Commissioners favor three-hour pavilion slots; discuss $50–$65 price and library fee-waiver model
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Summary
Oroville commissioners discussed clarifying Hewitt Park pavilion rental fees, recommended three-hour increments to increase access, debated starting points of $50 versus $65 per three-hour block, and asked staff to explore income-based waivers and a library-checkout option for one slot per day.
City staff told the commission the current fee schedule lists Hewitt Park at $43 but does not specify duration or included amenities. Tim Caber recommended aligning Hewitt Park with comparable local facilities, noting that a model similar to Martin Luther King Jr. Park would be $65 for a half day and $100 for a full day and that the fee should include electricity and barbecue access.
Commissioners proposed breaking rental time into smaller blocks to increase equitable access. "I like the 3 hour slot," one commissioner said; others argued a three-hour block allows time for setup and cleanup while enabling more daily reservations. After discussion some commissioners said they preferred a starting rate of $50 for a three-hour block, while others supported $65; the commission agreed to proceed with three-hour increments and asked staff to return with final recommended fees and operational guidance.
Why it matters: Shorter booking blocks and a fee-waiver program could increase access for families and low-income residents while still allowing the city to recover a portion of operating costs and ensure keys and barbecue facilities are managed securely.
Supporting details: Commissioners discussed deposit and key procedures (refundable after inspection), operational staffing limits for weekend reservations, and the option of a one-slot fee waiver checked out via the county library system (similar to other library-lend programs) with a one-session-per-day maximum for low-income users. Staff said current fee waivers are limited to school activities, and that implementing a broader waiver would require administrative adjustments.
Next steps: Staff will prepare a fee proposal formalizing three-hour increments, present recommended dollar amounts for three-hour and full-day reservations (including whether to apply a discount for multiple consecutive blocks), and outline procedures for deposits, weekend staffing and a library-based waiver or alternative low-income access path.