Miller Riverview Campground Operations and Fee Recommendations Copyright 2014
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 11.
ITEM TITLE: Miller Riverview Campground Operations and Fee
Recommendations
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending approval of changes to the
Miller Riverview Campground operations related to both
management and fees.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Approve
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Miller Riverview Campground Operations and Fees City Manager Memo
Recommendation-MVM Memo
Staff Memo Miller Riverview Campground Operations Staff Memo
and Fee Recommendations
THE CITY OF Dubuque
DUB E i"
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2007.2012.2013
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Miller Riverview Campground Operations and Fees Recommendation
DATE: February 15, 2017
As part of the Park Division Review completed in January 2016, it was decided to
investigate the options for contracting of the campground management at Miller
Riverview Park and Campground. Additionally, it was time to consider increasing
camping fees as they have not been increased since 2004.
Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware recommends City Council approval of changes
to the Miller Riverview Campground operations related to both management and fees
as follows:
1. Management: The campground manager would receive $1 per night for every
site reserved, with a guaranteed minimum of $5,800 over the course of the
camping season. Upon City Council approval, recruitment will begin immediately
for a new manager for the 2017 season.
2. Fees: Increase of $3 per night for both electric and non-electric sites, making the
fees $18 per night for electric sites and $15 per night for nonelectric sites. Upon
City Council approval, the fees would take effect immediately.
This will create an estimated additional $29,619 in General Fund resources for the
Fiscal Year 2018 budget that is not now included in the budget recommendation. I will
submit an amended recommendation prior to the March 7, 2017 budget public hearing.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Marie L. Ware, Leisure Services Manager
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THE CITY OF Dubuque
UBgkE 1111114medca .i
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2007-2012-2013
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Marie L. Ware, Leisure Services Manager
SUBJECT: Miller Riverview Campground Operations and Fees Recommendation
DATE: February 15, 2017
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to make recommendations for the Miller Riverview
Campground operations related to both management and fees.
BACKGROUND
As a part of the Park Division review completed in January 2016, it was recommended
for the FY18 budget year to investigate the contracting of the campground management
at Miller Riverview Park and Campground. Additionally, it is time to consider increasing
camping fees as they have not been increased since 2004.
DISCUSSION
CAMPGROUND MANAGEMENT
Current Management Structure
There has been an annual contract for campground management services at Miller
Riverview Campground. The 2016 contracted campground managers have decided to
not return for the 2017 camping season. The couple had been the managers for the
last nine seasons. The campground normal operating season is from April 15th through
the last Sunday in October.
The campground manager has been responsible for checking in campers, taking
reservations, monitoring the campground and cleaning the restrooms twice a day. The
campground manager historically has been paid $4/night for every site reserved.
Benefits have also included free camping, electricity, propane, and the use of a city
utility vehicle and fuel. A City laptop was provided for the manager to input reservations
and print reports. A City cell phone was also provided to answer questions and take
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reservations over the phone. The position has been a contracted position with the
managers providing insurance.
An online campground reservation system was implemented for the 2015 season to
allow for reservations up to eight months in advance. This means you can reserve a
campsite 24 hours a day. This has increased our customer service and availability to
the camping public.
The online reservation system has proven successful and continues to get more and
more use. The reservation system has decreased the money handling responsibilities of
the campground manager. Many local residents and other campers that come to Miller
Riverview still prefer to reserve their sites through the campground manager and pay
cash. Although cash handling has decreased, it still accounted for 26% of the revenue
for the 2016 season.
PAYMENTS TO CAMPGROUND MANAGERS — Calendar Years 2014-2016
Calendar Year Amount Paid to Managers
Aug-Oct 2014 $10,156.00
April-Oct 2015 $24,808.00
May-Sept 2016 $19,804.00
Total $54,768.00
Average $18,256.00
Flooding does play an important factor in the process. In 2013 and 2014 the
campground did not open until the end of July which was over half of the camping
season. During that time the contract campground manager was available but not
earning any money as shown in the chart above.
The change to an unpaid campground manager could increase revenue by $18,000 per
year based on the average of the last 3 years of what was paid to the contract
campground manager.
Management Structure Research
Staff has investigated how other state, county and local private campgrounds manage
their facilities.
• The State of Iowa DNR campgrounds offer free camping to the manager and no
additional payment is given. These hosts (managers) typically work Memorial
Day through Labor Day. The campground managers clean the restroom/shower
facilities two times a day and answer questions from the campers. Some may
also mow grass depending on the location.
• Dubuque County Conservation campgrounds have full-time Park Ranger staff
that live on-site and oversee the campgrounds.
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• Most other local campgrounds are privately owned and use a variety of methods
to manage their campgrounds. Most owners are also the operators and
managers. However, at Jellystone Park in Monticello, the owners have a
manager that just receives a free campsite, electricity and a golf cart.
Campground Operational Costs
• Electricity, propane, and janitorial supply costs related to the campground are
paid from the Park Division budget. Monthly internet, cell phone costs,
maintenance and fuel for the utility vehicle are also paid from the division budget.
• Park Division staff also perform many of the maintenance tasks related to the
campground. These include things such as daily trash collection, weekly grass
mowing, cleaning fire rings and moving tables as needed.
• Flooding has costs related to cleanup and lost revenue. Removal and
replacement of the electrical pedestals averages $5,000 an event. If additional
rock is needed for the campsites, costs have ranged from $7,000- $10,000 an
event. Playground mulch can cost an additional $500 - $700. Park staff and
equipment is used to remove debris (logs and limbs) and silt from campsites,
roadways and trails. Typically, this is a two-week process per event taking a
varying amount of park division staff time depending upon the flood.
Future Management Structure Options and Recommendation
There were three potential options for the future campground management services
studied. These are based on the above research as well as brainstorming additional
options. All three scenarios would include a free campsite, electricity, propane, City
laptop and cell phone, and use of City utility vehicle.
Option A - Continue with previous contract where campground manager receives
Knight for every site reserved. The past three-year average is around $18,000.
Option B - Campground manager receives $1/night for every site reserved. However,
the campground manager is guaranteed a minimum of a $5800 payment over the
course of the camping season. For example, if the campground closes early due to
flooding and the campground manager has only made $5,000 to date, the City would
pay the manager an additional $800 for the season to meet the $5,800 minimum. If the
campground has a very successful year with that results in over 5800 sites reserved the
manager would receive an additional $1 per each site reserved after 5800. This is
incentive based.
Option C- Campground manager receives no monetary compensation.
Staff is recommending Option B. This option will allow for the campground manager to
fulfill their duties as assigned per the contract. A monetary stipend and contract
provides that expectations and duties are known, followed and met. It also provides for
a level of quality control due to it being a contract that can outline quality standards for
cleaning the restrooms versus a volunteer position. The cleanliness of restrooms and
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showers is very important to campground users as well as visitors that come to Miller
Riverview. This recommendation would decrease the expenditure of the contract
services line item in the budget. Because our past campground managers retired at the
end of last season, I would like to implement this option starting this spring, thus action
on this recommendation is needed.
CAMPGROUNDFEES
Current Miller Riverview Campground Fees
The current fees are:
Electric site $15/night
Non-electric site $12/night
Staff investigated the last time fees were changed. The rates went up in second half of
fiscal year 2004:
July 1 - October 2003: campers $10 tents $8 electric $3 (per night)
May & June 2004: campers $12 tents $10 electric $3 (per night)
In the spring of 2015 the electric was combined into the cost of the site. That resulted in
fees being standardized as electric or non-electric sites. They are no longer delineated
as campers and tents.
The campground currently has 34 20/30 amp sites and 63 20/30/50 amp sites. It also
has 10 designated non-electric sites. The fees are the same for online or in person. In
person could mean the same day arrival or a reservation in advance through the
campground manager. At Miller Riverview campground, 91% of the total sites can be
reserved online.
Campground Fee Research
Staff also researched camping fees at the State, County and local level.
The State of Iowa DNR is the most closely matched for fees. State parks charge
$16/night for an electric site and $11/night for a non-electric site fee. However,
additional nonrefundable fees include an online reservation fee of$4 and a call center
reservation fee of$6. In most state parks 50-75% of the total sites can be reserved
online or through the call center. The remaining percentage would be a first come first
serve basis upon their arrival to the campground.
Dubuque County Conservation campgrounds charge:
In person Online
$12: non-electric per night $18: non-electric per night
$17: w/30-amp electric per night $23: w/30-amp electric per night
$18: w/50-amp electric per night $24: w/50-amp electric per night
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In most Dubuque County campgrounds 30-35% of the total sites can be reserved
online. The remaining percentage would be a first come first serve basis upon their
arrival to the campground. Their campground also has asphalted sites. Other local
privately owned campground fees range from $20 - $48/night for an electric site and up
to $28/night for non-electric sites. There are very few campgrounds that are right on the
Mississippi River.
Campground Fee Increase Recommendation
Staff is recommending a fee increase of$3/night for both electric and non-electric sites.
That would raise the fees to:
Electric site $18/night
Non-electric site $15/night
The City does not currently charge a reservation fee or courtesy fee for the online or in
person transaction now. Most other organizations do incorporate some type of fee as
shown above.
The $3/night increase in fees would potentially increase revenue by $14,000 depending
upon the camping season and whether there was flooding or not during that year.
Reservations have begun for the 2017 camping season already so the budget impact
would not fully happen until the 2018 camping season. Reservations can be made 8
months in advance. There would be a positive revenue impact as soon as the fee is
implemented.
I would recommend that the fees increase with council action in the coming month prior
to the campground opening. Those campers that have reserved sites already would be
under the current fee and the new fee would take affect with City Council action.
BUDGETIMPACT
There is an impact to the FY18 proposed budget related to expenditures and revenue.
These numbers are estimates as sites can currently be reserved on line up to eight
months in advance and the full effect of the fee increase would not be reflected until the
FY19 budget.
Management Structure
The expenditure line item (10030400 62738) would decrease from $28,119 to $6,500 in
FY 18.
Campground Fees
The revenue line item (10030400 43243) would increase from $67,218 to $75,218
based on estimations and projections in FY 18.
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RECOMMENDATION
Management Structure
I respectfully recommend Option B for the campground management services based on
the information provided above. The campground manager would receive $1/night for
every site reserved. The campground manager would be guaranteed a minimum of a
$5800 payment over the course of the camping season. I recommend the management
option take affect with the approval so we may begin recruitment of a new manager for
the 2017 season.
Campground Fees
I respectfully recommend an increase of$3/night for both electric and non-electric sites
based on the information above. This would set the fees at $18/night for electric sites
and $15/night for nonelectric sites. I recommend the fee increase take affect with City
Council action so it can be implemented after their action.
The Parks and Recreation Commission unanimously recommended the above
recommendations at their February 14h, 2017 meeting.
Data provided by Steve Fehsal, Park Division Manager and Ben Alden, Facilities
Supervisor
cc: Jenny Larson, Budget Director
Alexis Steger. Senior Budget Analyst
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