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Commission approves fee waiver for Soma Aquatics through 2025 while city designs internal scholarship model
Summary
The commission approved staff’s recommendation to waive fees for Soma Aquatics’ Sessions 1 and 2 (total $5,936) so free swim lessons can continue through 2025; staff will develop an internally administered scholarship plan for 2026 and return with details by October.
The Parks & Recreation Commission approved a partial fee waiver to allow Soma Aquatics to continue running free swim lessons in Mill Valley for the remainder of 2025 while staff builds an internal scholarship program for 2026.
Facility Supervisor Christie presented the request: Soma had applied for 100% waivers for five sessions totaling $15,340. "Staff recommends approving Soma Aquatics fee waiver request for sessions 1 and 2," Christie said, specifying that recommendation covers waiver of facility rental, staffing costs and deposits totaling $5,936.
Jeremy Engman, founder of Soma Aquatics, urged the commission to maintain the partnership, described large weekly attendance and warned that bringing the program entirely in‑house could be costlier and reduce volunteer opportunities. "We serve 80 to a 100 kids every single Sunday," Engman said, describing the program’s volunteer and internship components.
Commissioners praised the program’s community impact and moved to approve the staff recommendation; the chair also directed staff to return with a proposal for how an in‑house scholarship model would work for 2026 by the October meeting.
No changes to the existing $2,500 deposit were announced; staff said the MOU would be nullified for sessions covered by the fee waiver. The waiver was approved by voice vote.
