Campbell council adopts updated museum rental policy; clarifies alcohol, deposits and caterer access

The Campbell City Council on Feb. 17 approved revisions to Council Policy Section 21 that govern the Campbell Historical Museum, Easley House, the carriage house and associated garden rental spaces.

Staff described edits that consolidate museum-related policies into one concise format for permitting and one-page policy handouts. The changes remove cleaning fees from the list of automatically forfeited amounts on reservation cancellations (only the security deposit may be forfeited in that context) and clarify insurance requirements: renters must provide liability insurance naming the city as additional insured, with standard limits handled through the city attorney’s office. Council approved a policy of beer-and-wine-only alcohol service for rentals, citing enforceability and staff-monitoring considerations.

Council members asked about caterer access to water for hand washing and food-service tasks; staff said caterers have access to water and may use a side access point near the shed area for service needs, but the space is not a full kitchen. On weather cancellations, staff said bookings are generally from May through September and that severe storms would be handled on a case-by-case basis; the city manager has discretion to waive fees but the city does not plan to pay private parties a penalty stipend if it cancels a reservation due to extraordinary circumstances.

Council asked staff to ensure clear one-page rules are included in the permitting process and approved the policy modifications by roll call.