[Mpls] Athletic Field Fees in the parks

[Annie Young]

Park users - especially teams.
Tonight we had someone come in and speak during Open Time about fees 
charged to non-park athletic teams.  These fees have been public knowledge 
all throughout our 2005 budgeting system and setting the fee structure for 
this season.  We work collaboratively with several organizations who are 
part of League teams around the metro region and have certainly 
communicated with them about the fee changes and hope they have told their 
member teams.

I apologize to those who didn't know about it for some reason. I assure you 
that our staff has worked hard to communicate the changes in fees. 
Unfortunately, no one likes fees (me included)  but it is a part of the 
process for operating and maintaining the Minneapolis Park system.  As hard 
as we try we cannot communicate to everyone who uses our parks and to those 
who might or might not want to use a MPRB facility.  The fee structure 
gives you exclusive reserved space in the park.

Please note that the fee covers about 20% of our cost.

Annie Young
citywide Park Commissioner