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Board approves new Lake Mitchell pontoon rental rules: hourly weekdays, four-hour weekend blocks and two-hour minimum
Summary
The Park & Rec Board updated pontoon rental rules at Lake Mitchell to allow hourly rentals on weekdays, require four-hour blocks on weekends and holidays, and adopt a two-hour minimum to better align staff workload and customer expectations.
The Mitchell Park and Recreation Board approved revisions to Lake Mitchell campground pontoon rental rules, allowing hourly rentals during weekdays, retaining four-hour minimum blocks on weekends and holidays, and adopting a two-hour minimum that staff said better fits operational realities.
Parks staff explained that last year weekend rentals were limited because campground hosts’ job descriptions did not include rental duties; this year hosts have those duties in their job summaries, making more flexible weekday rentals feasible. The board approved a motion to adopt hourly weekday rentals from 7 a.m. until 30 minutes before sunset, four-hour rental blocks on weekends and holidays, and a two-hour minimum for rentals generally to reflect loading and turnaround time.
Staff noted practical details: a late-return fee was listed at $100 per hour and deposits are refundable but may be reduced to cover late fees or damage. The board and staff also discussed the reservation model: the campground hosts do not have direct online reservation access, so the office prints daily rosters for the hosts; weekend reservations still require at least 48-hour advance notice and in-person coordination under the current system.
Why it matters: staff said the rental changes are intended to increase availability while recognizing staffing and safety constraints; the two-hour minimum seeks to reduce late returns and staff overtime. The motion carried on a board vote.
Staff will update public information and reservation procedures to reflect the new rules, and the office will continue to manage rosters and weekend reservation timing while exploring longer-term online solutions for reservations.
