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Whitehouse council adopts content-neutral equal access policy for City Center, approves two use agreements
Summary
Council approved a content-neutral equal access policy for City Center to allow community groups, including political organizations, to rent space on equal terms, and authorized two use agreements (Whitehouse Area Chamber and the Whitehouse Economic Development Corporation) with $500 annual fees.
The City of Whitehouse council voted Dec. 16 to adopt a content-neutral equal access policy for the City Center and approved two facility-use agreements that formalize office and meeting-space arrangements with local economic partners.
Mister Martinez, the staff presenter, told the council the proposed policy "establishes a content neutral equal access framework" that would allow community groups, including political organizations, to rent City Center spaces under the same terms and rental rates without regard to viewpoint. He said the policy was modeled on other Texas cities and had been reviewed by the city attorney to ensure compliance with state and federal law. "Importantly, this policy does not represent endorsement of any group or message," Martinez said, describing the policy as aimed at fairness and transparency.
After brief discussion, a councilmember moved to approve the City of Whitehouse facility-use policy for City Center establishing equal-access guidelines that permit political events under viewpoint- and content-neutral criteria. The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.
Council then considered two use agreements for the City Center: one with the Whitehouse Area Chamber of Commerce and one with the Whitehouse Economic Development Corporation. Martinez said both organizations have designated office space within City Center and access to meeting spaces for official business; each agreement includes a $500 annual fee intended to offset some operational costs. A motion to approve both agreements and to authorize the city manager to execute them was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.
Council members noted that regular rentals and memberships to co-working space have already occurred and expressed hope that rental revenue could offset facility costs. The council moved on to other business after approving the policy and agreements.
The adopted policy and executed agreements take immediate effect as internal city administration directs; staff said copies of the updated policy were provided in hard copy to council prior to the vote.
