Hanford Youth Baseball asks council for fee relief; city agrees to pause fee assessments during negotiations

Representatives of Hanford Youth Baseball and other volunteers asked the City Council to exempt or give credit to the league for field‑use fees contained in the newly adopted master fee schedule.

Why it matters: Hanford Youth Baseball said it contributes volunteer labor, tens of thousands of dollars in equipment and maintenance, and community programming; the league said new field use fees would force higher program costs. Council and staff agreed to pursue a written agreement that credits league contributions and defines responsibilities before assessing new fees.

What the leagues told the council League representatives said their organization spends tens of thousands of dollars annually on field maintenance and equipment and that modest line‑item expenditures (for example, board polo shirts and a logo redesign) amount to a small share (league representatives cited 1.5% of their funds, approximately $2,000) of their budget. Amy Minor, a league volunteer, asked the council to create an exception for Hanford Youth Baseball or to credit league maintenance toward fees.

City response and council action Parks staff said they will work with league leadership. Brad (Parks & Recreation Director) and the city manager met with league representatives during the day; staff later confirmed on the record that the city would not assess the new fees while staff and the league pursue a written agreement. Two councilmembers volunteered to help as liaisons to speed negotiations.

What was requested and next steps League leaders requested a fee exemption or a credit system that recognizes volunteer maintenance and equipment purchases. Staff committed to: 1) negotiating a written agreement that defines use, maintenance credits and equipment responsibilities; 2) not charging the new fees while negotiations proceed; and 3) returning to council with a proposed agreement and, separately, a comparative report on tournament fees used by similar cities.

Clarifying details from the meeting League leaders said they documented roughly $40,000 in equipment and maintenance expenses and that contested board expenditure items were a small share of the league’s budget. Staff said concession/snack bar operations and equipment responsibilities are part of discussions; staff also committed to working on a longer‑term plan for capital replacements (nets, equipment) and possible CIP funding.

Outcome No final council vote on fee exemptions was taken. Council adoption of the master fee schedule proceeded as described in the budget item, and staff held the assessment of youth sports field fees in abeyance pending the written agreement process.