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Council asks staff for more analysis on $99 resident card; decision on revocation continued
Summary
Council discussed eliminating the $99 'plus' resident card and reverting to a $7 basic card. Staff warned of a potential fiscal impact (about $100,000) and noted some residents could pay more if classes were charged a la carte; council directed staff to return with usage data and a refund strategy.
The Commerce City Council on Tuesday discussed whether to revoke the $99 annual “plus” resident card — which currently covers access to the fitness center and many fitness classes — and return to a $7 annual basic card with classes charged individually.
Veil Allen East (presented in the transcript as the parks and recreation director) told the council that if the $99 option were revoked, residents who use many classes could end up paying more in per-class fees; staff gave an example that, at current per-class rates, regular attendees could pay the equivalent of $144 per year if they bought classes a la carte. Staff also said the proposed change could have a fiscal impact on the city’s recreation revenue in the ballpark of $100,000 annually.
Councilmembers expressed support for restoring free or lower-cost access to the fitness center for Commerce residents, citing the city’s industrial footprint and air-quality burdens that make indoor options valuable. Members asked staff to return with precise program-usage data, an estimate of how many residents would be affected, and options for how to treat existing paid memberships (refunds, pro rata credits or new effective dates). Staff said they would pull participation statistics and examine refund scenarios, and noted the budget workshops before the city’s fiscal-year process would be an opportunity to finalize options.
Council did not vote on the item Tuesday and directed staff to return with more detailed data and implementation options, including details about payment plans and financial assistance that are already available for residents who cannot afford fees.
Council members also discussed a proposal, not before the council for immediate action, to contract a city-funded trainer to provide allocated free training slots and increased senior programming; staff said budget workshop discussions would be the appropriate venue to consider such enhancements.
