HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2004-009
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Sponsored by: Shealy
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2004-09
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, INCREASING AND
SETTING MUNICIPAL CAMPING FEES
WHEREAS, a recent survey shows Seward's municipal camping fees are comparable with
other agencies or private companies; and
WHEREAS, there is an interest in expanding winter camping to include electricity; and
WHEREAS, the conversion of7 5 sites from dry camping to water/electric camping warrants
an increase in utility camping.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD, ALASKA, that:
Section 1.
Regular camping fees shall increase on F ebmary I, 2004, from the current rate
to:
A. $8.00 shall be charged per tent,
B. $12.00 shall be charged per RV, camper or trailer,
C. $25.00 shall be charged per Utility Site,
D. $2.00 shall be charged per unit for dry winter camping (between October I through April
14 each year) in the designated "Winter Camping" area, (no change.)
E. $30.00 shall be shall be charged per unit for electricity winter camping (between October 1
through April 14 each year) in the designated "Electricity Winter Camping" area.
Section 2. Fees are inclusive ofthe sales tax at the prevailing rate. {Adjustments to tax
rates will not affect camping fees until such time as camping fees are changed again by resolution.}
Section 3.
This resolution shall take effect ten days after its adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the city of Seward, Alaska this 12th day
of January, 2004.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
c.~~ fS~J
C. David Brossow
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2004-09
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST:
Shafer, Dunham, Clark, Amberg, Valdatta, Branson, Brossow
None
None
None
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(City Seal)
Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: January 12, 2004
From: Karin Sturdy, Parks & Recreation Director
Through: Phil Shealy, City Manager
Agenda Item: Campground Fees Increase
BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION
According to Seward City Code § 11.15.100, “Fees for camping shall be set by resolution of
the city council.” In May of 2002, the administration asked Council to increase camping
fees to offset department personnel changes. All fees were increased $2 per night, except
winter camping. Prior to that, we made a 1999 increase of $2 each Fourth of July weekend.
Last June we converted 75 dry camping sites to 75 water/electric camp sites in our caravan
and Resurrection camping area. While we note a drop in dry ‘camping revenue’ due to the
conversion of the 75 sites, we budgeted an increase in ‘utility revenue’ due to the increase.
In the 2004 season, we budget $218,500 for utility camping and $213,000 for dry RV
camping.
Public discussion regarding fee increases took place immediately after we began the
conversion to electric sites. Though our costs for providing water and electricity are
covered within the current $17 fee, pressure from the community and private businesses
prompted these fee increases to electricity/water camping.
There has also been a request to overhaul our winter camping program. Currently, we
allow camping at “Iditarod Campground” which is located at the southern point of our
beach, between the new Founders’ Monument and the Alaska SeaLife Center parking lot.
This is also a self-registration camping area. The fee is $2 per night. We had about 100
paid campers in October.
The suggestion has been made that we provide maintenance and reopen a portion of the
new electricity sites and market winter camping to hearty weekenders and snowmachining
Rv-ers. Obviously, due to the increased cold and dark, campers would use much more
power for heat and lights than in the summer. Therefore we invented an experimental
price of $30 per night for electricity hook-ups. Winter camping will cost additional resources
in winter maintenance of plowing, sanding and ice removal; additional staff hours in fee
collection, compliance and power switch-on/switch off and minor maintenance issues. We
do not have campground employees available on the weekends, we would need to hire and
train employees.
We propose that - should Council approve the winter camping experiment - that there be
no immediate increases in expenses, until this spring when the results can be presented,
and the program continue or discontinued in the fall. Expenses and budgets can be
adjusted then.
Page 2 / Campground Fee Increase
Current fees of the 2003 season are: *
Tent $ 8.00
RV, camper, etc... $12.00
Utility site $17.00
Winter camping (October 1 through April 14) $2.00
We recommend increasing fees effective February 1, 2004 to the following schedule: *
Tent $ 8.00 no change
RV, camper, etc... $12.00 no change
Utility site $25.00 $8 increase
Dry winter camping $ 2.00 no change
Electric winter camp $30.00 (new category)
* NOTE: Fees are inclusive of the sales tax at the prevailing rate. {Adjustments to
tax rates will not affect camping fees until such time as camping fees are changed
again by resolution.}
In recent years, our statistics show an annual visit of 36,000 camper nights. It has
decreased slightly since the 50th anniversary of the Al-Can Highway.
For your information, a survey of local camper parks and public campground fees from fall
2003 is included. Often, when higher fees are listed, more amenities such as free showers,
individual picnic tables and fire rings are included. We charge $2 per shower which would
place us at the higher end of the fees scale, if showers were included in the unit price.
CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Yes No
1. Comprehensive Plan n/a
2. Strategic Plan x
3. Other: 1993 Parks & Rec Master Plan n/a
4. Not Applicable
FISCAL NOTE:
These fee increases were approved by Council within the General Fund budget. The impacts of
managing a winter campgrounds are unknown.
Approved by Finance Department
RECOMMENDATION:
City Council approve Resolution 2004–09, increasing and setting municipal
camping fees to $8.00 per tent, $12.00 per RV unit, $25.00 per utility site,
$2.00 per dry winter camping unit, and $30 per electricity winter camping unit.
Fees are inclusive of the sales tax at the prevailing rate. {Adjustments to tax
rates will not affect camping fees until such time as camping fees are changed
again by resolution.}