PRESENTER: Presenter
Jordan Matney, Deputy City Manager
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SUBJECT: Title
Discuss and consider the second and final reading of an ordinance to amend New Braunfels Code of Ordinances, Chapter 86, Article IV, Section 86-94 by adopting updated admission fees at the New Braunfels Landa Park Aquatic Center and adding all related fees to Appendix D, updating and codifying fees related to Camp Minnehaha and Fischer Park in Appendix D, and amending ordinance 2020-82 to update the scope of fees related to Das Rec and adding that language to Appendix D.
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DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City of New Braunfels Parks and Recreation Department operates a variety of programs and facilities that enhance the community’s quality of life, including Camp Minnehaha, the Landa Park Aquatic Center (LPAC), and Das Rec.
Camp Minnehaha and Fischer Park Nature Camp are full-day summer programs for children ages 5–12, offering a wide range of daily activities such as arts and crafts, sports and games, and more. The demand for these programs is at capacity, usually selling out within minutes of registration opening for the summer. In comparison to other similar programs, the current fee is well below industry standards. To more closely align to the industry standard and achieve the same level of cost recovery for these programs, it is recommended to increase the weekly registration fee incrementally over the next three years. That information is detailed later within this report.
LPAC provides recreational and lap swimming opportunities for residents and visitors of all ages and serves as a vital part of the city's recreational offerings. As the detail later in the report shows, there are currently 10 different categories for daily admission. It is suggested that these tiers be consolidated down to one simple weekday and weekend admission fee. The only exception would be to still offer a discount for military personnel. This consolidation of fees will result in quicker admission and simplified signage upon entering the facility.
Das Rec is the city-managed gym and recreational facility that fosters community well-being through various fitness programs and events. When the City implemented a credit card convenience fee in 2020, Das Rec memberships were exempted from the fee. However, this has created several operational inefficiencies, such as having to operate two separate terminals, given that all other Das Rec programming and rental fees are not exempt from the fee. In addition, the Das Rec operating budget is now absorbing approximately $90,000 in merchant service fees as a result of the exemption. It is recommended to remove that exemption. It should be noted that members will have the option to utilize ACH for their membership fees, avoiding the convenience fee altogether.
The Resident rate for a family season pass at LPAC included a typo when this item was first presented on 8/25/25. The total has been corrected for the second reading. Please note that this fee is not being proposed to be changed; it is simply being consolidated to appendix D.
The additional fees referenced in this agenda report do not represent changes, simply consolidating the information to appendix D for consistency.
The proposed fee modifications are as follows:
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APPENDIX D FEE SCHEDULE
Sec. A. Schedule of Fees.
The following scheduled fees shall be paid by patrons of the Landa Park swimming pools within the city. For the purposes of this section, the term "resident" applies to persons who reside within the city limits, and the term "nonresident" refers to all other persons. The terms "resident" and "nonresident" only apply to the schedule of fees for season swim passes. The term "military" applies to military personnel and veterans.
Active and retired military members receive a $1 discount on admission fees.
A swim team upgrade allows a swim team member to use the swim team pass for entry into the Landa Park Aquatic Complex the same as a season swim pass.
(a) All swimming pool fees shall be payable in advance before service or ticket is rendered.
(b) Season swimming passes will entitle the bearer only to the right to swim during regularly scheduled pool hours during the operating season in the same year the pass was purchased.
(c) Daily swimming tickets will be valid only on the day the bearer purchased such ticket.
(d) All holders of a resident season swimming ticket shall be entitled to entry into the Prince Solms Park tube chute at no additional charge during the term of the season swim pass. This privilege does not extend to holders of nonresident season swimming tickets.
(Code 1961, § 14A-12; Ord. No. 95-44, § I, 11-27-95; Ord. No. 99-4, § I, 1-11-99; Ord. No. 2003-51, § I(7.), 8-11-03; Ord. No. 2004-48, § I, 6-28-04; Ord. No. 2013-63, § II, 10-28-13; Ord. No. 2018-16, § 1, 2-26-18; Ord. No. 2019-79, § 2, 11-11-19; Ord. No. 2022-21, § 2, 4-25-22)
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APPENDIX D FEE SCHEDULE
Sec. A. Schedule of Fees.
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APPENDIX D FEE SCHEDULE
Sec. A. Schedule of Fees.
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ISSUE:
Update of Camp Minnehaha and Fischer Park Nature Camp fee schedule, admission fees to Landa Park Aquatic Center, and Das Rec credit card processing fees, and move all related fees to Appendix D.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
Strategic Priority: Organizational Excellence
Objective: Considering statutory and market-based factors, continue to diversify revenue streams to support the long-term fiscal sustainability of the organization.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Any projected revenue related to these fee modifications will be incorporated into future budgets starting in FY 2027.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance change.