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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-01-15 I01F Play it Forward ProgramAGENDA ITEM: CITY OF WAUKEE, IOWA CITY COUNCIL MEETING COMMUNICATION MEETING DATE: January 15, 2024 AGENDA ITEM:Consideration of approval of a resolution approving the Parks & Recreation Play it Forward Program FORMAT:Consent Agenda SYNOPSIS INCLUDING PRO & CON: Staff is proposing the establishment of a recreation scholarship program to increase the financial accessibility of our recreation programming for qualifying Waukee youth. Staff has researched other Parks & Recreation departments across Iowa and found that many similarly sized departments already offer financial aid programs, including several in the Des Moines Metro area. Staff has also researched the percentage of free and reduced lunch participants in the Waukee Community School District and determined that many community members would benefit from the financial easement of a recreation scholarship program. FISCAL IMPACT INCLUDING COST/BENEFIT ANALYSIS: Recreation Budget will discount qualified patrons for included programming 50% off registration for up to 2 programs per year. COMMISSION/BOARD/COMMITTEE COMMENT: Recreation Coordinator, Laura Stanish presented at the January 8, 2024 Council work session. STAFF REVIEW AND COMMENT: City staff recommends approval of the Play it Forward Program RECOMMENDATION: Approve the resolution ATTACHMENTS: I. Play it Forward Program Description PREPARED BY:Josh VandeKamp REVIEWED BY:Matt Jermier PUBLIC NOTICE INFORMATION – NAME OF PUBLICATION: DATE OF PUBLICATION: I1F THE CITY OF WAUKEE, IOWA RESOLUTION 2024- APPROVING PARKS & RECREATION PLAY IT FORWARD PROGRAM IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF WAUKEE, IOWA WHEREAS, the City of Waukee, Dallas County, State of Iowa, is a duly organized Municipal Organization; AND, WHEREAS, Waukee Parks & Recreation Department staff believe that many Waukee community members would benefit from financial assistance to participate in City of Waukee recreation programming; AND, WHEREAS, staff propose the establishment of a scholarship program to increase the financial accessibility to recreation programming for qualifying Waukee youth; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Waukee that the Parks & Recreation Play It Forward Program is hereby approved. Passed by the City Council of the City of Waukee, Iowa, and approved the 15th day of January, 2024. ____________________________ Courtney Clarke, Mayor Attest: ___________________________________ Rebecca D. Schuett, City Clerk RESULTS OF VOTE: AYE NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN R. Charles Bottenberg Chris Crone Rob Grove Anna Bergman Pierce Ben Sinclair “Play it Forward” Financial Assistance Program Proposal Objective 1.To give youth from local families the financial accessibility to participate in recreation programs Application Process 1.Complete an online application and provide proof of free or reduced lunch enrollment or enrollment in a similar financial assistance program 2.Staff will review the application and materials and notify the applicant of approval or refusal 3.Approved participants will receive a 50% discount on a maximum of two recreation programs per calendar year 4.Participants will be eligible to reapply each calendar year Criteria 1.Must be a resident of Waukee 2.Must be 18 years old or younger 3.Must be a recipient of free or reduced lunch or another similar financial assistance program Scholarship Exclusions 1.Contracted programs 2.Facility rentals 3.Group fee team sports (all adult leagues) 4.Dog park pass