Parks board backs $30 pavilion fee, seeks ordinance changes to curb commercial use and digging
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Summary
The Parks and Recreation board reviewed pavilion reservation rules and proposed amendments to Chapter 74 — including a ban on metal detectors and unauthorized digging and limits on compensated commercial classes — and voted to recommend a pavilion fee schedule (proposed $30 per day plus deposit) to city council.
The Parks and Recreation board on Thursday reviewed a packet of proposed pavilion fees and a set of ordinance changes aimed at clarifying park use and protecting turf and fields. After debate on permit language and restrictions for commercial instructors, the board voted to recommend the fee schedule to city council.
Administration and park staff presented a proposed fee schedule that would set pavilion rentals at $30 for a 12‑hour period, with a refundable deposit to cover power, cleanup and staff time. “Those are the proposed fees that we have, but, you know, we can definitely change them,” Speaker 2 said while describing the packet materials. Speaker 3 said the Coconut Park Pavilion has historically drawn reservations mainly in summer and that the city will monitor demand before proposing fee adjustments next year.
Staff described reservation logistics and safeguards for deposit refunds. Speaker 3 said staff will use a checklist when inspecting pavilions after events and forward documentation to finance to process deposit refunds. “This form is to be completed by the parks department,” Speaker 3 said, describing the refund process. The board asked staff to review the waiver and liability language in the reservation application (page 13, paragraph 10) to make responsibilities and claims clearer.
Board members also discussed several proposed amendments to Chapter 74 of the municipal code (listed in the packet as ordinance 2025‑01‑02). Staff outlined additions that would: prohibit the use of metal detectors in parks; bar unauthorized excavation or digging without prior permission; set electrical use rules for fields subject to the park supervisor and city manager; and add a section addressing commercial classes and instruction on fields.
On commercial instruction, staff proposed language that would require a permit and a liability waiver for any person conducting compensated classes on city fields. Several board members argued for tighter language to prevent private individuals or small commercial operations from reserving fields long term and restricting access for local teams. “They were reserving a field for the whole year,” Speaker 6 said, describing complaints about private lessons monopolizing field time. The board discussed allowing exceptions by city manager approval for large, organized camps or recognized programs and agreed that any permit or fee scheme should be set by city council resolution where appropriate.
Staff and board members agreed administratively to limit advance field reservations to no more than four months to reduce long‑term monopolization; that policy will be implemented administratively and revisited next month. Staff also said they will explicitly prohibit water‑filled inflatables (water jumping balloons) in reservation rules because they damage turf; dry inflatable attractions would remain permitted.
On the meeting’s final action, Speaker 1 moved and Speaker 2 seconded a recommendation to forward the parks and recreation fee schedule to city council. The board approved the recommendation by voice vote; a roll‑call tally was not provided in the meeting record. The packet shows the proposed $30 per‑day rate, a deposit requirement, and guidance that council would set any related permit fees by resolution.
The board closed with brief member comments and adjourned. Next procedural steps: staff will incorporate the board’s edits into the ordinance draft and the reservation forms, update the waiver/liability language, and prepare the fee recommendation for formal consideration by city council.
