Committee approves revised park rental application with standardized deposit and new insurance requirement

A staff member presented a redesigned park rental application and recommended a set of policy changes, which the Parks Committee approved on a motion.

The presenter said the new form puts informational material before the application and lists costs directly so applicants see fees before filling the form. "The big changes is that we are requesting to get a certificate of liability insurance for all groups that have attendants 50 [or more] if they have the sale or use of fermented malt beverages, if they're using a temporary structure like a bouncy house," the staff member said. The staff member also told the committee she had standardized the security deposit to $100 across the board to simplify enforcement: "I did change that security deposit to be a $100 across the board."

Committee members asked for clarity around what a "pavilion only" reservation includes. One member noted confusion this season when pavilion renters expected restroom access and even called the fire department to open facilities. The presenter recommended an "all-or-nothing" approach so a reservation either includes the whole park (restrooms and concession areas) or is limited to public park areas with no pavilion privileges.

Members also discussed alcohol permitting and enforcement language. A committee member asked whether to use "fermented malt beverages" or the broader term "alcohol." Staff explained the fermented malt permit refers to beer and wine-cooler sales and that sale and consumption are handled by distinct permits. "When you get that permit, that's essentially what it is for," the committee member said of the fermented malt beverage permit. Several members expressed concern about enforcement if people set up informal bars at events; staff said the revised form and the insurance requirement create clearer grounds to act if permit conditions are violated.

On a motion that included a condition keeping current rental fees in place now and returning later with data to support fee increases, the committee voted in favor and the motion carried. The committee asked staff to provide rental-usage data before future fee adjustments.