Council asks staff to draft resolution to revise Town Hall rental policy; possible removal of piano and alcohol fees

Councilmember Chris Deutsch asked the council to direct staff to prepare a resolution to modify the Town Hall Rental and Use Policy adopted in 2013. The suggested changes would remove the piano and alcohol permit requirements for Category 2 groups and Town residents (or eliminate those permit categories entirely), clarify that Category 2 groups are exempt from all fees associated with the rental of Town Hall, and require that all reservations be made online with staff assistance available for those who need it.

Assistant Town Manager Kayla Buker described current practice: staff requires a security deposit for all reservations (Category 2 groups are handled like individual residents with a $125 amount), and groups with multiple events may maintain a rolling deposit. The council expressed support for retaining the security-deposit requirement. Town Manager Barb Matthews cautioned that removing the Town alcohol fee would require verification that no state or county legal impediment exists; she noted the Garrett Park Swimming Pool Association (GPSPA) separately applies for a Montgomery County one-day special event permit when selling alcohol and that County sign-off is required because GPSPA operates on town property.

Resident Jim Cole, who assisted in drafting the 2013 policy, urged the council to consider keeping the alcohol fee as a disincentive to rowdy behavior. Councilmembers expressed support for eliminating the piano fee and for preparing a resolution to consider eliminating the alcohol fee if legally allowed. The council asked staff to include direction on refunds for pending reservations with fees already paid, provided the reservation date is after anticipated July adoption of a revised policy. Staff will return a draft resolution to the July meeting for formal action.