TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: Peter D. Lear, CPA, CGMA, City Manager
TITLE: Review and Consideration of Proposed Facility Use Agreement Between the School Board of Sarasota County, Florida, and the City of North Port, Florida, Regarding Use of the North Port Aquatic Center
Recommended Action
Review and consideration of proposed Facility Use Agreement between the School Board of Sarasota County, Florida, and the City of North Port, Florida, Regarding use of the North Port Aquatic Center.
Background Information
On February 23, 2018, City Manager Lear sent a letter to the Sarasota County School Board Superintendent to ascertain the Board’s desire to enter into a funding agreement to assist in the cost of development of the North Port Aquatic Center. In return, the agreement would outline access to the facility for school related sports and social activities. The School Board declined this opportunity. The Commission then discussed use of the Aquatic Center by leagues and teams during Commission meetings on April 16 and July 9, 2018. During those meetings it was expressed that use agreements would be developed for recurring user groups and any exclusive use that interrupted regular public access would require Commission approval.
Prior to the opening of the North Port Aquatic Center (NPAC), staff contacted the North Port High School (NPHS) to understand NPHS facility use needs. Staff held various meetings and discussions with the NPHS Principal and swim coach and worked to outline proposed timelines for the High School to utilize the facility while ensuring continued public access and opportunities for instructional programming and classes are maintained.
The proposed Facility Use Agreement as presented outlines use for the NPHS Swim Team and NPHS Water Polo Team. Between June 1 and October 31 the NPHS Swim Team will have nonexclusive use of the Competition Pool, with designated access to up to four (4) lap lanes of the pool during standard operating hours, for up to 270 hours. The facility rental cost for this access using the current approved Citywide Fee Ordinance of $10 per hour per lane would be approximately $10,800. Similarly, this agreement would provide 120 hours of use of the dive well by the NPHS Water Polo team. The total rental costs using the approved Citywide Fee Ordinance of $80 per hour for the dive well is $9,600.
For benchmarking comparison and reference, Parks & Recreation staff have researched how other entities manage High School team use of a municipal pool, and approaches vary.
• Charlotte County charges school board uses at 50% of the approved fee schedule rates.
• Fort Myers requires the purchase of a $45/swimmer/month membership and charges $200 for each swim meet.
• Manatee County Schools assisted with the capital costs to construct the pool and the schools are provided free swimming access, but pay $15 per hour for lifeguards for any use after operating hours.
• Sarasota charges $1.50/swimmer/day for two-hour time blocks up to 100 swimmers for practices, and $5/swimmer for meets.
• St. Petersburg and Pinellas County Schools have a joint use agreement that provides free access for practices, and charges between $13 - $40 per hour for additional use and competitions.
• Tampa pools charge only for lifeguard costs at $25 per hour.
NPHS staff indicated that they anticipate funding would be available for approximately 50% of the estimated fees. Based on this and the benchmarking information for other entities, staff is seeking direction on the hourly fees to be assessed for the following items:
a) Section 3. “Usage and Scheduling” Item B.3., “Fee” related to Swim Team practice use.
Fees calculated at 50% of the standard rate equate to $5 per hour per lane, or approximately $5,400.
b) Section 3. “Usage and Scheduling” Item C.3., “Fee” related to Water Polo practice use.
Fees calculated at 50% of the standard rate equate to $40 per hour/per dive well, or $4,800.
c) Section 3. “Usage and Scheduling” Item D.2., “Fee” related to the hourly fee to be assessed for exclusive use of the facility to support NPHS Swim Team or NPHS Water Polo competitions.
Fees calculated at 50% of the standard rate equate to $300 per hour to secure the entire facility including required staffing.
It should be noted that during exclusive use, NPHS will be permitted to use the scoreboard with approved training, charge and retain an admission fee, and sell concessions from stands on the pool deck, outside of the fenced in competition pool area. General public admission and programs would not be scheduled during this time. A list of requested dates for exclusive use will require City Manager approval in advance.
For reference, certified City of North Port Parks & Recreation lifeguards must be on stand during any and all uses of the facility as per the Emergency Action Plan submitted and approved by the Department of Health.
The proposed Facility Use Agreement has been approved by the City Attorney as to form and correctness.
Strategic Plan
Parks & Recreation: Expand access to community recreation, green space and Blueways for public enjoyment
Financial Impact
Financial impact will depend on the rates assigned to the use outlined in the proposed agreement.
Procurement
N/A
Attachments:
1. Proposed Facility Use Agreement
Prepared by: Tricia Wisner, Assistant Director, Parks & Recreation
Department Director: Sandy Pfundheller, Director, Parks & Recreation