Title
Consider adopting Ordinance No. 3297 amending the Farmers Branch Code of Ordinances, Appendix A - Fee Schedule, relative to fees established pursuant to Chapter 50 "Parks and Recreation," Article II "Rules and Regulations," Section 50-41 "Parks and Recreation User Fees"; and, Chapter 86 "Utilities," Article IV "Service Rates and Billing Procedure," Section 86-276 "Water Service Rates," and Section 86-277 "Sewer Rates," and take appropriate action.
Body
BACKGROUND:
Ordinance No. 3297 has been prepared to address needed changes to rates and fees associated with a broad range of City services. All proposed fees are generally comparable to those charged for similar services in neighboring cities and are necessary to defray the rising costs associated with providing these services and to reestablish fees for the new aquatics facility.
DISCUSSION:
Fees for Parks are being amended to add and/or reestablish fees related to the use and rental of the new aquatic facility, including:
· Establishing fees for Day Camp Rates (Indoor & Outdoor Facility), Punch Cards for non-residents (Indoor & Outdoor Facility), Off Season Shelter Rentals (Outdoor Facility), and Room Rentals for non-residents (Indoor Facility).
· Revising Outdoor Facility - After Hours Pool Rental. The original ordinance provided for rental of three areas and an exclusive use option. Rental of the pool area is exclusive use only.
· Revising the Indoor Facility - Room Rental Deposit to reflect $50.00 (previously $30).
· Adding a provision that Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD employees and employees of private schools located in Farmers Branch are eligible to receive resident rates.
· Defining that "Family" passes are valid for up to four immediate family members only and additional family members are $10 each. Immediate families are further defined as adult couples and their dependent children under 18 years of age with an exception for full-time college students up to and including 22 years of age.
Fees for water and sewer service are being increased by 12% to help offset increases from Dallas Water Utilities and the Trinity River Authority for the contracted purchase of treated water and wastewater disposal, respectively, as well as to provide for needed capital improvements. Water and sewer rates were last increased on October 1, 2013. The monthly utility bill of an average residential customer with 10,000 gallons water consumption, considering both the water and sewer rate change, will increase from $68.35 to $76.60 for a change of $8.25 per month.
This ordinance supports Core Value No. 7 (Fiscally Sound Government).
RECOMMENDATION:
City Administration recommends adopting Ordinance No. 3297 amending the Farmers Branch Code of Ordinances, Appendix A - Fee Schedule, relative to fees established pursuant to Chapter 50 "Parks and Recreation," Article II "Rules and Regulations," Section 50-41 "Parks and Recreation User Fees"; and, Chapter 86 "Utilities," Article IV "Service Rates and Billing Procedure," Section 86-276 "Water Service Rates," and Section 86-277 "Sewer Rates".
ACTIONS:
1) Motion to adopt Ordinance No. 3297 amending the Farmers Branch Code of Ordinances, Appendix A - Fee Schedule, relative to fees established pursuant to Chapter 50 "Parks and Recreation," Article II "Rules and Regulations," Section 50-41 "Parks and Recreation User Fees"; and, Chapter 86 "Utilities," Article IV "Service Rates and Billing Procedure," Section 86-276 "Water Service Rates," and Section 86-277 "Sewer Rates".
2) Motion to deny adopting Ordinance No. 3297 amending the Farmers Branch Code of Ordinances, Appendix A - Fee Schedule, relative to fees established pursuant to Chapter 50 "Parks and Recreation," Article II "Rules and Regulations," Section 50-41 "Parks and Recreation User Fees"; and, Chapter 86 "Utilities," Article IV "Service Rates and Billing Procedure," Section 86-276 "Water Service Rates," and Section 86-277 "Sewer Rates".
3) Motion to modify Ordinance No. 3297 to meet the needs of the Council.
4) Motion to table the issue for further study or take no action.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Ordinance No. 3297