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insisted it be placed on another Finance Committee agenda. Councilmember Hardin <br />suggested the City Attorney could make a decision on this. <br /> <br />Case #3: Discuss Use of City Owned and Operated Facilities <br /> <br />Finance Officer Hart stated that a letter from the Women of Today precipitated a review of <br />the City's policy for using/renting its facilities. All groups are charged, with the exception <br />of youth groups (i.e. Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, RYAA, etc.) and senior citizen groups. <br />The damage deposit is still charged; however, the per event fee is waived. This policy has <br />been applied consistently. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hardin stated that the City needs to provide, in a fair and equitable manner, <br />a location for clubs, etc. to meet. He stated he did not know how a line could be drawn on <br />who gets charged and who does not. The groups who use it now at no charge cause extra <br />maintenance, etc. <br /> <br />Ms. Hart stated that these groups do pay a damage deposit. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hardin stated he still questions the manner of "drawing the line". He felt <br />that some consideration should be taken when dealing with a new organization without a <br />large :membership or funds. <br /> <br />Ms. Hart explained that the church currently using the facility was the same way. It was <br />struggling also, but they had to pay. She added that' a significant dollar amount is not made <br />but it does recoup some of the maintenance. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hardin suggested a policy whereby newly chartered organizations into the <br />City get to meet at the facility free of charge for six months to a year. He inquired if that <br />policy would be hard to monitor. <br /> <br />Ms. Hart stated it would not be too hard to monitor. <br /> <br />Councilmember Peterson felt that the Ramsey Women of Today would probably not be in <br />better financial shape six months to a year from now. <br /> <br />Councilmember Zimmerman suggested that with only about 10 to 20 members, it should be <br />possible to meet in someone's home. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hardin stated he feels that organizations such as this are the back bone of <br />the community and the City should do its best to facilitate them. <br /> <br />Councilmember Peterson inquired at what point do they become an "Achilles Heel" as <br />opposed to the backbone. He cautioned that other groups could see this as discriminatory <br />if the Women of Today are allowed to meet free of charge. <br /> <br />Councilmember Hardin stated that this has been done with the boys scouts, etc. and <br />inquired if there is some reason we would not want the Women of Today meeting here. <br /> <br />Ms. Hart stated there is no reason. Meeting rooms are rented by order of priority - City <br />business needs are always met first. <br /> <br />Councilmcmber Zimmerman stated he feels all organizations have to be treated alike and <br />added that he does not see a need to change the policy. <br /> <br />Finance Committee/August 22, 1994 <br /> Page 3 of 8 <br /> <br /> <br />