TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to revoke Water Aerobics Fees for seniors that were included as part of the Fiscal Year 2016 Master Fee and Charges Schedule for Belmont Plaza Pool. (District 3)
DISCUSSION
The City of Long Beach (City) adopted water exercise fees for seniors at various City swimming facilities in both the Tidelands and Upland areas. On September 8, 2015, the City Council approved the FY16 Master Fee and Charges Schedule, which included fees for water aerobics (for seniors) at Belmont Plaza Pool, located in the Tidelands area. On September 17, 2015, the Parks and Recreation Commission (Commission) approved the FY16 General Park Fees, which included a new fee for water aerobics (for seniors) at Martin Luther King, Jr. and Silverado Pools, both located in the Upland area.
Subsequently, on October 13, 2015, Councilmember Dee Andrews submitted an item to the City Council related to all of the above-mentioned senior water exercise fees at all City pools. Councilmember Andrews’ agenda item stated that the $2 increase per class could impact individuals in the amount of $480 per year, while the average annual income of seniors in Long Beach is $26,000, which is below the national poverty level. He further stated that this increase, when combined with the need to exercise being critical to maintaining fit and healthy bodies, could be deemed an unnecessarily high burden for many senior residents.
By a vote of 9-0, the City Council approved a recommendation to refer the senior water exercise fees at Martin Luther King, Jr. and Silverado Pools, in the Upland area, back to the Commission with a request to revoke them; the fee revocation occurred on November 19, 2015. In addition, the Commission directed staff of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine to research the definition of a senior within the parks and recreation industry, and consider a redefinition of a senior before consideration of the FY17 General Park Fees. City Council action is necessary to likewise revoke the senior water exercise fees at Belmont Plaza Pool in the Tidelands area.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda T. Vu on December 29, 2015 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on December 17, 2015.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on January 19, 2016, in order to enable the immediate revocation of the Water Aerobics Fees for seniors at Belmont Plaza Pool in the Tidelands area.
FISCAL IMPACT
The recommended action would result in a loss of approximately $16,300 in revenue for the remainder of FY16 in the Tidelands Operations Fund (TF 401) in the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department (PR). There is no local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
STEPHEN P. SCOTT
INTERIM DIRECTOR OF PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER