Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER A FEE WAIVER FOR THE USE OF THE VETERANS SPORTSCOMPLEX ACTIVITY ROOM FOR THE LUPUS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA CARSON MONTHLY MEETING (CITY COUNCIL)
Body
I. SUMMARY
At the request of the Lupus Foundation of America Carson, the City Council is being asked to consider a fee waiver for the organization’s use of the facility from February 2020 - June 2020.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. Grant a fee waiver for monthly meetings at the Veterans SportsComplex Activity Room from February 2020 through June 2020 subject to the Lupus Foundation of America Carson documenting that 75% or more of its programs participants are residents of the City of Carson.
1.
Body
III. ALTERNATIVES
1. Grant a fee waiver subject to periodic audits by City staff confirming that 75% or more of the participants are City of Carson residents.
2. TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate.
IV. BACKGROUND
The Lupus Foundation of America Carson support group was started in 2016. Based on the research from local support groups, Carson was an area not receiving support for Lupus issues so meetings were established at the Veterans Sportscomplex to facilitate support activities for persons and families impacted by Lupus in Carson. These meetings provide a place for patients to share their challenges; get educational materials; and receive tips for coping. Since lupus causes people to be isolated, the support group creates themed meetings and decorates the room so that they can have an uplifting experience. They also do giveaways with items that patients can use in daily life.
The City’s current Resolution of Fees enables non-profit organizations and other entities to use the Community Center and other facilities at a reduced rate if certain requirements are met as follows:
• Non-Profit Rate: (discount rate equal to 70% of full rate). Applies to local non-profit agencies typically organizations that are designated as 501(c)(3) and whose membership consist of 75% or more Carson residents or can show proof that services rendered or participation at a specific event includes 75% or more Carson residents.
• Resident Rate: (discount rate equal to 50% of full rate). Resident must be the applicant, show proof of residency and must be present at all times during the event
• Government Rate: Minimum rate of $250 for 1-500 attendees, or $500 for 501 or more attendees. Renter will also pay City's actual staff time multiplied by the rate of wages and benefits, plus the City's outof-pocket costs.
• Flat Rate: Rate of $40 per month for non-profit 501 (c)(3) Carson-based organizations as defined above; with less than 30 attendees who meet for no more than two (2) hours, once per month
In previous years, the request from the Lupus Foundation of America Carson for a room fee waiver went to the City Manager’s Office and the City Manager administratively approved the fee waiver since it was associated with the City run program Lupus Walk and of service to Carson residents impacted by Lupus.
Recently a request by the Lupus Foundation of America Carson was made to the City Manager’s Office requesting a fee waiver (Exhibit No. 1). The City Manager is not aware of having discretionary authority for a few waiver in this instance beyond the Resolution of Fees discussed above, which provides for only a limited fee waiver.
Today, the City Council is asked to consider a fee waiver for the use of the Veterans Sportscomplex Activity Room for the Lupus Foundation of America on the first Thursday of each month from February to June 2020. The total cost at a non-profit rate for this fee waiver is $792.00 plus a one-time $ 125.00 refundable deposit to secure the room (Exhibit No. 2). This amount is based on the following breakdown:
|
Item |
Cost |
|
Room Rental |
$400.00* |
|
Sur Charge |
$32.00 |
|
Staffing |
$360.00 |
|
Total |
$792.00 |
*Room rental from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
V. FISCAL IMPACT
Should the City Council authorize the fee waiver, the city will not realize $792.00 in revenue for the use of the Veterans Park Sportscomplex Activity Room.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. Lupus Foundation of America Request for Fee Waiver (pgs. 4-5)
2. Veterans Sportscomplex Rental Rates (pg. 6)
1.
Prepared by: Bobby Grove - Recreation Program Manager