AGENDA ITEM
TO:
HONORABLE CHAIR
AND MEMBERS OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
FROM:
YVETTE E. AGUILAR
PARKS, RECREATION AND LIBRARY SERVICES DIRECTOR
BY: MARTHA BAEZ
SENIOR RECREATION SPECIALIST
SUBJECT:
title
FEE WAIVER REQUEST FOR SIGNAL HILL HISTORICAL SOCIETY BOARD MEETINGS IN 2025 AND JANUARY 2026
summary
Summary:
The Signal Hill Historical Society (SHHS), a Signal Hill based non-profit organization, submitted a fee waiver request for the use of the Signal Hill Public Library Learning Center (Learning Center) on the second Thursday of the month in 2025 and January 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Strategic Plan Goal(s):
Goal No. 5 High-Functioning Government: Strengthen internal communication, recruitment, retention, systems, and processes to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of City services.
recommendation
Recommendation:
Approve the SHHS request for a waiver of fees to the Learning Center on one Thursday a month in 2025 and one day in January 2026 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
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Fiscal Impact:
The request totals $2,108.00 for the waiver of facility use.
Background:
Staff received a request from SHHS to hold their 2025 board meetings in the Signal Hill Public Library Learning Center on the second Thursday of each month and one day in January 2026, based on the facility availability, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Attachment A).
SHHS is a non-profit organization located in Signal Hill whose purpose and mission is to serve the residents of Signal Hill, preserve the history of the City, and educate residents about the past.
Staff recommend fees be waived for the SHHS meeting on the second Thursday of each month in the 2025 calendar year on January 9; February 13; March 13; April 10; May 8; June 12; July 10; August 14; September 11; October 9; November 13; December 11, 2025; and January 8, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The date and time of the proposed meeting is scheduled within the library’s operating hours, which would not require additional staffing to be scheduled. Additionally, the Learning Center remains set-up with tables and chairs for meetings or general programs.
If a schedule conflict arises, staff will work with the SHHS to reschedule their meeting, but it will not impact or change the total of the fee waiver.
Analysis:
The dates and times of the proposed board meetings are scheduled in accordance with the Signal Hill Public Library’s regular operating hours, which would not require additional staffing support. Additionally, the Learning Center set-up of tables and chairs for the City’s general programs remains the same for the proposed SHHS meetings and will not require additional staff for setup.
City of Signal Hill Policy 4.16 - Waiver of Fees for City Facilities (Waiver Policy), provides for a waiver process regarding facility fees (Attachment B). The Waiver Policy governing fee waivers allows for the Parks and Recreation Commission to waive fees based on the following general use requirements:
a) The applicant must be a Signal Hill resident. Applicant must provide proof of residency.
b) The individual or organization must have nonprofit status with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Applicant must provide proof of non-profit status issued by the IRS.
c) The organization’s primary focus must be on serving the residents of Signal Hill. The organization must provide proof of such service by way of programs, services, or activities offered to the community.
d) The organization’s voting board must be comprised of at least 51% Signal Hill residents.
Approved:
_________________________
Yvette E. Aguilar
Attachments:
A. Application and Letter
B. Waiver of Fees Policy