[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6082474,"mediaKeyId","2938095-c248bc4f91ada44bb7be9fd85b215572","parentId",2938095,"title","Parks planning tied to development‑impact fee study as commission ranks short‑term projects","audioSeconds",449,"startMs",3376000,"endMs",3825000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2938095-c248bc4f91ada44bb7be9fd85b215572&start=3376&end=3825","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2938095-c248bc4f91ada44bb7be9fd85b215572/thumbnail_3376000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6082474/Sandpoint/Bonner-County/Idaho/Parks-planning-tied-to-developmentimpact-fee-study-as-commission-ranks-shortterm-projects","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6082474-6d21246e46236e274fb005bb31d07dc7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154124&Signature=oJ4MlXC~Oa6pOLua7ujv9fXXAK8V1yg0fW4CMvntF1wLuC0Z054c8d88C5aBLqpK0zM8BWbwYYGoXobIKz-m2URhCueyUNU~couT9oLc0n-C9ziTp6j7cqYV2YX-XGoz85TvA6ekjG3b0lAei5FSCpAohfQtZpcHcgkmTJ-DOaFrMWGXYSa4w3O7UWYXL8HbxjqN5-ncuQTKlrVPVZha6VPqOyOdVLxCur62Ztgnz-a~oPe3m6dlRroJQzyFoLLTYy1-oWWNFM0dUBLY6vLoN-ZmkOt~l38PdbgeF3kiJChUfUnAt72HmFOKpJO0W-3h9ajea3scplfRXIsp~TBBkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-10T00:24:02.827Z","article","The Sandpoint Parks & Recreation Commission reviewed staff’s preliminary ranking of parks capital projects and a short stakeholder survey on March 9, and staff said the results will be used to finalize a capital improvement plan (CIP) that feeds an ongoing development impact fee study.

Staff said the park master plan adopted in 2020 provided the baseline for project selection and that the city has instructed staff to prioritize maintenance and critical infrastructure as well as pursue revenue‑generating projects where feasible. The city’s consultant updating development impact fees will use the CIP to set justifications and approximate costs for park projects that can be charged to future growth under Idaho law; staff told the commission the consultant expects total park‑related capital needs of roughly $7.5 million over the next 10 years under current level‑of‑service assumptions.

At the meeting staff described three short‑term (0–2 year) priorities that rose to the top of the survey results: a Traverse picnic shelter (Rotary has contributed seed funds), a skate‑park shade structure (fundraising by the Bonner County Skate Park Association), and a dog‑park feasibility study (local donors have begun designated contributions). Staff said many proposed projects will require site planning, engineering and public outreach before construction and that some planning work will be done in‑house while larger projects will require consultants and grant or donor funding.

Staff outlined that the development impact fee update covers multiple service areas (streets, pathways, parks, police, fire) and that parks staff are providing project lists and rough cost estimates to the consultant; those estimates will be refined and attached to fee calculations. Commissioners discussed the value of amending the 2020 master plan to reflect current financial realities and priorities; staff said an appendix or formal amendment to the master plan would be a reasonable approach and that the final CIP will be delivered to the consultant in the coming weeks.

Staff also reported specific maintenance and small projects planned in‑house: City Beach swing replacement with a new ADA access trail (using refurbished swings from Traverse), volleyball court additions funded by a local volleyball group, asphalt trail repairs at multiple parks and a downtown adopt‑a‑planter program. Staff asked for additional commissioner feedback and said grant decisions pending for parking‑lot paving and other projects could shift priorities if they are awarded.

No formal vote occurred to change the master plan at the meeting; staff asked commissioners to email any further comments and indicated they will assign estimated costs to each CIP item and circulate the final list to the commission.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Sandpoint | Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting | 04/09/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Sandpoint Parks & Recreation Commission reviewed staff’s preliminary ranking of parks capital projects on March 9 and learned the list will feed an ongoing development impact fee study intended to help pay for future park improvements.","taxTitle","Sandpoint, Bonner County, Idaho","taxId",52019,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6082479,"Commission weighs lifeguard funding and possible user‑fees for City Beach",75,2765000,2840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2938095-c248bc4f91ada44bb7be9fd85b215572&start=2765&end=2840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2938095-c248bc4f91ada44bb7be9fd85b215572/thumbnail_2765000.jpg","/articles/6082479/Sandpoint/Bonner-County/Idaho/Commission-weighs-lifeguard-funding-and-possible-userfees-for-City-Beach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6082479-282dd7637cbdaf7a8166037e0966b0f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154124&Signature=aUhVRqmAWuDxOgxznHSM3-A2SRSHE~mUMQlbloBhl-h-8yzzw6hvAM50mMkrIvRYViL73Qk0WScysqnU-GNehiVV0FXY7yI8bZmunxtlZy023iJ-4D~yxEI9rVuBqbzpJHwl0sYL5tb9p2~SeUljfOvupahY3XnzJaTNjHvvwv9sZE57QV2Vmf52NM35LIdbAehe0BzBavT~KdE1evNR-SCtB8LVB2BaKt14x7xzfaTx94~XiOg7ygj9~NJohb3xQyjTJV1WymGfxsda--H-mAW9lOrhCh8e5tezv-2OQv1Q1ogxDXBtUeybVKDHKSi-nkQZmT5Q9EhnRCcDD0MVAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sandpoint Parks & Recreation staff told the commission on March 9 that the city currently lacks a dedicated, funded lifeguard program and that fully staffing lifeguards seven days a week would cost far more than prior budgets.

Staff said the last fully funded lifeguard budget before the COVID‑19 pandemic was about $29,000. After the pandemic the budget was increased but current estimates to fully staff lifeguards seven days a week at market wages are approximately $80,000 for a season; staff said there is currently no dedicated funding source for that program.

The commission discussed options for creating a dedicated revenue stream to support lifeguards. One proposal described at the meeting was to use City Beach parking revenue to fund lifeguards, so that users rather than the general fund taxpayers would directly support the seasonal service. Staff said training and certification timelines mean the city would need to begin lifeguard recruitment and training immediately if a program were to be ready by late May or Memorial Day weekend.

Commissioners and local partners discussed partnerships and shared staffing arrangements with the YMCA. The YMCA reported it has 20–25 lifeguards on staff and that prior joint efforts have included sharing lifeguards between city and YMCA operations, subject to scheduling rules (for example, staff historically were not permitted to work both facilities on the same day). The commission noted several operational and liability issues: the city has no dedicated aquatics supervisor and current staff workloads make managing a seasonal lifeguard program difficult without dedicated staffing.

Staff recommended the commission consider user fees or other dedicated funding sources before committing to a fully staffed lifeguard program. The meeting did not produce a final decision about summer lifeguard staffing; staff suggested putting the matter on a future agenda for discussion of funding options and program structure.","Commissioners and staff reviewed lifeguard staffing shortfalls, the rising cost of a full summer lifeguard program and a proposal to fund lifeguards through user fees such as beach parking revenue.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6082484,"Sandpoint officials outline James E. Russell Sports Center budget, usage and youth-access questions",314,213000,527000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2938095-c248bc4f91ada44bb7be9fd85b215572&start=213&end=527","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2938095-c248bc4f91ada44bb7be9fd85b215572/thumbnail_213000.jpg","/articles/6082484/Sandpoint/Bonner-County/Idaho/Sandpoint-officials-outline-James-E-Russell-Sports-Center-budget-usage-and-youth-access-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6082484-30abdd0ab2bf94ac8dcc01b0b0705c30/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154124&Signature=lT4J9duzEXu8EERtOmlcpqA-DN3mVN6pgP4DQwn4ksPa1mLXOzjqgQTxkYb2jQgG1f8UID41p9QKQvioFVgcTo4CaB4uGwZxc1wcL0i43eVWbmeEHzIOijAqOqjmPaHFL5TSjezNMRrM6nV4T2IsuyRuxy9ck03nxgZDLm5NUdIOBYJa2cvux6RchESD-jyX8gq4XNjf48lH8X0H1YR2kmlvjACea6KF3dkaXtcq-uU7lyo768wxCyhL44bmUcx0Y4etdRb3qeUqJ~jPjrzY4QiDJcZRlBFPbjJKZJylORQPzordtYde4LPBj~e9191ddfGNKx8yBucxGLnOQDLXiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Sandpoint Parks & Recreation Commission on March 9 that the James E. Russell Sports Center has attracted steady use since opening but is running below a full-year operating budget and remains in a start-up cost phase.

Staff said the facility has opened for organized programming, a doubles tennis league and rental use by youth groups and community clubs. The center is open about 75 hours a week, employs seven part‑time staff and several full‑time staff positions shared among city recreation employees.

The update said the facility’s fiscal year (Oct. 1–Sept. 30) budgeted expenditures for the sports center are about $224,000. As of the meeting staff reported roughly $125,000 in expenditures and about $17,500 in encumbrances; admissions and program revenue totaled just under $57,000. Staff cautioned those early numbers are inflated by pre‑opening costs and construction‑era charges and said they will produce a report from Jan. 1 forward for a clearer operating picture.

Staff described one‑time start‑up costs that have affected early operating results. Examples cited at the meeting included a software migration (RecTrac) that cost about $7,400, equipment purchases for admissions and point‑of‑sale, and initial utility and infrastructure expenses. City staff also noted electricity and heating have been significant line items since October; the meeting brief listed roughly $15,850 in electricity charges since Oct. 1, but staff said some of that reflects construction and start‑up use rather than ongoing steady costs.

Commissioners and staff discussed how the city will treat youth access and donor intent. The sports center’s web materials describe a “Youth First” membership that is free, and the donor who funded the building, Jim Russell, publicly stated he wanted the facility to be available to children. Commissioners asked whether that phrasing creates a binding legal requirement. Staff said the donor’s comments at the dedication were verbal and that no binding memorandum of agreement or legal condition was attached to the donation; the city’s current written fee schedule and website language indicate free youth membership but leave details — including whether daily use is free or only certain hours — open to interpretation.

Commissioners and staff discussed potential revenue and cost responses. Suggestions from the commission included expanding concession or retail sales (small consumables, drinks, basic sports supplies), creating short‑term visitor passes or tourist‑focused passes for high season, partnering with the YMCA and local hotels to market short stays, and more aggressive marketing to families and tournament organizers. Staff said card and concession sales were limited before the software change and that new point‑of‑sale capabilities are being rolled out (the facility has started selling items such as cans of tennis balls and ball-machine usage fees).

Staff also described longer‑term financial planning: the city budget includes a target of setting aside $25,000 annually to fund eventual replacement of the facility’s exterior fabric and other long‑lived capital elements. Staff warned that the indoor turf used by other fields will likely require replacement on a shorter cycle (staff estimated a multi‑million dollar replacement in roughly seven years), and that planning for those eventual costs will be part of the city’s multi‑year capital strategy.

Commissioners said they will continue to collect suggestions and that the mayor has requested a council workshop in May or June focused on the sports center’s business model. Staff also asked volunteers for possible subcommittee work to help with promotions and business‑minded outreach.

The commission did not take a formal policy vote on youth access or the sports center’s operating budget at the meeting; staff said they would return with more detailed, month‑to‑date financial reporting.","City staff updated the Parks & Recreation Commission on operations at the James E. Russell Sports Center, reporting early-year revenue and expenditure totals, staffing levels, program partnerships and an unresolved policy question about how donor intent for free youth access should be interpreted.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parks planning tied to development‑impact fee study as commission ranks short‑term projects

Commission weighs lifeguard funding and possible user‑fees for City Beach

Sandpoint officials outline James E. Russell Sports Center budget, usage and youth-access questions