7.2. SR 11-20-2006
City of Elk River
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Agenda Section Meeting Date
Administration November 20,2006
Item Description
Discuss YMCA Membershi Rates for Elk River Residents
Item Number
7.2.
Prepared by
Lori ohnson, Ci Administrator
Reviewed by
Introduction
At the November 6 worksession, the City Council discussed in detail the draft Memorandum of
Understanding (MOD) between the YMCA and city, including the benefits Elk River residents would
receive for funding part of the building to be leased to the YMCA. The Council provided input and
direction to staff on most sections of the MOU but deferred providing direction on membership benefits
for Elk River residents. The Council requested that YMCA representatives come to a future meeting to
discuss membership rates for Elk River residents.
Discussion
During the initial phases of discussion of the MOU by YMCA representatives and city staff, attorneys,
and Council representatives before the Council authorized placing the YMCA financing question on the
ballot, membership rates were discussed. Discussions ranged from having special Elk River resident rates
to charging a premium rate for non-residents. The city's original request was for resident membership
rate reductions of between ten dollars per month up to twenty percent off the monthly membership fee.
Another option presented was increasing rates for non-residents to offset lower rates for Elk River
residents. The YMCA stated it could not provide special membership rates but would waive the joiner's
fee and provide guest passes to residents. The YMCA's proposal is the language that was included in the
MOU presented to the Council on July 17 before the question was placed on the ballot. The
information provided to the public before the election was exacdy as oudined in the draft MOU
presented on July 17.
The language included in the current draft MOU is as follows:
G. The YMCA will use memberships that entide members to services as a part of the
membership fee and access to additional programs on a fee basis. The YMCA will
offer a package of services and programs similar to other suburban YMCAs. The
YMCA will also provide Elk River residents benefits such as a one-time waiver of
the membership joining fee, periodic family events at a nominal cost and four guest
passes per household per year.
The city wants the YMCA to be successful and to cover its expenses. Both the YMCA and city
understand that community support is vital to the success of the YMCA and that success hinges on
memberships. Memberships and annual contributions from Elk River residents playa significant role in
the success of the YMCA. The city and YMCA need to work together to encourage memberships so that
the Elk River Community YMCA flourishes.
S:\Council\Lori\2006\ YMCA Membership 112006.doc
Staff has done a limited amount of research and found that some YMCA's do offer special rates or
different rates at branch YMCA's within a greater metropolitan YMCA association. In one case, a
YMCA offered free nights to residents of the city that partnered with the YMCA. It seems to depend
upon the individual circumstances of what the city has contributed to the YMCA, the city's
demographics, the proximity of other YMCA's, and other factors. Staff feels that offering a special rate
for Elk River residents would encourage residents to join the YMCA. If special rates are not agreeable to
the YMCA, additional use of the gymnasium or setting aside times that residents could use all or parts of
the facility free of charge for example may be options to provide a greater benefit to Elk River residents
who will be paying for much of the building cost.
Representatives from the YMCA will be present at the meeting to discuss this issue with the Council.
Financial Impact
None
Attachments
None
Action Reauested
This is a discussion item. Council direction on Elk River resident membership rates is requested so the
Council's requests are included in the draft MOD, which will be presented to the EDA and City Council
for approval at a future date.
Council Action
Motion by _
Second by _
Vote
Follow Up
s: \ Council\Lori\2006\ YMCA Membership 112006.doc