Harmonization of User Fees for Recreation Programs

 The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (May 26, 1998) from the Chief Administrative Officer:

 Purpose:

 This report provides details of the process to be followed by the Parks and Recreation Department for the harmonization of user fees for its recreation programs. As a pilot project, this initiative will inform future processes for the harmonization of user fees.

 Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

 The recommendations in this report have no immediate financial impact. The funding of programs will be impacted where user fees are harmonized and reset for specific recreation programs in 1999.

 Recommendations:

 It is recommended that:

 (1)the pilot process for the harmonization of user fees for recreation programs in the Parks and Recreation Division outlined in this report be approved;

 (2)the Terms of Reference for the User Fee Committee outlined in the Appendix be approved;

 (3)the User Fee Committee report to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee in August 1998 on a generic consultation process based on the parks and recreation pilot project that may be used by the Standing Committees for the harmonization of user fees as a result of amalgamation;

 (4)this report be forwarded to the User Fee Committee; and

 (5)the appropriate City Officials be authorized to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

 Council Reference/Background/History:

 On May 13, 1998 Council received a report from the Striking Committee recommending the appointment of members to the User Fee Committee, and directing the User Fee Committee to await the outcome of reports requested of the Chief Administrative Officer by the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee to report back on the Terms of Reference for a complete review of fees and service levels throughout the new City of Toronto. The Chief Administrative Officer was also requested to report to the next meeting of the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee as to the process and timetable for the establishment of service levels and user fees.

 This report discusses the pilot project for the harmonization of user fees for recreation programs that will be undertaken in consultation with the User Fee Committee. A separate report addressing the harmonization of other services is also being submitted to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee.

 Pilot Project:

 The issue of user fees for Parks and Recreation programs is perhaps one of the most visible examples of variances in policy among the former municipalities. The variances present a major challenge in developing a new approach to Parks and Recreation user fees that is equitable and appropriate for all areas of Toronto. This pilot project will provide valuable insight to inform future user fee harmonization projects.

 The Parks and Recreation Division, acting on the advice of the Budget Committee, has developed a fast tracked strategy to bring a series of policy options forward for public consultation. The process proposed involves consultation with user groups, key stakeholders, and ultimately formal input and deputations at meetings of Community Councils and the User Fee Committee. The main features of the consultation plan are as follows:

 (1)Development of Discussion Paper:

 A comprehensive discussion paper has been developed by Parks and Recreation Division Staff which will form the basis for the public consultation process. The paper discusses the current scenarios in each of the former municipalities and provides the key elements of a strategy to develop a new comprehensive user fee policy. This discussion paper is being distributed the week of June 1, 1998, and will be available at all Community Centres, Recreation Facilities, Civic Centres and Libraries, will be posted on the City of Toronto Internet home page, and will be sent to key stakeholders and user groups. The discussion paper also provides opportunity for individuals to submit direct comments to the staff group which is co-ordinating the consultation process.

 (2)Key Stakeholder Involvement:

 A series of individual and focus group sessions will be held with a variety of key stakeholders in the first two weeks of June 1998. These sessions are intended to get input from groups with a specific interest in recreation programs. These include:

 (a)Community Based Advisory Groups, in each of the former municipalities made up of key volunteers and allied professionals involved in the delivery of our services;

 (b)Children=s Action Committee, a specific consultation session with this committee will be held in June 1998;

 (c)Toronto Community Social Planning Council will have a specific focus group consultation session in June 1998; and

 (d)Allied Groups, such as the YMCA=s, Boys and Girls Clubs, Metro Toronto Housing Authority, Toronto Police, Boards of Education and other allied service groups will have focus group consultation.

 Once the dates for all these sessions are finalized, a list will be forwarded to Councillors.

 (3)Open Public Consultation Sessions:

 Four open consultation sessions are being planned for the last two weeks of June 1998. These sessions will be held at different geographical locations across the City and will be held in City owned recreation facilities. The sessions will be advertised in advance in local newspapers, recreation facilities and civic centres. The sessions will feature a short presentation to provide background and context, and the objective of these meetings will be to receive input from the public.

 (4)Consultation Report to the Standing Committee:

 A summary report will be prepared for the Economic Development Committee in September 1998 that provides a broad overview of the findings of the public consultation process, proposed policy changes, and the major options that should be presented for formal deputations to be held by the User Fee Committee in conjunction with the six Community Councils. In late September and early October, six formal deputation sessions are proposed for the User Fee Committee with the Community Councils.

 (5)Economic Development Committee Review of Community Council/User Fee Committee Recommendations:

 The findings and recommendations of the six community councils and the User Fee Committee concerning the harmonization of user fee policy for recreation programs will be submitted to the Economic Development Committee and subsequently for Council=s consideration.

 User Fee Committee Role:

 The User Fee Committee will work in close consultation with the Parks and Recreation Division.

 The primary focus of the User Fee Committee will be to provide guidance in the evaluation of policy options for the harmonization of user fees for recreation programs provided in the former municipalities. The User Fee Committee, working with a cross departmental team, will also provide guidance on the development of a generic process that may be used for other programs by the appropriate standing committee of Council, based on the parks and recreation model.

 The User Fee Committee: (comprising of Councillors: Giansante, Korwin-Kuczynski, Li Preti, Mammoliti, McConnell, Moeser and Nunziata) will report to the Economic Development Committee. The Terms of Reference for the User Fee Committee are outlined in the Appendix.

 Conclusion:

 The pilot project for the review of Parks and Recreation User Fees is aggressive and fast-tracked. In order to address this issue with sufficient lead time and facilitate implementation of the revised user fee policy for the winter 1998/99 program cycle, the public consultation process must commence during the month of June 1998.

 Contact Name:

 John Macintyre, 397-4451.

Rosanna Scotti, 392-8637.

 Appendix

 Terms of Reference

 User Fee Committee-Review of User Fees Recreation Programs

  (1)Mandate:

 The mandate of the User Fee Committee is to provide guidance to the process for the harmonization of user fees for recreation programs and to propose a generic consultation process for the harmonization of other user fees.

 (2)Duration:

 The User Fee Committee will report to the Economic Development Committee and will present their findings and recommendations to the Economic Development Committee by October 1998. The User Fee Committee will meet on a monthly basis between June and October 1998.

 (3)Process:

 Initially the focus of the User Fee Committee will be to develop a generic process based on the parks and recreation strategy that has been launched. At various levels during the process as outlined in the report from the Chief Administrative Officer, stakeholder input is necessary to ensure a commitment to the recommended user fee policy options. The User Fee Committee will work in close consultation with the Community Councils, staff from the Parks and Recreation Division, community groups and Council members.

 (4)Goals and Objectives:

 The User Fee Committee will need to ensure that a comprehensive process is undertaken for the evaluation of policy options for the harmonization of user fees for recreation programs provided in the former municipalities.

 In particular, the User Fee Committee will identify the necessary priorities from the City=s perspective and ensure that the following factors are taken into consideration:

 (a)accessibility by City residents;

(b)compliance with Council priorities;

(c)specific needs of individual communities, special demands, socio-economic factors;

(d)responsiveness to community needs;

(e)economies of scale;

(f)a balanced perspective of City priorities in relation to different service requirements; and

(g)whether user fees should be based on partial or full cost recovery or market value of services.

 The User Fee Committee will also propose to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee a generic consultation process for the harmonization of user fees by August 1998.

 (5)Staff Support:

 The User Fee Committee will receive secretariat support from the Clerk=s Division and policy support from Parks and Recreation, CAO, Transportation, Works and Community Services staff.