Cordova council weighs charging nonprofits for rec facilities, aims to decide Oct. 29

The Cordova City Council on Wednesday weighed whether to charge nonprofits for using city parks and recreation facilities, use that Parks and Recreation Director Samantha Hagerthy-Schneider puts at about $45,000 in a typical year. The council made no decision. The outcome will help set Cordova's 2027 fee schedule.

The city's 2026 fee schedule lets verified nonprofits rent facilities at 25% of the standard rate, but that fee is on hold for reevaluation. Hagerthy-Schneider's memo lays out three options: keep nonprofit use free, have nonprofits pay a share the council sets, or phase in a contribution from 2027 through 2029.

Mayor Kristin Smith said the cost could reach $55,000. She and City Manager Sam Greenwood said the figure counts direct costs only, mostly temporary staff, and leaves out indirect costs and most permanent staff.

Hagerthy-Schneider emailed the Little League board three times after the council asked in April for a meeting. The board has not replied. "The intent was to have a meeting prior to budget so that we knew what we were doing," said Council Member Aaron Hansen.

Council Member Mike Mickelson suggested an in-kind match, such as the Ice Worm swim team providing a lifeguard. Hagerthy-Schneider said she would train volunteer lifeguards who complete the city's onboarding. Council Member David Zastrow said "consistency is huge" and that he leans toward phasing in a contribution.

Smith said the city lacks the staff for the Ice Worm team's usual November start this year. The pool's hours had already hit the limit of its temporary staff budget, Alaska News reported Sept. 29.

Smith said a decision at the council's Oct. 29 work session would give Greenwood a number to use in the budget.