TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: An Ordinance of the City of North Port, Florida, Reducing and Eliminating Certain Fees Related to Warm Mineral Springs Park; Amending the Code of the City of North Port, Florida, Appendix A, Section G - Parks and Recreation Fees; Providing for Findings; Providing for Conflicts; Providing for Severability; Providing for Codification; and Providing an Effective Date.
Recommended Action
The City Commission continue Ordinance No. 2023-16 to second reading.
Recommended Action for Second Reading
The City Commission approve Ordinance No. 2023-16 as amended.
Background Information
During the December 8, 2022, City Commission Special Meeting, there was discussion regarding the costs and resources needed for the operational restoration of Warm Mineral Springs Park considering the damage sustained because of Hurricane Ian. After their discussion, direction was provided by the Commission to terminate the Site Management Agreement with National & State Park Concessions, the former on-site management company, and move as expeditiously as possible to open Warm Mineral Springs. With final site work scheduled to be completed during the week of April 3, 2023, a tentative reopening date of April 7, 2023, has been set.
Upon reopening the Warm Mineral Springs Park to the public, the City will implement a soft opening program with a total of five free days access for users regardless of operating hours as approved by Commission during the March 30, 2023, City Commission Regular Meeting. Following the soft opening, patrons can access the park utilizing remaining valid pass visits transferred to the City’s pass tracking system or by paying the established daily admission fee as documented in Ordinance No. 2022-17, Appendix A - City Fee Structure.
As it is the City’s intent to operate the Warm Mineral Springs Park on a temporary basis until a public-private partnership is approved, sales of multi-visit passes (10-visits and 30-day) and annual passes with a one-year expiration date have been placed on hold. Based on the discounted rates that are extended to residents and non-residents through the sale of these passes, staff recommends the following amended pricing for Commission consideration:
Resident
Daily - Student (6-17 years of age): $5.00 per person flat fee
Daily - Adult (18 years of age or older): $5.00 per person flat fee
Non-Resident
Daily - Student (6-17 years of age): $7.00 per person flat fee
Daily - Adult (18 years of age or older): $7.00 per person flat fee
Charter/tour buses:
Groups of 20 or more: $7.00 per person flat fee
All multi-visit and annual pass sales will be discontinued.
The City Attorney has reviewed Ordinance No. 2023-16 and it is legally correct as to form.
Recommended Changes for Second Reading
During the City Commission Regular Meeting on April 11, 2023, a motion was approved to continue Ordinance No. 2023-16 to second reading on April 25, 2023, as amended changing the daily rate for residents to be $8/per person and non-residents and charter tour bus rates to be $11/per person.
Strategic Plan
Quality of Life
Financial Impact
Fiscal Year 2022 revenue for Warm Mineral Springs Park as reported by National & State Park Concessions is $1,923,316.97. Based on historical admission and pass sales data, it is estimated that $486,634.34 would be received between the months of April 2023 and September 2023, under the amended pricing structure.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Ordinance - Second Reading
2. Ordinance 2023-16
3. 2023-03-30 City Commission Regular Meeting Minutes
4. 2022-12-08 City Commission Special Meeting Minutes
5. Warm Mineral Springs Park Admission Sales FY22
Prepared by: Sandy Pfundheller, Director, Parks and Recreation Department
Department Director: Sandy Pfundheller, Director, Parks and Recreation Department