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Olivia council waives community-center fees for Memorial Day program
Summary
The Olivia City Council voted to waive the $200 lease fee and security deposit for Memorial Day events at the Armory/community center, citing a statute permitting fee waivers for commemorative public events; council also agreed to work with community partners on seating for the ceremony.
The Olivia City Council voted to waive lease fees and the security deposit for Memorial Day ceremonies held at the Armory/community center, saying the decision would reduce costs for veterans’ organizations organizing the annual program.
The council’s action followed a public comment from a resident who said the Armory lacked sufficient seating for the expected crowd and asked the city to waive the fee for the holiday event. The mayor called for a motion “to waive the fees associated with the lease agreement for the Memorial Day program,” which was moved, seconded and approved without recorded opposition.
City staff cited a state statute during the discussion that allows the city to waive fees to further a public purpose for observances and annual commemorations. Staff also cautioned the council about the community center’s operating budget: while the city received a $450,000 grant for facility upgrades, ongoing operating costs and utilities are not fully covered by current revenue.
Councilmembers and staff discussed practical follow-ups: sourcing additional safe folding chairs from community partners (schools, local organizations) for the event and the city’s inability to require or solicit donations as a condition of the waiver. The council asked staff to include language in the lease update that reflects the council’s direction and to return with formal lease-agreement wording.
What happens next: staff will amend the lease language and implement the fee waiver for the Memorial Day ceremony at the Armory; council requested follow-up on permanent seating options and on lease wording for similar commemorative events.
