Council Committee of the Whole discusses feedback received on ‘high’ rental rates for Community building

“How do we tell the organizations that ‘if you want to donate, now is the time to donate?’” Stanley Mayor Al Haas put forth at the 6:15 p.m. Committee of the Whole meeting April 19 before the regular city council. The meeting was called in part to address feedback that the City had received such that its rental rates for the Community Center as determined during closed session April 5 were ‘high,’ in the public’s perception.

Costing $1.362 million before insurance and grant money brought this figure down to just $212,000, followed with several donations by local civics organizations, the Stanley Common Council recently set the rental rates for the new Community Center at Chapman Park as $400 for a half-building rental and $800 for a full building rental, with $400 booking deposit.

Those rates were high, the Council had heard back from community members, with payment details also including a three-percent card fee for those using credit. With just 45 minutes before the swearing-in ceremonies arrived, it was into pressing business for Council members April 19.

“I’m going to call this meeting to order,” Mayor Al Haas said from the Stanley Fire Hall at 6:00 p.m. April 19. “We have 45 minutes. Let’s stay on task,” he said. “We got some feedback from people saying (the rates are) high, but that’s not the reason for being here,” Haas told those in attendance. “I mean, we can discuss rentals if you want.” Alderman Rick Hodowanic had heard the ‘high’ remark from members of the public as well.

“I’ve talked to five different people, and they all said it was too much,” he said of the published rental rates for the Community Center. Other council members weren’t so sure, however.

“A couple of people have talked of scheduling it and they say it’s reasonable,” Alderwoman Laurie Foster said of what she had heard while out and about. Foster’s comments concurred with earlier comments from Council members Mark Fitzsimmons the subject. Rates might be high for graduation parties, he said, but not for other types of events.

As to long-term power at the site, meanwhile, there were concerns on just when it would arrive from Xcel Energy, among others.

“Do we want to hold off on reservations in case we don’t get this thing back in June?” Haas asked the Council members present of the Community Center. It wouldn’t exactly do to book the building for rental if it wasn’t completed as such.

As to chairs, on the other hand, the City had ordered 340 chairs and 56 tables “from Matt,” Haas said, for a grand total of $13,612.04. Earlier on the Mayor and Kitchell had been authorized to spend between $12,000 to $15,000 on these. The carts for the furniture, meanwhile, had not yet been ordered, these being $300 a piece for the tables and $838 for the chairs, it was shared.

Mayor Haas and Council member Holly Kitchell had already looked into refrigerators for the Community Center at $729 a piece, though the City had not yet committed to buying them. Finally, there was the wall.

“We have not ordered the wall,” Mayor Haas said. “We do not have the money for the wall.” Said divider at the Community Center was estimated April 19 to cost between $14,000 and $15,000, and would split the structure into two distinct rooms, meaning that until it arrived the Center could only be rented as a half-unit, on account of occupancy limitations imposed from without.

As to civics organizations, meanwhile, Haas said that, “it’s the organization itself” rather than individual members who might get special consideration from the City, and that only for their annual events, not for organizational meetings.

“I think we have to run it the way the old one was run,” he said of the Community Center and its operation as compared with the Rod and Gun Building. Council member Kitchell, meanwhile, shared thoughts on the new building as well. Talk also revolved around whether there needed to be a deadline each year for when civic organizations could reserve the site, to avoid double booking. Before long, it was on to meeting close, and talk of opening.

“I feel we want to grand open that building,” Kitchell said, adding that it should be done before people start using it a lot. As to rental rates, plan on there being no change, at least for now. The Council decided to leave them as is and see what happens.

The Council met at 6 p.m. April 19 to discuss the park building and published rental rates, ultimately deciding to stay the course for the present. Staff photo.