City staff flags free community‑building use, recommends fee review and roof replacement estimate
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Summary
Staff reported groups have used the community building free of charge under an ordinance dating to 1997, estimated the city subsidizes roughly $12,000 annually, and identified a needed roof replacement estimated at about $60,000; no action was taken but staff will research options for future council consideration.
City staff alerted the Board of Aldermen that certain civic groups have used the community building without charge under an ordinance passed in 1997, and that the city may be subsidizing roughly $12,000 a year in facility costs. Staff said two regular users are the Chamber of Commerce and the Lions Club; staff plans to research how other jurisdictions balance discounts for civic groups with fee schedules for parks and recreation facility use.
Staff also described deferred maintenance needs at the community building. Roofing contractors gave divergent opinions: one contractor said a repair would not be warranted and declined to provide a repair guarantee, and another provided a repair option for about $10,000 but would not warranty the fix; staff said a full replacement was estimated at about $60,000. Staff noted leaks around penetrations such as hood fans and bathroom vents and cited antennas and other additions that complicate repairs. No funding decision was made; staff said they will present options to the board at a future date.
Staff framed the fee review as “information only” at this meeting and said a future ordinance or fee schedule change may be proposed. The board asked staff to provide options that balance community access with reasonable cost recovery and to bring back cost estimates and possible fee structures.