On November 15, 2016, the City Council approved M&C G-18885 to accept receipt of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden Strategic Plan from EMD Consulting Group, LLC, and refer the Strategic Plan to the City Manager and staff for further review and evaluation to develop strategies and policies for the implementation of the Strategic Plan. Three key components received from City Council for staff to develop were: (1) realign governance and existing financial resources, (2) identify capital infrastructure costs, and (3) assemble more visitor information. The City Council requested a subsequent process to consider fees and governance options.
During the March 21, 2017 City Council Work Session, staff provided an update on the Botanic Garden Strategic Plan. This was in anticipation of three M&Cs City Council approved on March 28, 2017 to establish a special revenue fund for all operating revenues and expenses, authorize contracts with Fort Worth Botanical Society and Fort Worth Garden Club to realign governance, and to authorize purchase agreements for City staff to operate the Treasure Tree Gift Shop.
On January 30, 2018, staff presented an update on the Botanic Garden Strategic Plan to the City Council. The focus was an overview of the program partnership with BRIT on the education and volunteer programs and next steps to explore the establishment of, or partnership with, a non-profit entity.
At the same time, the Botanic Garden Task Force (BGTF) was established to consider fees and governance options. The 16 member BGTF consisted of community leaders and various stakeholders, and was chaired by Sal Espino, former City Council Member. The BGTF held five meetings in 2018, February 16, March 19, April 19, June 19 and August 6. A public meeting was held May 14 where an overview of the work of the task force was provided and public comments were received. The purpose of the BGTF was to formulate prudent financial management policy recommendations that will strategically ensure the sustainability of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden and effectively maximize the full potential of the Garden as a world class museum while maintaining accessibility to all citizens.
BGTF members developed general conclusions based on information provided from consultants and professional research that served as the basis in developing the recommendations below which constitute the final and complete recommendations of the BGTF at their August 6, 2018 meeting.
GENERAL CONCLUSIONS:
1. Strategic Plan identified specific actions toward implementing 2010 Master Plan and identified a $1.2M
annual operating shortfall
2. More than $15M in capital repairs are required to maintain the status quo and is symptomatic of chronic
underfunding
3. 2/3 of visitors are not residents of Fort Worth
4. Doing nothing is not an option or we risk the rest of the garden disappearing like the Fragrance Garden;
and
5. Long-term, bond program support and significant philanthropic giving are necessary to achieve the full
potential.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Establish a general admission fee to replace the current $7.00 Japanese Garden and $2 Conservatory admission fees.
a. Adult $12.00
b. Children 6-15 (50% of adult fee) $6.00
c. Senior 65+ (80% of adult fee) $10.00
d. Children 5 and under free.
2. Establish a membership program
a. Individual, one named adult $50.00
b. Family, 2 named adults and all children less than 18 years in household $100.00
c. Lone Star Family $30.00
d. Dual, two named adults $80.00
e. Contributing, family plus one additional adult per visit $200.00
f. Supporting, family plus two additional adults per visit $500.00
g. Sponsor, family plus two adults per visit and two event tickets $1,000.00
3. Establish Accessibility Options that will provide access for all citizens.
a. Membership. Family membership $100.00
b. Lone Star Card Discounts (SNAP/WIC Card).
i. Discounted Family Membership $30.00
ii. Museums4All. Family visits for $1.00 admission per adult family member, children under 18
free.
c. MusePass.
d. Sponsored Field Trips.
e. Blue Star Program.
f. Community Based Free Family Passes.
4. Governance of the Garden should be transitioned to non-profit management.
At their October 24, 2018 meeting, the Park & Recreation Advisory Board endorsed the recommendations of the Botanic Garden Task Force. On September 26, 2018, an overview was provided to the Park & Recreation Advisory Board in a Work Session on the work of the BGTF and their recommendations.
On October 30, 2018, the recommendations of the Botanic Garden Task Force were presented at the City Council Work Session. Infrastructure and equipment improvements will need to be completed before the admission fees and membership fees for the Botanic Garden can be implemented. City staff plan to have the infrastructure and improvements completed by July 2019.
Approval of this M&C will provide staff the ability to implement the fees once the infrastructure and improvements are completed. The maximum fee rates will continue to be capped at those amounts approved by the City Council.
Approval of this M&C also does the following:
• Establishes financial accessibility options for the Botanic Garden to ensure access to the Botanic
Garden across the socio-economic spectrum of the City.
• Authorizes the Park & Recreation Department Director and his or her designee to amend the
accessibility options as necessary to ensure continued access.
• Authorizes the Park & Recreation Director or their designees, directly or in connection with
non-profit support groups, to adjust or waive fees in response to market demands such as seasonal,
weather-related, and facility condition-driven factors; customer service resolutions, memberships;
advertising opportunities; special marketing promotions; and educational purposes. The cumulative
impact of the fee modifications shall not negatively impact by more than 10% the annual fee
revenue projections for the Fort Worth Botanic Garden.
• Designates other personnel as acting on behalf of the Financial Management Services Department
in collecting those fees, as applicable.
• Authorizes City staff to pursue management of the Botanic Garden by a non-profit organization and
return to City Council for consideration of a management agreement.
This M&C does not request approval of a contract with a business entity. |
