HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8404 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8404
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council Date: May 14, 2002
r a
SUBJECT: Proposed Fee Adjustments for Fort Worth Botanic Garden
Tara
The City of Fort Worth has a contract with the Fort Worth Botanical Society (FWBS) and the Fort Worth Garden
Club (FWGC) for the management of the Japanese Garden and Botanic Garden Center respectively. As part
of the contractual agreement, fees are established and charged for usage of those facilities. Staff has worked
with representatives from both support groups in researching similar facilities and their fees, reviewing market
rates, and developing proposed fee adjustments for rental rates at the Botanic Garden Center, rental rates for
the Japanese Garden Pavilion and entrance fees for the Japanese Garden. This report provides an overview
of the proposed fee adjustments.
1. Increase in Rental Rates for the Fort Worth Botanic Garden Center
A market survey reviewing rental rates at similar facilities and charges for weddings revealed that the
Center is below market levels for these charges (see Attachment A). Room rental fees and approximately
50% of fees collected for weddings are deposited into an escrow account managed by the FWGC in
compliance with the existing contract. The FWGC in turn funds four full time positions and underwrites
numerous other expenses and improvements at the Garden. The FWGC is currently operating at a slight
deficit in funding these items. It is proposed that the room rental rates and rates for weddings be increased
as indicated on Attachment B.
00 r, _. Increase in Rental Rates for Japanese Garden Pavilion
The Fort Worth Botanical Society (FWBS) currently rents the Pavilion, Moon Viewing Deck and Pavilion
Kitchen of the Japanese Garden for weddings and special events. The revenues generated are used to
fund two full time positions in the Japanese Garden and for refurbishing and improving Garden facilities.
The FWBS has recently improved the sound and light systems, and are funding construction of restrooms
and a bride's room in the Pavilion area that will be completed this summer. It is proposed that rental rates
for the Japanese Garden Pavilion be increased as indicated on Attachment B.
3. Increase in Admission Fees for Japanese Garden
Admission fees for the Japanese Garden have not increased since 1992. Due to the expenses incurred by
the FWBS in refurbishing and improving the Japanese Garden, it is proposed that the admission fees to the
Japanese Garden be increased as indicated on Attachment B.
Both support groups recommend that these fee adjustments be implemented effective June 1, 2002. Staff
concurs with this recommendation. On April 16, 2002, the Parks and Community Services Advisory Board
endorsed this recommendation.
Unless directed otherwise, staff will prepare an M&C for City Council's approval. For additional information,
please contact Joe Paniagua, Assistant City Manager at (817) 871-6140 or Richard Zavala, Parks and
Commu ity S s Dir ctor at 817-871-5704.
`;ar W. cks
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
Attachment A
PROPOSED FEE ADJUSTMENTS FOR
FORT WORTH BOTANIC GARDEN
CURRENT FEE PROPOSED FEE
Weddings in Garden $150 $250
Bride's Room 25 50
Lecture Hall — non-profit 250 275
Lecture Hall — individual 400 450
Lecture Hall — commercial 750 800
Small Meeting Room — non-profit 50 65
Small Meeting Room — individual 100 125
Small Meeting Room — commercial 150 175
Large Meeting Room — non-profit 200 250
Large Meeting Room — individual 400 400
Large Meeting Room — commercial 600 600
Japanese Garden Pavilion — up to 250 guests* 1500 1750
With Moon Viewing Deck* N/A 2500
Japanese Garden Pavilion — 251 to 500 guests* 2000 2500
With Moon Viewing Deck* N/A 3000
Moon Viewing Deck only N/A 1000
Pavilion Kitchen
Caterer Registration Fee 10 10
Deposit 100 100
Usage Fee (% of food charges) 10% 10%
Japanese Garden Ticket—Week Day —Adult $2.00 $3.00
Japanese Garden Ticket—Week Day— Senior Citizen $1.50 $2.50
Japanese Garden Ticket —Week Day— Child $1.00 $2.00
Japanese Garden Ticket—Week End — Adult $2.50 $3.50
Japanese Garden Ticket—Week End — Senior Citizen $2.00 $3.00
Japanese Garden Ticket —Week End — Child $1.00 $2.00
* The following items are included in these fees: one Botanic Garden Staff, one police
office, sound system to be used for speaking and plugging in a CID player for playing
or, Soft music on the Pavilion (not to be used by DJ's with amplified music), and Bride's
room when completed.
Attachment A
WEDDING RATE COMPARISONS BETWEEN BOTANIC GARDEN AND
OTHER FACILITIES
�= OTHER FACILITIES
COST FOR BOTANIC JAPANESE
WEDDING GARDEN GARDEN
Chapel of the Bells $800/2 hrs. $150/2 hrs. $1,500/6 hrs.
Country Garden $1,475/4 hrs. $150/2 hrs. $1,500/6 hrs.
Dallas Arboretum $750-$4,500*/day $150/2 hrs. $1,500/6 hrs.
McFarland House $750-$1,000/day $150/2 hrs. $1,500/6 hrs.
Northeast Wedding $2,500/day $150/2 hrs. $1,500/6 hrs.
Chapel
Renaissance $1,000-2,000/day $150/2 hrs $1,500/6 hrs.
Worthington
Thistle Hill House $1,300/day $150/2 hrs. $1,500/6 hrs.
YWCA $1,600/day $150/2 hrs. $1,500/6 hrs.
*Depends on number of guests and location
ROOM RENTAL RATE COMPARISONS BETWEEN BOTANIC GARDEN
AND OTHER FACILITIES
OTHER FACILITIES COST OF BOTANIC GARDEN
ROOM Non-Profit Individual Commercial
Scott 'rheater# $1025/day $250/4hrs. $400/41-irs. $75014 hrs.
Auditorium
FW Museum of Science
and History# $2000/day $250/4hrs. $400/4 hrs. $750/4 hrs.
Auditorium
Arlington Community
Center $150/4 hrs. $50/4hrs. $100/4hrs. $150/4 hrs.
Small Mtg. Rm.
FW Community Centers
(PACS) $100/4 hrs. $50/4hrs. $100/4hrs. $150/4 hrs.
Small Mtg. Rm.
WRMC#
Small Mtg. Rm. $400/day $50/4 hrs. $100/4 hrs. $150/4 hrs.
Large Mtg. Rm. $550/day $200/4 hrs. $400/4 hrs. $600/4 hrs.
FW Convention Center#* $200/day $50/4 hrs. $100/4 hrs. $150/4 hrs.
Small Mtg. Rm. $200/day $200/4 hrs. $400/4 hrs. $600/4 hrs.
Large Mt q. Rm.
#Rent only by the day
*Rooms rented as part of package with Exhibition Hall