Council weighs eliminating $100 daily park rental fee for nonprofits; staff to draft waiver policy

The city manager told the council May 11 that the administration recommends removing a $100-per-day fee currently charged to nonprofit organizations using city park facilities while retaining the insurance requirement. "We're not going to eliminate the requirement of insurance, but we are asking city council to amend the fee schedule as presented eliminating the $100 per day," the city manager said.

Administration officials said the change is meant to encourage nonprofit youth programming and reduce barriers for groups that provide supervised activities for children. Council members pressed for clarity about why the fee was added in the past — citing earlier concerns about groups using parks without permission and leaving trash or damage — and asked how often the city collects the fee and how much revenue it generates.

Staff said the fee historically produced little revenue because usage frequency is low, and recommended a waiver or appeal process. Council members proposed alternatives including replacing the fee with a refundable deposit, opening waiver requests to non‑profit and for‑profit event organizers on a case-by-case basis, or allowing the fee to be waived for events that demonstrably bring visitors and economic activity to Albion.

The administration agreed to draft policy language, including a waiver/appeal mechanism and clear criteria for nonprofit eligibility, and return the language to council at a subsequent meeting. No change to the fee schedule was enacted on the night of the meeting; the item remains pending until council reviews proposed policy language.