Recreation Program Policy Plan

Purpose

At the September 3rd Special City Council work session discussion on the 2020 General Fund and Levy, the city's recreation program and associated staffing requirements were discussed.  The outcome was twofold:

1. There was a consensus that Resolution #19-189 to back-fill the Recreation Specialist be placed on City Council's agenda for consideration on September 10, 2019
2.  Additionally, there was acknowledgement that at the prior work session (that corresponds to the above Resolution), that both the background on recreation programming be briefly outlined, and moreover that a plan be set into motion that results in a Recreation Program Policy that Council may subsequently approve.

Note: This policy development corresponds to the adopted Strategic Plan Strategy to "Connect the community both physically and socially to destinations, services, and activities." and more specifically, the Action item "Update the Recreation Programming Work Plan—Deliver a diversity of programs that finds a balance of revenue and access."


Background

Formalizing recreation programming goes back approximately one half decade ago as part of the city's [then] strategic plan goal of 'creating a diverse and robust system of recreation services.'  One significant step in that process was to inventory recreation opportunities available within a 15 minute drive from Ramsey.  That 2015 analysis (of a 134 categories) found that there was a void in Ramsey for recreational opportunity with many different offerings unavailable from neither the private or public sector.

The various attachments following the adopted Strategic Plan (below) track the above mentioned planning analysis and survey of residents' desire for recreation and enrichment programming.  For the work session discussion, staff will be available to provide examples of successful recreation program offerings to date, as well as those programs that have been discontinued due to low interest or participation.

In terms of addressing the strategic plan action item to Update the Recreation Programming Work Plan—Deliver a diversity of programs that finds a balance of revenue and access, this will be established as a high priority and a policy development goal to be addressed in 2019 with the support of the Recreation Specialist (predicated upon adoption of Resolution #19-189 hiring Ms. Abby Proulx).

Elements of this Recreation Program Plan and Policy are anticipated to include:

*******SAMPLE Table of Contents******
Executive Summary.
Introduction.
Purpose.
Mission and Vision.
Goals and Strategies.
Benefits.
Trends.
Demographics
Economy.
Recreation.
Promoting Community Health.
Current Programs.
Planning Considerations.
Operational Considerations.
Recommendations.
Inclusion.
Fee Setting.
Cost Recovery.
Non-residents
Evaluation.
Fee Assistance.
References

Under the Planning Consideration category (above sample table of contents) would elaborate on the following sub-topics:

Program Philosophy
The program philosophy determines the City’s role in providing recreation programs and services. The mission, vision, and goals shape this philosophy to ensure proper use of resources when prioritizing future programs. As the program philosophy is developed, various evaluation factors must be understood:

• Cost recovery
• Facilities
• Staffing
• Administrative support
• Funding
• Number of people served
• Demand
• Partnerships, in-house vs. contracted
• Other providers
• Community benefit

As alluded to, following the Recreation Specialist becoming familiar and engaged with her day-to-day role and responsibilities in serving Ramsey's residents, the top priority will be to work with peer staff in completing the Recreation Program Plan and Policy for Park and Recreation Commission input, and subsequent consideration by City Council.  This first draft work is anticipated to be completed in 2019 or available leading up to City Council's strategic planning in early Winter of 2020.

10 minutes may be required to outline components and timeline associated with development of a Recreation Program Work Plan and Policy.

This work session does not not authorize funding, however the resultant Recreation Program Policy may yield a modest increase in the revenue side of recreation and enrichment programming for 2020.

Parks & Asst. Public Works Superintendent Riverblood shall lead the discussion on the Recreation Work Plan and Policy recommended to be undertaken.

Administrative Services Manager Lasher will be available to respond to staffing costs or employment stipulations (E.g. Interns versus Part Time Regular staff) should there be questions.

Consensus on the expected elements (and timeline) associated with developing a Recreation Program Policy for subsequent City Council consideration.