22.PARKS AND RECREATION USER FEES.

Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, Parks and Recreation, Presentaiton to the User Fee Committee

(October 27, 1998)

Providing Recommended Policy Principles: (1) Recreation programs are important municipal services which contribute significant personal, social, economic and environmental benefits which enhance the well-being of Toronto citizens, their neighbourhoods and the local economy; (2) We shall ensure all City Residents year-round accessibility to high quality community recreation and leisure programs regardless of their ability to pay; (3) We shall ensure equity and fairness to taxpayers and contribute to the long term vitality of public recreation services provided by the City and the voluntary and not-for-profit sectors; and (4) we shall encourage maximum opportunity for the enjoyable, healthful, satisfying and creative use of leisure time; Recommended Policy Elements: (1) Client and taxpayers at the forefront of pricing decisions; (2) Consistency city-wide; (3) Quality service standards not influenced by user fees; (4) Priority to children, youth, seniors, persons with a disability and voluntarism; (5) accessibility strategies; (6) Price based on benefits to user, benefits to community and operating costs; and (7) Accountability; and Recommended Implementation Guidelines: (1) Establish list of services which do not charge a user fee and are available universally; (2) Where a user fee is to be charged, fees to be based on different levels of cost recovery (10% to over 100%); (3) Harmonize spring 1999, followed by stable price strategy to ensure future adjustments are gradual; (4) Establish effective measures to provide access to low income individuals and high need communities; (5) Monitor and adjust fees on an annual basis prior to the submission of the annual budget; and (6) Utilize a variety of effective user fee methods including current technologies to enhance customer service (eg. Access Asmart@ card and improved registration system.

(A copy of the aforementioned presentation was forwarded to all Members of Council with the agenda of the York Community Council meeting of November 12, 1998 and a copy thereof is on file in the Clerk's Department, York Civic Centre.)

Councillor Bill Saundercook, Chair, York Community Council

(August 18, 1998)

Could you please schedule deputations on Parks and Recreation User Fees on the York Community Council agenda for the evening of November 12, 1998.

John A. Macintyre, Economic Development, Culture & Tourism

(August 6, 1998)

The User Fee Committee has approved the public consultation process related to Recreation User Fees and we will be embarking on a two state consultation process this Fall. The first stage calls for broad community input while the second stage calls for formal deputations to Community Councils. Accordingly, please accept this as a request to schedule deputations for the Parks and Recreation User Fees issue at the evening sessions of the November 12, 1998 Community Council meetings.

Further background information will be provided on this issue as it evolves this fall.