Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks And Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council previewed parks fee updates: pool rentals up, street‑closure fee reinstated
Summary
Staff proposed raising private pool rental fees to $350, adjusting pavilion rental options (half days at Thomas Park only), introducing a $1,000 street‑closure fee with partner discounts, and adding a $200 depot rental and nonprofit rates for weeknights.
Parks staff presented follow-up fee recommendations to the Marion City Council intended to address staffing constraints, improve turnaround capacity for pavilion rentals and ensure fees reflect staff time for street closures.
Seth Stachel said staff recommended increasing private pool rental fees to $350 (an increase from the prior rate) to better cover staffing for after‑hours private rentals. For pavilion rentals, staff proposed a hybrid model: Thomas Park would retain half‑day options because of high demand and amenities, while many neighborhood parks would move to full‑day rentals to allow adequate staff turnaround.
For street closures, staff recommended reinstating a 7th Avenue street‑closure fee of $1,000 to capture staff time for barricade set-up and public‑works tasks. Stachel said partner events such as Chamber or Uptown festivals would remain free; certain festival partners would receive a 50% discount, resulting in a $500 fee for those events. Other proposed changes included a new depot rental at $200, a $25 replacement plaque fee and nonprofit weeknight rates.
Council asked clarifying questions; staff said the fees would be recommended to take effect March 1 if council was comfortable and that some partner events would remain excluded or discounted. No formal vote occurred during the work session; staff will return with formal ordinance or fee‑schedule items as required.
