During a recent government meeting, officials discussed a motion to approve a resolution aimed at reducing the library room rental fee for weddings held at the Bear Center from $5,000 to $1,000. The proposal was met with mixed reactions, highlighting concerns about the implications of hosting weddings, particularly regarding alcohol service and parking issues.

Counselor Fung raised objections, citing previous experiences where requests for food service at the library were denied due to educational use restrictions. She expressed discomfort with the idea of serving alcohol at the library, emphasizing the potential negative impact on the library's image and the inconvenience it could cause for patrons seeking to use the facility during events.

Supporters of the fee reduction argued that the current rental fee is prohibitively high, discouraging potential renters and limiting revenue opportunities for the library. They noted that weddings are already permitted at the Bear Center, and the proposed fee adjustment could make the venue more accessible while allowing for better management of events.

The discussion also touched on logistical concerns, such as the impact of large gatherings on parking availability and the library's operations during normal hours. Some officials suggested that while the fee reduction could attract more events, careful consideration must be given to how these events are managed to avoid conflicts with library patrons.

Ultimately, the motion to reduce the rental fee aims to strike a balance between generating revenue and maintaining the library's primary function as an educational resource. The outcome of the motion remains to be seen as further deliberations are expected.