUL24 AUG24 SEP24 OCT24 NOV24 DEC24
Monthly Memberships $6,512 $13,714 $18,351 $20,808 $21,714 $22,906 JUL24 AUG24 SEP24 OCT24 NOV24 DEC24
Punch Passes $12,636 $35,152 $28,704 $24,934 $14,144 $13,026
JUL24 AUG24 SEP24 OCT24 NOV24 DEC24
Daily Passes $4,122 $23,249 $24,766 $24,362 $16,642 $16,882
2025
JAN25 FEB25 MAR25 APR25 MAY25
Annual Memberships $23,078 $10,490 $12,552 $13,225 $18,757 JAN25 FEB25 MAR25 APR25 MAY25
Monthly Memberships $25,998 $24,340 $30,596 $28,639 $29,519 JAN25 FEB25 MAR25 APR25 MAY25
Punch Passes $13,026 $12,168 $13,260 $10,842 $14,846
JAN25 FEB25 MAR25 APR25 MAY25
Daily passes $16,928 $17,014 $19,860 $17,926 $22,340
• What is the cost recovery goal for the various programs at the RAC? RESPONSE: Referencing the Cost Recovery Policy: All Special Revenue Funds are expected to achieve full cost recovery, unless managing the fund requires a level of City staff time that cannot be fully recovered by fees in any one period and necessitates a subsidy from the General Fund. It is important to note that, due to the operational demands of a recreation facility that includes two competitive pools and a wading pool, achieving full cost recovery is not feasible. The Implementation Plan presented to Council includes a targeted General Fund subsidy of $1.7 million for the facility in FY 2025–26.
• What percentage of membership and daily admission are resident/non-resident? Responses to City Council Agenda Packet Questions
June 10, 2025
3 RESPONSE: The facility currently shows about 75% resident usage for memberships and 57% resident usage for daily admission and punch passes.
• Is the proposed rate difference for residents/non-residents typical? RESPONSE: It is typical that the rate for non-residents is higher. The variance in fees varies dependent on the City’s philosophy. Residents partially fund services through their property taxes. Charging non-residents more helps maintain fairness in resource allocation and funding.
Typical Differences based on best practices:
• Program Fees: Non-residents might pay 20–100% more for sports leagues, classes, or pool memberships.
• Facility Rentals: Parks or community center rentals often have separate fee structures for residents vs. non-residents.
• Admission Fees: Pools, fitness centers, and events may have different entry fees based on residency.
• Is the comparison municipal facility data available?
RESPONSE: The San Bruno Recreation and Aquatic Center is a one-of-a-kind facility on the peninsula. Due to its extensive design, comprehensive offerings, and modern infrastructure, there are no other facilities in the area that provide an apples-to-apples comparison when benchmarking fees. Our consultant benchmarked fees for comparable facilities in Newark CA and Morgan Hill - Information for the Silliman (Newark) and Morgan Hill facilities is shown below:
Silliman Activity Center Summary of Facility
The Silliman Activity Center located in Newark, CA, 30 miles Southeast of San Bruno in the Southern Eastbay features a full-size gymnasium with basketball courts, a fitness center, and various exercise studios catering to different workout preferences. The center includes a teen lounge, games room, and dedicated study and computer areas. The facility also has a licensed child care, a preschool, and a multipurpose activity room. The center also houses a community meeting room and an impressive aquatic complex, including a 25-yard recreational lap pool with four lanes, a leisure pool with a basketball hoop, two large water slides (tube and open) with a splash-down pool, and a zero-entry tot pool featuring “Ollie’s Splash Pad,” an interactive spray and play structure. Additional aquatic attractions a hydrotherapyotherapy spa and a lazy river with floating inner tubes.
The Silliman membership includes:
• Access to the Aquatic Center
• Use of the fitness center and full gymnasium
• Entry to all indoor aquatic amenities
• Drop-in privileges for certain programs or classes
Responses to City Council Agenda Packet Questions
June 10, 2025
4 Silliman Activity Center Fees One Month Annual
Total Per Month Total Per Month
Youth (3-17) Resident N/A N/A $176.00 $14.67
Youth (3-17) Non-Resident N/A N/A $203.00 $16.92
Adult Resident $76.00 $76.00 $454.00 $37.83
Adult Non Resident $87.00 $87.00 $522.00 $43.50
Senior (55-69 Resident) $58.00 $58.00 $315.00 $26.25
Senior (55-69 Non-Resident) $63.00 $63.00 $410.00 $34.17 Senior Plus Resident $47.00 $47.00 $236.00 $19.67
Senior Plus Non-Resident $53.00 $53.00 $315.00 $26.25
Family Resident (4 PPL) N/A N/A $731.00 $60.92
Family Non-Resident (4 PPL) N/A N/A $840.00 $70.00
Total Per Visit
Daily Drop-In (Age 3+) $13.00 $13.00
20-Visit Pass - Adult Resident $151.00 $7.55
20 Visit Pass - Adult Non-
Resident $176.00 $8.80
20 Visit Pass - Senior (55+) $137.00 $6.85
20 Visit Pass - Senior (55+)
Non-Resident $159.00 $7.95
15 Visit Adult Punch Pass
Resident $104.00 $6.93
15 Visit Adult Punch Pass Non-
Resident $130.00 $8.67
15 Visit Senior Punch Pass
Resident $78.00 $5.20
15 Visit Senior Punch Pass Non-
Resident $104.00 $6.93
15 Visit Aquatic Punch Pass
Resident $52.00 $3.47
15 Visit Aquatic Punch Pass
Non-Resident $78.00 $5.20
Morgan Hill Summary of Facility
The Morgan Hill Centennial Recreation Center located approximately 62 miles Southeast of San Bruno features a fully equipped fitness center with state-of-the-art cardio machines, strength training equipment, and free weights, complemented by indoor group exercise studios for a variety of fitness classes. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy a full-size court and two half courts Responses to City Council Agenda Packet Questions
June 10, 2025
5 that accommodate basketball, volleyball, badminton, and pickleball. The indoor aquatic area includes a lap pool for swimming, lessons, and team practices, as well as a shallow learning/play pool and splash areas tailored for children. The center also provides a dedicated Teen Center complete with a lounge and computer lab, and a Kids’ Club offering supervised childcare for children from infancy through age nine while parents work out. Additionally, the facility includes versatile conference and multi-purpose rooms, along with indoor and outdoor community meeting spaces ideal for gatherings and events
Morgan Hill Membership includes:
• Full access to the Centennial Recreation Center fitness facilities • Full access to the Morgan Hill Aquatics Center
• Group exercise classes
• Free supervised child watch
• Open gym access
• Use of the Skate and BMX Park
Morgan Hill Centennial Recreation Center Fees Monthly
Rate
One-Time Membership Enrollment Fee Family/Couple $100.00 One-Time Membership Enrollment Fee Individual $75.00
Adult Membership Resident $86.00
Adult Membership Non-Resident $90.00
Family Membership Resident $118.00
Family Membership Non-Resident $125.00
Additional Adult Added to Family Membership Resident $66.00 Additional Adult Added to Family Membership Non-Res $70.00 Youth/Teen Resident $41.00
Youth/Teen Non-Resident $45.00
Special Hours (Adult Weekdays 10-4 + Weekends) Res. $60.00 Special Hours Non-Resident $64.00
Couple Special Hours Resident $95.00
Couple Special Hours Non-Resident $101.00
8 Visit Guest Punch Pass (Members Only) $88.00
• How much has been spent on marketing for the RAC?
RESPONSE: The RAC does not currently have a dedicated marketing budget. To date, marketing efforts have primarily included social media outreach and flyer distribution at community events and at the RAC itself.
The City also contracted with a third-party consultant to support the development of marketing materials, website design, and promotional strategies. Costs associated with that consultant Responses to City Council Agenda Packet Questions
June 10, 2025
6 are part of a broader scope of work and not itemized solely for marketing. Any marketing with the third-party consultant is being covered by the SBCF Grant.
Future marketing expenditures are still being planned and finalized as part of the City’s ongoing promotional strategy for the RAC and will be subsidized by the SBCF Grant.
Additionally, the Department will be rolling out the new San Bruno Recreation and Aquatic Center Website sometime with a tentative launch date in July. There will be a major marketing campaign following the adoption of the new fees.
• Is there a family membership option?
RESPONSE: In staff’s analysis of the fee study, it was believed to be more fitting to offer an à la carte membership option with a reduced rate for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th members, etc., rather than a traditional family membership. This decision reflects the current environment where the definition of "family" is increasingly subjective. Additionally, by introducing membership options for youth and seniors at a lower rate, we are providing a more affordable and flexible approach compared to our previous youth punch card offerings as the only option.
• What financial hardship options are available?
RESPONSE: The Department offers a Youth Enhancement Scholarship Program to help families facing financial hardship. Eligible San Bruno residents with children under 18 can receive 25% to 100% off registration fees for qualifying recreation programs. These scholarships cover program registration fees only (not supplies or extras) and there is a maximum of $200 per family per season.
Staff is developing a fee assistance program for RAC programs to provide additional financial assistance for programs based at the RAC. This fee assistance program will be funded by the SBCF RAC Access grant.
• How often are the picnic areas rented? Has there been any review in increasing the number of outdoor picnic areas?
RESPONSE: Picnic rentals tend to be maximized during peak times of the year, reflecting high demand in those periods. However, an assessment has not yet been conducted to evaluate how to implement additional outdoor picnic space effectively.
The majority of rental requests are for City Park, which is a heavily programmed, multi-use facility. Introducing additional picnic amenities in this park could potentially impact other existing uses, so any changes would need to be carefully considered to maintain a balanced and functional environment.
• How are reservations made for use of the gym and ballfields? What can be done to assure more sport organizations have the ability to reserve the facilities? RESPONSE: Reservations must be submitted through City staff and are approved in accordance with established facility policies. For outdoor spaces, most ball fields are already heavily utilized by youth sports leagues, limiting additional availability. Indoor gymnasium usage is managed to maintain a balance between member access, league play, rentals, and Responses to City Council Agenda Packet Questions
June 10, 2025
7 City-run programs. As the Recreation and Aquatic Center (RAC) is a new facility, staff are actively evaluating and refining scheduling practices to support a sustainable business model while meeting the needs of the community.