ITEM 6-J
Council Meeting: February 25, 1992 Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: City Staff
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Adopt Resolution Setting Rental Fees
for the Ground Level of the Ken Edwards Center for
Community Services
INTRODUCTION
This report recommends the adoption of a resolution setting the
rental fees for the ground level of the Ken Edwards Center for
Community Services. Rental fees differ according to the
following types of organizations: City-funded human service
agencies, City departments, divisions, boards and commissions,
other non-profit human service organizations, senior service
organizations, and private organizations.
BACKGROUND
In December of 1990, the Ken Edwards Center for Community
Services was dedicated as a resource for local non-profit
agencies striving to meet the human service needs of Santa Monica
residents, especially those of low income and the senior
population. The Center is comprised of three components: the
Community Conference and Meeting Space, the Senior Multi-Service
Center, and Common Areas. Six meeting rooms are included in the
Community Conference and Meeting Space on the ground level. This
area is intended primarily for use by grantee agencies funded by
the City and the City's Senior Nutrition Program, secondarily for
use by City Departments, Divisions, Boards and Commissions
conducting human service oriented meetings, and lastly by other
non-profit or private organizations convening meetings focused on
human service issues affecting Santa Monica residents. The
Senior Multi-Service Center consists of the facility's second and
third levels leased from the City by two non-profit senior
service organizations; Common Areas refer to sections of the
facility shared by its occupants and users and include lobbies,
second level courtyard and visitor parking. Rental fees
discussed in this report apply to the ground level conference and
meeting rooms.
Senior Health and Peer Counseling Center and WISE Senior Services
became the first occupants of the new facility in mid-1990.
These long-term tenants cover 100% of the operating costs
associated with their area of the building as well as a prorated
share of common area costs. The City's Senior Nutrition Program
began operation from the Center early in January of 1991 and the
additional meeting space was ready for use by March of 1991.
Since March, human service organizations have eagerly utilized
the meeting space to conduct meetings and special events. The
ground level has served approximately 15,000 users in a nine
month period. Occupancy levels have steadily increased
throughout the year and are moving toward the goal of 80%
occupancy.
After sufficient evaluation, research, and implementation of an
interim fee policy for the first part of this fiscal year (that
was consistent with the fee schedule for Cultural and Recreation
Services (CARS) facilities), City staff is recommending a
permanent structure for user fees associated with use of the
ground level of the Ken Edwards Center. The accompanying
resolution details the proposed fee schedule.
Section 1 of the resolution describes instances in which fees
will be charged. City human service grantees which are funded
directly by the City of Santa Monica will receive 300 meeting
hours each fiscal year free of charge as a part of the City's
support program to local non-profit organizations that provide
proven, effective services to the community. When City grantees
exceed the annual hourly cap, the non-profit fee schedule will
take effect. City Departments, Divisions, Boards, or Commissions
will not be charged a fee. Varying fees will be charged to other
organizations depending on their status - private, non-profit, or
non-profit senior services. Non-profit human service
organizations serving Santa Monica residents and that are not
funded by the City will be charged a non-profit fee. Private
groups which convene meetings (that are free and open to the
public) and that address human service issues affecting Santa
Monica residents will be charged a private fee. Senior service
non-profit organizations not funded by the City will be offered a
25% discount on the non-profit rate when utilizing the Senior
Nutrition Program Room. Use of the facility by any organization
which requires building coverage or maintenance beyond that
normally provided or use which results in damage to the facility
will result in an additional fee equivalent to the cost incurred.
Section 2 of the resolution defines the actual fees to be charged
to each user group. The fees vary according to user group and
room size. The non-profit fee schedule was designed to be
consistent with the Cultural and Recreation Services Department
fee schedule, although variations in the facility size, quality
and level of amenities make it difficult to charge identical
fees. City staff is proposing a fee schedule for private use
based on input from the Convention and Visitors' Bureau.
FISCAL/BUDGETARY IMPACT
The fees established by this resolution are designed to partially
cover the operating cost of the facility's ground level. City
staff projects that approximately $5,000 in fees will be earned
annually. Current year's projections are also estimated to be
$5,000, including those fees collected in the interim period
consistent with the Council-approved CARS fee schedule. Fees
collected are deposited to revenue account
01-200-263-00000-0476-10000.
RECOMMENDATIONS
City staff recommends that the City Council: (1) approve the
accompanying resolution setting rental fees for the use of the
ground level of the Ken Edwards Center for Community Services
operated by the Community Development Department of the City of
Santa Monica, and (2) increase the revenue budget for FY 1991-92
by $5,000 for account 01-200-263-00000-0476-10000.
Prepared by: Barbara Stinchfield, Acting Community Development
Director
Department of Community Development
Attachment