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Committee forwards park-code changes to increase golf-course fees, limit weekend senior discounts
Summary
The Budget and Appropriation Committee voted 5-0 to forward an ordinance that would allow the Recreation and Park Department to add a cost-recovery surcharge and implement dynamic pricing and other fee changes at city golf courses; one public commenter opposed the changes.
The Budget and Appropriation Committee voted unanimously on July 9 to forward to the Board of Supervisors an ordinance amending the park code to authorize the Recreation and Park Department to add a cost-recovery surcharge to fees for city golf courses, outdoor event facilities, picnic areas and athletic fields.
The ordinance, as read into the record by the committee clerk, would increase certain San Francisco resident golf rates at specified courses, raise the cost of golf cards that entitle Pacifica residents to resident discounts at Sharp Park, adjust weekend hours, and limit resident senior discounts to weekdays. It also authorizes dynamic pricing, a reservation fee and an administrative cost specifically for golf courses, and would require the Recreation and Park Department to post and update golf course fees on its website instead of listing those fees in the park code. The ordinance affirms the Planning Department’s determination under the California Environmental Quality Act.
Chair Supervisor Connie Chan moved to forward the item with a positive recommendation; Vice Chair Supervisor Matt Dorsey seconded. The committee recorded five ayes. The clerk stated items acted upon at this meeting are expected to appear on the Board of Supervisors agenda on July 15.
Public comment: Lily Achatz, identified herself as president of Harding Park Women’s Golf Club and a co-founder of the San Francisco Women’s Golf Alliance, opposed the proposed fees. "We oppose the proposed and unfair fees, which will make golf unaffordable to our members," Achatz said. She said the changes would “greatly affect minorities, women, veterans, low income families, individuals, juniors, and seniors with fixed incomes,” and urged supervisors to reconsider weekend senior pricing that would be removed.
Committee members said increasing fees is difficult and noted the item had been continued from the prior week because of substantive amendments and notice requirements. The committee did not adopt the ordinance at the meeting; it forwarded a positive recommendation to the Board for consideration.
