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Nonprofits urge council to drop two‑week cancellation clause for community center rentals
Summary
During public comment Aaron Disco and nonprofit representatives said a two‑week cancellation clause in the community‑center rental policy creates hardships and could jeopardize sponsors; council signaled consensus to remove the clause and asked staff to present changes on a consent agenda.
Nonprofit leaders told the Montrose City Council the draft community‑center rental packet’s two‑week cancellation clause imposes undue hardship on organizations that plan events months in advance and pay deposits.
Aaron Disco, who identified himself and gave a Montrose address during open forum, said the clause “creates a hardship for the non profits” and asked that the two‑week cancellation rule be removed so nonprofits can plan reliably and retain sponsors and volunteers.
Staff explained the updated rental rules proposed a three‑month reservation window and retained a two‑week removal option for paying renters; council members and nonprofit speakers debated whether to extend the reservation period and which events or groups should be protected from last‑minute removals. Several council members urged keeping a three‑month window while removing the two‑week removal clause for nonprofit bookings; staff agreed to implement the change administratively and place a consent agenda item documenting the list of designated nonprofit groups.
Council also discussed blackout dates for major town events (for example, Celebrate Montrose) and the need to nail down rules before a wider advertising push for the renovated community center.
What happens next: staff will remove the two‑week cancellation clause for nonprofits as directed, prepare a consent agenda item to record designated groups, and return final revised rental packets for the council’s records.
