Polson postpones special event fees
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POLSON — After much discussion and considerable public comment, the Polson City Commission voted April 17 to table a new special event fee schedule.
The proposal was made to try to recoup nearly $30,000 that such events cost the city last year. Members from several of the organizations that would be charged under the proposed schedule voiced their opposition to the new fees.
After hearing public comment, commissioners initially seemed inclined to approve the recommended list of deposit amounts for use of city property along with an increase in fees for renting city park shelters. However, further questions arose about the deposits and resulted in the commission tabling the issue until the next meeting on May 1. In addition, there seemed to be a consensus to postpone changes to the special event permit fees for six months.
Toward the end of the meeting, the city’s Parks and Recreation Director Pat Nowlen said he’s been on the job one year.
“It was a very hectic first year,” he said, adding that it has brought a new policy, new staff and a lot of changes.
Nowlen, previously the city’s golf course superintendent for 11 years, said he modeled the proposed fee structure after Missoula’s but added that he wasn’t using their dollar amounts.
“Missoula had the most fluid system” of the six cities he studied, he said.
“We made our best attempt to keep fees at a reasonable amount but still recover our costs,” he said, noting the city Parks Board unanimously approved the proposal. The fees and deposits would go for rental or replacement of signs, cones and barricades.
He gave two examples from the lengthy list of fees. The Rotary Club’s Chili Cook-off would be assessed an $85 vehicle access permit fee with a $700 refundable deposit for using tents with stakes. The Blues Fest would be charged $260 for the two-day event with an $800 deposit. Non-profit organizations would receive a 50-percent reduction under the proposal.
City Manager Mark Shrives noted that the park shelters were in dire need of new tables and equipment, which presumably the increased rental fees would pay for.
Commissioner Stephen Turner was the first commissioner to question the proposal. Turner said he supports the deposits but not the fees and requested giving organizations and residents six months to become familiar with them.
Turner said he had a problem with the number of permits.
“It’s getting a little crazy,” he said. “Do we have a permit to walk on the place?” He also criticized a fee for rental of concession stands.
Mayor Heather Knutson concurred with Turner. “It’s a little late in the game to plan for these fees,” she said, referring to the fast-approaching summer season.
Representing the Beta Sigma Phi women’s club that puts on the Easter Egg Hunt, Joslyn Shackelford said last year’s event resulted in damages to the golf course, stakes, ropes and a bunker rake, but noted that the group wasn’t initially told about it. She encouraged city staff to communicate better with the public. A representative of the Rotary Club also said they didn’t know that their event resulted in damages last year.
Russ Harbin, commander of the American Legion, said the city would be “entering a very dangerous area” if it proceeds with the proposal. “These events provide our children with activities, wholesome activities. We need to tread softly on the subject,” he said.
“If you want the events to stay in town, don’t hit us again for one more thing,” said Tali Barron, who volunteers with the Cherry Festival.
Shrives noted that the city is proposing to split the park shelter rentals into two half days from 6-11 a.m. and noon to 5 p.m. with a city inspection following each.
Odds and ends
In other news, Shrives announced that the city did not receive a grant from a Minnesota Indian tribe for its skate park. Shrives said he will ask the Rotary Club to donate funds.
The commission unanimously approved the second reading of a zoning map change related to the Ridgewater subdivision. The land in question will be rezoned from commercial to mixed residential consisting of affordable housing units and some townhomes, City Planner Kyle Roberts said.
A finding of fact related to the Gray’s Acres subdivision was approved 5-0 with two abstentions. The commission voted unanimously on Jan. 4 to deny a minor subdivision that would have divided the land into three lots with the goal of developing four-plexes on each lot. Road access on Thirteenth Avenue East and Eleventh Street East was an issue however, as the city considers those adjoining county streets substandard.
A labor contract for replacement of the irrigation system at the city’s “old 9 portion” of Polson Bay Golf Course was awarded to O & J Golf Construction for $518,412, which was the lowest of five bids.
