Parks reports revenue gains, boat‑launch enforcement; council asks staff to model resident/nonresident fees

Sarah, representing Parks & Recreation, presented the department’s 2025 year‑end report and highlighted acquisitions, capital work and revenue changes.

Highlights included property acquisitions to expand Eagle Ridge Park and acquisition of Caballero Park; capital work that created a new swim area and dock improvements; installation of automated locks on restroom doors to reduce vandalism; and three new communication boards at playgrounds. Parks staff reported increases in day‑use and annual pass sales (day use figure was clarified in the report to be nearly $61,000) and said that in mid‑2025 the city began enforcing parking and fees at boat launches in coordination with police.

For 2025 the parks department offered a new residential discount for annual boat passes (staff noted a $15 discount so a $60 resident pass vs. a $75 nonresident price shown earlier in the packet), and staff said vandalism reports were down. Parks reported a department cost‑recovery rate of 5.99% and improved rental revenue from the Mill (public rental portion improved toward a $13,500 positive outcome compared with a prior negative operating position).

Council discussed user‑fee approaches for boat launches and paid parking as a tool to align cost with use. Several members asked staff to model scenarios: examples discussed included a $25 resident season pass vs. a higher nonresident fee (one councilmember suggested $100) and staff said they would model impacts to revenue and user experience and return with recommendations.

Parks staff said they will bring an updated fee resolution to council later this month and will publish the year‑end report on the city website and social media with printed copies available at the parks office.