Camp Mather

Information taken from the Comprehensive Budget Balancing Ideas document from 10-03, available online HERE

Notes in italic are the notes from SFR+P

Close Camp Mather Not Feasible

Contract out Camp Mather and the Day Camps Research in Future

Keep Camp Mather open all year Presently Exploring

Lease out Camp Mather, get it off R+P staffing budget Presently Exploring

Leasing out non-core facilities and programs, to include Camp Mather, stables, golf courses, Candlestick Research in Future

Privatize or just raise fees at Camp Mather and provide scholarships

Presently exploring

(Fees were raised 25% for the 2004 season - is there a timeline on privatization?)

Use cashiers to collect revenues from other areas in R&P – summer camps, Tiny Tots

registration, latchkey, Camp Mather registration, summer outings, events at Kezar, teen programs, swimming pools’ fees, and Red Cross swim lessons registration. Also, to input attendance data and to assist with public relations

Presently exploring; No/Low Budget savings

This proposition was voted down by Budget and Finance Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors 6/30/2005

Oridinance 051143

[Proposition J Contract/Camp Mather Operations for Recreation and Parks Department/Fiscal Emergency]

Resolution concurring with the Controller's certification that Camp Mather Operations for Recreation and Parks Department can be performed by private contractor for a lower cost than similar work performed by City and County employees. Mayor presented. RECEIVED AND ASSIGNED to Budget and Finance Committee. The Mayor requests this item be heard before the Budget & Finance Committee in the process of the Board's consideration of the Mayor's proposed budget for FY 2005-06.

Recreation & Park Department's Audit Priorities (pdf), SFR+P home page,

under Public Notices open the link to the 32 page PDF report. Note page 21:

7.2

Assess the Camp Mather facilities to identify the need for capital repairs or replacement, estimate costs, and set priorities and schedules for repair and replacement.

12 month Priority

Category B – Agree, Starting Implementation

K Petrucione, CFO, SFR+P with SF Parks Trust

Finalize plan department has been working on with S.F. Parks Trust. (what plan???)

7.3

Report to the Board of Supervisors during FY 2006-2007 on Camp Mather's operating and

capital costs, the impact on fees, and the options for maintaining Camp Mather.

12 month Priority

Category B – Agree, Starting Implementation

K Petrucione, CFO, SFR+P

Once capital plan is complete and the Board of Supervisors has scheduled a hearing, department will make presentation.

Capital Improvement Division, 2005 Annual Report, SFR+P home page,

under Public Notices open the link to the 353 page PDF report. Note pages 178-180

(or 117-119 if going by numbers typed at the foot of each page)

EXERPTS:

The Recreation and Park Department faces significant capital costs for Camp Mather without a funding source to cover such costs. The Department has identified both critical infrastructure needs and facility improvements but has not conducted a formal facility assessment to determine potential costs. The rough estimate for the infrastructure repairs and capital improvements is approximately $20 million, of which $5 million is the cost of installing a new sewage system. Although the Recreation and Park Department could potentially issue revenue bonds with voter approval or issue Certificates of Participation, annual debt service would have a significant impact on camp fees. For example, if the Recreation and Park Department were to pay debt service on a $20 million loan amortized over 30 years at 5 percent annual interest, Camp Mather revenues would have to increase by approximately 60 percent to cover operating and debt service costs. A 60 percent increase in fees would result in a family of four, who currently pay $114 per night for a Camp Mather Cabin, to pay an additional $68 per night, resulting in an estimated fee of $182 per night.

The Recreation and Park Department Capital Division should assess the Camp Mather facilities to identify the need for capital repairs or replacement, estimate costs, and set priorities and schedules for repair and replacement. The Recreation and Park Department should then report to the Board of Supervisors during FY 2006-2007 on Camp Mather’s operating and capital costs, the impact on fees, and the options for maintaining the Camp.

and -

The Budget Analyst’s recommendations are intended to bring the discussion of the Department’s capital costs and funding sources for Monster Park Stadium, the Marina Yacht Harbor, and Camp Mather before the Board of Supervisors, including a discussion of whether the Recreation and Park Department or a private entity could better bear the cost and responsibility of renovating and operating the facilities.

and -

•Public/private partnerships, including working closely with private sector property developers and public sector development agencies. The fundraising for, and subsequent management of, the Conservatory of Flowers is an example of a public/private partnership for an existing facility. Other existing facilities which could benefit from such an approach include the Botanical Gardens at Strybing Arboretum, Camp Mather, the Marina, and the Randall Museum.

•Public sector partnerships with agencies which have overlapping needs and facilities (for example, the San Francisco Unified School District, City College, and the Public Library).

•Small business and corporate sponsorships.

Be there for Mather if you want Mather to be there for you -

This past summer the talk at camp was about possible privatization, and FoCM volunteers collected signatures from campers who wanted to know how to support anti-privatization of camp - and now, after working on this with Friends and with Supervisor Jake McGoldrick, there is finally a Camp Mather Anti-Privatization Resolution before the Board of Supervisors on January 22.

The Resolution is still being worked on, but you can find what we have here.

Just got the confirmed date yesterday from Cassandra in Supervisor McGoldrick's office - the Board of Supervisors Agenda for Jan. 22 has not been posted yet - When it is posted you will be able to find it on this page.

Let everyone you know know about this - over the years R+P auditors have suggested "public/private partnerships" -think Harding Golf Course, Golden Gate Stables - but R+P has never had any interest from the private sector before. (For more information on R+P documents that reference Camp Mather, see below.)

Right now land is being cleared and new cabins are being built on private land at the Camp Mather border right across Birch Lake on the gazebo side that will be rented out to Evergreen guests. Evergreen guests have the run of the Camp Mather property for most of the year when the city is not running camp.

Support Camp Mather by attending the Board of Supervisors Meeting on January 22; if you are unable to attend, please put your comments in the Guest Book below - we will make sure to get a copy of The Guest Book to the Board of Supervisors.

MATHER NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT TO REMAIN THE ACCESSIBLE, AFFORDABLE, SAN FRANCISCO CAMP THAT YOU KNOW AND LOVE.

MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 1PM, CITY HALL, ROOM 263 - be there or sign the Guestbook below