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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2012-030 Sponsored by: Hunt l CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2012 -030 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, APPROVING TEEN AND YOUTH CENTER DAY CAMP FEE SUBSIDIES, AND REDUCING THE 2012/2013 TYC REVENUE BUDGET WHEREAS, the 2012/2013 Budget included an increase in fees associated with day camps from $65 to $100 (54% increase) per week for regular day camps, and from $100 to $150 (50% increase) per week for adventure camps, resulting in an increase to budgeted revenues of $1 6,000 and WHEREAS, in order to mitigate the impact of the day camp fee increase on low - income families, a 50% fee reduction was given to families qualifying for food stamps, with such fee reduction not being reflected in the 2012/2013 TYC budgeted revenues; and WHEREAS, some Council members requested additional subsidies be provided to families who may not qualify for food stamps but who might qualify for fee reductions based on eligibility for programs such as WIC, Public Assistance, Denali Kid Care and /or Free and Reduced Lunch, and this resolution serves that purpose; and irow WHEREAS, a sliding fee program approved by the City Council would result in the following day camp fees: 1) Tier I — Provide proof of food stamps eligibility to pay 50% of the posted day camp fee; 2) Tier II — Provide proof of eligibility for any of the following programs: WIC, Denali Kid Care, Free or Reduced Lunch, Public Assistance, to pay 75% of the posted day camp fee; 3) Tier III pay 100% of the posted day camp fee; and 4) Family Discount — First two children pay full price; Half price for each additional child (Tier I and Tier II are not eligible for family discount) for day camps; and WHEREAS, the estimated impact on the 2012/2013 budget is a loss of between $5,000 and $10,000 in TYC revenue, assuming no families drop participation in the TYC program based on the non - subsidized fee increase. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, that: Section 1. The City Council directs the City Manager to adopt additional subsidies for TYC day camp programs as follows: 1) Tier I — Provide proof of food stamps eligibility to pay 50% of the posted day camp fee; 2) Tier II — Provide proof of eligibility for any of the following programs: WIC, Denali Kid Care, Free or Reduced Lunch, Public Assistance, to pay 75% of the posted day camp fee; 3) Tier III pay 100% of the posted day camp fee; and 4) Family Discount — First two children pay full aT price; Half price for each additional child (Tier I and Tier II are not eligible for family discount) for pr„ day camps. CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2012 -030 worti Section 2. TYC Program Revenues for 2012 and 2013 are hereby reduced by $5,000 in consideration of the increase in day camp fee subsidies. Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption. PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this 14 day of May, 2012. THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA ,--4 .0X---- David Seaward, Mayor AYES: Valdatta, Bardarson, Keil, Casagranda, Shafer, Terry t .....1 NOES: Seaward ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None ATTEST: GKCt / t hanna Kinney, CMC �� � 'ity Clerk " Of S # e� • A � X 1°1 • ® l SEAL r Z Y ., *rF .0F A',p0`4. Council Agenda Statement Meeting Date: May 14, 2012 V`j Through: City Manager Jim Hunt q p NIP From: Karin Sturdy, Parks & Recreation Department Director Agenda Item: Teen & Youth Center Day Camp Fees Review BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION: During the 2012/2013 budget process, the city council asked for a $50,000 reduction in the cost of parks and recreation. To meet that mandate, the administration came back with a combination of cuts to services, and increases in TYC fees. The daily and weekly day camp fees were significantly increased and approved in the final 2012/2013 Budget. The price for regular day camps was increased from $65 to $100 per week ($35 per week, or 54% rate increase), and for adventure camps from $100 to $150 per week ($50 per week, or 50% rate increase). During budget work sessions, some members of the city council asked that staff consider implementing a `sliding fee scale' for families who cannot afford, but need the services of Day Camps. Staff researched existing sliding -fee programs with the aim of minimizing the need for staff to review customer's financial data, as well as to protect customers from having to prove their financial qualification for reduced fees. What we discovered is that some existing programs consider qualifications other than low income. For example, regardless of income, some families can qualify for Denali Kid Care. Regardless of income, a foster family or family who subsistence fish, can qualify for the school `free- or reduced -lunch program'. Therefore, staff did not feel that the criteria of those programs matched the Council's goal of providing fee subsidies to families with low income. For that reason, staff elected to use one simple State of Alaska chart on low - income. We selected and advertised a simple, "yes /no" approach to qualifying for reduced fees, and asked families to check a box to indicate whether they qualify for food stamps. If yes, they would pay the lesser amount, approximately fifty percent of the regular fees. Once the higher fees were published (including fee discount for "Food Stamps Qualifiers "), families stated that the fees were too high for those who did not qualify for a subsidy. Council expressed concern that the administration failed to bring a sliding fee scale back to them for approval. This led to further Council discussion and a public, parent meeting held at TYC. At the public meeting, parent feedback included the following: 1) consider subsidy thresholds other than simply qualifying for "food stamps "; 2) consider family discounts for families with more than two children; and 3) review the costs of the Adventure Camp to determine whether it was detracting from the regular Day Camp program in staff and expenses. TYC conducted user surveys through paper and www.surveymonkey.com and sought additional information from WIC, Denali Kid Care, Student Nutrition Services and Public Assistance. Because the City of Seward is one of very few cities seeking to offer discounts for families in need, little is available in the way of models from which to borrow. Of 33 surveys, 6 respondents stated that the price for days camps ($110 /week) was too high; with the majority selecting "fair price" or "amazing value ". For these reasons, the administration does not recommend implementing criteria other than food stamp qualification, in its reduction of TYC day camp fees. However, the administration would be agreeable to rolling back the fee increase to 2011 levels, if the Council desires. Alternatively, if the City Council prefers to utilize subsidy criteria in addition to Food Stamps, the attached resolution provides a sliding fee scale option. If approved, the TYC will implement the following fee structure for Regular Day Camps: Tier I — Provide proof of food stamps eligibility to pay 50% of the posted fee Tier II — Provide proof of eligibility for any of the following programs: WIC, Denali Kid Care, Free or Reduced Lunch, Public Assistance, to pay 75% of the posted fee Tier III — Pay 100% of the posted fee Family Discount — First two children pay full price; half -price for each additional child. Tier I and Tier II not eligible for family discount. The parks and recreation department is seeking to meet competing demands; to provide excellent quality service, without increasing the subsidy that the TYC currently receives from the taxpayers. At the same time, during the budget process the department was instructed to reduce the subsidy that the taxpayer provides to parks and recreation. To that end, the department increased TYC fees for summer day camp programs. To alleviate the financial hardship on low income families however, the department has concurrently implemented a reduced fee for families who qualify for food stamps. It is possible to provide additional subsidies for more families in the form of lower TYC fees, but that will come at the cost of higher subsidies from the taxpayers to the TYC program, which conflicts with the direction we were given to reduce subsidies and, we fear, lead to a further reduction of our program's services. The SPRD staff supports the fees which have been advertised, including the "food stamps" criteria to qualify for a reduction in TYC fees. Families with significant financial issues will find relief through the Food Stamps Card. Unfortunately, adding additional levels of `sliding fee' will add a layer of bureaucracy that will increase TYC expenses and reduce direct services. INTENT: Provide the City Council with additional "sliding fee" options, other than the current sole criteria of qualification for "food stamps ", to subsidize additional families' TYC fees. CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Yes No N/A Comprehensive Plan: 2.2 Community Values. Recreation, page 11 "We value diverse, year- round, indoor and outdoor recreational X 1 ' opportunities for residents and visitors of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds" Strategic Plan: Vision Statement: "healthy, vibrant community with a strong, diverse economy with quality business, educational and recreational opportunities" (reiterated pg 12) Pg 8: "promote winter activities," Pg 19: 2 Provide adequate funding for a financially sound city government. The City of x Seward is a fiscally responsible entity which utilizes creative and responsible funding alternatives. "Maintain and enhance medical and social services. "We are a community that provides an integrated array of health care services designed to protect and improve the quality of life for all citizens." 3. Other (list): Not listed in 1993 SPRD Master Plan X FISCAL NOTE: The 2012/2013 budget reflects an overall increase of $16,000 in TYC revenues based on an increase in summer camp fees. This does not assume however, any reduction in revenues that will occur if families decide that they cannot send their children to the TYC due to the higher fees. By implementing the 50% reduction in day camp fees for families qualifying for food stamps, we can expect a reduction in TYC revenues, but the magnitude of that reduction is uncertain. Assuming that 30% of the children attending the TYC day camps will qualify for the reduction, the loss in revenue is expected to be a minimum of $5,000. If a sliding fee scale is implemented that provides subsidies for additional families beyond those who would qualify based on food stamps criteria, the further loss in revenues is unknown, but likely would not exceed an additional $5,000. Approved by Finance Department: 1. ,_/1!O • ATTORNEY REVIEW: Yes No X RECOMMENDATION: The administration does not support Resolution 2012 - w would implement a sliding fee scale to expand TYC fee subsidies to families other than those qualifying for food stamps.