Council approves Heritage Center rental agreement; insurance certificate may be removed

The council approved a rental agreement and rules for the new Heritage Center and accepted routine accounts payable during the meeting. Staff told the council the building was funded by an RDA grant and the rental application and rules were reviewed by the town attorney and the insurance carrier.

"The only item that may change is town council wanted either deposit or certificate of liability insurance... Our insurance person said that most likely they're gonna have a higher deductible to afford a policy, so going after them for the money or your insurance carrier could deny the claim," a town staff member explained to the council while recommending removal of the certificate-of-insurance requirement from the application.

The council moved and seconded a motion to approve the Hillsdale/Eltsville Heritage Center rental agreement with the understanding the certificate-of-liability-insurance clause may be removed. The motion passed on roll-call votes recorded in the transcript as yes from Jimmy Durnell, Laura Hill, Katie Michaels, Ron Van Dievener and Emily Kelly.

Council also reverted to accounts payable, noting little change from the prior listing, and approved the accounts payable by voice/roll call (votes recorded for Katie Michaels, Ron Van Deebner and Emily Kelly).

Staff answered questions about parking and security: the Heritage Center will have cameras and a security system and limited on-site parking (the building footprint and floodplain constraints limit close-in spaces); staff suggested drop-off and parking at nearby Campbell's Park shelter or the former street department lot. Rules and the rental application will be framed and posted at the Heritage Center, and an opening announcement was promised.

Votes at a glance: - Motion: Approve Heritage Center rental agreement (certificate-of-liability-insurance may be removed). Mover: Katie Michaels. Second: Emily Kelly. Outcome: Approved. Roll call recorded yes: Jimmy Durnell; Laura Hill; Katie Michaels; Ron Van Dievener; Emily Kelly. - Motion: Accept accounts payable. Mover/Second: not specified in transcript. Outcome: Approved. Roll call recorded yes: Katie Michaels; Ron Van Deebner; Emily Kelly.

Next steps: staff will post the rental rules at the Heritage Center, finalize parking guidance and issue a public opening announcement.