Commission recommends fees for upgraded Mariposa Plaza; council to consider master-fee amendment

The Parks, Recreation and Arts Commission on May 27 reviewed proposed amendments to the Parks Department master fee schedule to establish rental and staffing fees for the renovated Mariposa Plaza on Fulton Street and Mariposa and recommended that the City Council adopt those changes.

Jennifer Solis, division manager in the parks department, described the Mariposa Plaza improvements funded by a Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) grant: demolition of the existing stage, two new elevated stages, permeable decorative pavers, added lighting, raised planters, new trees, a shade structure, a drinking fountain and utility upgrades. Solis said construction is anticipated to be complete next month and that the department is setting a fee structure for reservations and events at the upgraded plaza.

The proposed fee structure establishes per-hour facility reservation rates that vary by weekday/evening and weekend peaks, with nonprofit discounts. For Monday–Thursday daytime (8 a.m.–6 p.m.), the proposal lists a nonprofit rate of $75 per hour and a private-group rate of $90 per hour; weekday evening and weekend peak rates rise (nonprofit roughly $85–$100; private-group roughly $105–$120, depending on day and time). The proposal also creates a reservation deposit equal to 50% of the total fee (50% refundable after post-event inspection) and a cleaning fee with a two-hour minimum tied to a four-hour reservation. Cancellation terms: full refund if canceled more than 30 days in advance; 50% refund if canceled within 30 days.

Solis said the Special Events Division proposes raising its event staffing fee from $31 to $35 and applying that staffing fee across city venues. The department also proposed indexing facility fees to the consumer price index on an annual basis, consistent with other facilities such as Camp Fresno.

There were no public comments on this item. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about how the Mariposa fees compare to other city facilities, insurance requirements and special-event security; staff said the new fees were aligned with existing facility fee structures and that special-event security or police details remain separate requirements enforced through the Special Events permit process.

The commission voted to recommend City Council adopt the proposed amendments to the master fee schedule for Mariposa Plaza and the event staffing fee change. If council approves the amendments, staff said the new fees would take effect on adoption.