Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Forest Lake commission recommends council waive field fees for Special Olympics practices and charter high school games
Summary
Staff asked the commission to consider fee waivers for Special Olympics practices at Shilling Park and for a combined North Lakes Academy/LILA high school baseball program; the commission voted to recommend city council approve both waivers with caveats on cleanup, damage responsibility and field-prep fees.
The Forest Lake Parks and Recreation Commission voted to recommend the city council waive city field-usage fees for two local requests: Special Olympics practice sessions at Shilling Park and a charter high school baseball program that combines North Lakes Academy and LILA.
Kyle Young, parks and recreation coordinator, told commissioners that the Special Olympics group requested 6–8 reserved practice sessions and a June 21 event but asked the city to waive the usual rental fees. Staff said the practices would not require special field preparation and would be low impact on public works. Commissioners expressed support for inclusion but raised concerns about precedent and potential maintenance burdens.
Commissioner Tim McGarry (speaking as chair during the discussion) and others urged a policy to standardize fee waivers for nonprofits and youth organizations. After discussion, the commission approved a motion to "recommend city council approve" a waiver for the Special Olympics practices on the condition that the city does not incur cleanup costs after the group vacates the facility.
The commission then considered a similar request from a charter high school baseball program that would use Fenway fields for several games and practices. Staff recommended waiving city field-usage fees while the local youth association (FLAW) would handle and charge for any field-prep work (such as chalking and painting). Commissioners approved a recommendation to council that city fees be waived and that the teams pay for required field-prep costs and any necessary damage remediation.
Jolene Cheick, city clerk, reminded the commission that fee levels are set by ordinance and that the proper action is to forward recommendations to city council for approval. The commission’s approvals were recommendations; final fee waivers will be decided by the council.
Next steps: staff will forward the commission’s recommendations and language to the city council for formal action and consider drafting a written fee-waiver policy to guide future decisions.
