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Q&A
Communication of new athletic field permitting rules
0:58:24
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107 sec
Council Member Krishnan raises concerns about access issues and lack of awareness regarding the new permitting rules, particularly for nonprofit organizations. The Parks Department representatives detail their communication efforts to inform permit holders about the changes.
- Parks Department conducted public hearings and webinars to explain new rules
- Regular preseason webinars are held for groups to learn about rule changes
- Permit coordinators are available for questions
- An upgraded online application process includes improved features for asking questions and getting feedback
Shekar Krishnan
0:58:24
Got it.
0:58:24
Thank you.
0:58:25
And now going back to the permits issue.
0:58:27
And I think, you know, it'll be good to hear for you all to hear the testimony of some of the groups and individuals today to get feedback on how the rules are working.
0:58:36
My sense is there are still both access has been an issue.
0:58:41
I also think people you know, we've had groups reach out to us from across the city that aren't aware of exactly what the rules are now, and so they're applying as nonprofits for for profit on for profit rates that are just categorically not feasible for them.
0:58:57
And then we've had to explain to them or bring you all in.
0:58:59
So what communication have you all done?
0:59:01
Especially now with the nonprofit category being a new one, how much outreach have you all done?
0:59:07
Or what are the plans to do more outreach to make sure the nonprofits know that they are not subjected to these much higher rates?
Margaret Nelson
0:59:16
So during the rule process where we did a public hearing, we also did some webinars that were open to permit holders that we had contacts for.
0:59:26
We also did some specific outreach to some of the groups that we knew we were working with.
0:59:32
And then we also institute kind of regular preseason webinars for groups so they can go We were going through all the rules and the rule changes.
0:59:41
So we're kind of providing these webinars on a regular basis for people to sign into and, you know, hear what's going on.
0:59:49
They also can call their permit coordinators.
0:59:52
And one of the things that we did as part of the upgrade to the application process online is that we have a better feature for asking questions and getting feedback.
1:00:04
So I think we're much more responsive when people have questions now because it's all taking place within that permit process.
Shekar Krishnan
1:00:10
Have you all considered having maybe a dedicated team as well there to work with organizations that run into permitting issues, you know, aside from all the other, you know, communication tools you have in place?