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Residents tell council recreation fee changes could harm seniors and low-income users
Summary
Public commenters urged the city to reconsider removing punch passes and discontinuing the senior social pass, warning a 25% nonresident surcharge and fewer flexible options could exclude low-use patrons, students and people experiencing homelessness.
Several residents used the public-comment period to urge the City Council to reconsider planned recreation-center fee changes taking effect Jan. 1. Commenters said eliminating 'punch passes' and a senior social pass and adding a 25% nonresident surcharge could reduce access for low-income users, part-time users and residents without stable addresses.
Heather (no last name provided) said she relied on fractional punch passes during recovery from multiple surgeries and training; she told council that a monthly pass is not suitable for people who do not visit facilities often. She warned that the proposed nonresident surcharge would affect people who rent inside the city and that area private gyms sometimes offer lower monthly prices than the new structure.
Dean Clinton (Community Services director) responded that the city has more than 20 different pass types today, and the change is intended to simplify and standardize fees while preserving value. He said staff will prepare a detailed memo to respond to the public’s questions and that some new changes include free drop-in options for young adults at certain centers.
Council asked staff to circulate detailed memos to commenters and to consider targeted outreach to groups likely to be affected by the changes.
