Parks and Recreation Director Kurt Wolf reported that the city collected $16,159 after implementing new Payette Lake boat‑ramp fees on July 13 and presented council members with proposed next steps on concession permitting and ramp enforcement.

Wolf said the fee structure implemented last summer was intended to be simple and primarily educational because staff capacity for on‑site enforcement was limited. The fee schedule rolled out included a $15 day fee, a $100 annual pass for private boaters and a $1,000 annual commercial use fee. Wolf said some commercial invoices remained outstanding but that staff do not anticipate large upward changes to the reported total.

The current large concession at Legacy Beach is set to expire at the end of the month. Wolf reviewed the concession’s history (original concession from 2008, multiple renewals and a most recent extension through Dec. 31) and said the city’s commercial‑activity resolution sets the application calendar and review steps. He said staff received no large concession applications this cycle and that small concession applications would be accepted January 1–Feb. 28.

Council discussion focused on enforcement, equity among commercial operators, and how to build public input into the concession and permitting process. One council member asked whether the city could treat some commercial permits more like land‑use actions by publishing evaluation criteria up front and holding a public hearing before approval. A staff member advising council said a public process is possible and recommended that approval criteria be defined in advance so public comments can be focused and useful.

Wolf and council members discussed operational details raised by local businesses and residents, including self‑reporting burdens for commercial launches, congestion and a changing mix of watercraft. Wolf said staff will bring a more detailed work‑session item this winter assessing ramp enforcement, concession footprint, application criteria and options for equitable commercial permitting. He also flagged that the concession has historically acted as an on‑site ambassador, reporting maintenance and safety issues to staff.

Council members urged that any revised concession terms consider neighborhood impacts such as noise and near‑shore activity; one council member suggested including decibel or equipment‑type limits (for example, encouraging electric watercraft) as part of concession criteria. Wolf said staff will consult legal and bring options back for council review before the concession is reissued.