Please read the first paragraph of this document. CLICK HERE:City of East Point Facility Rental Policy_July 2019
“AUTHORITY TO WAIVE OR CHANGE”
“The City Council or its authorized representative may make exception to any of the facility use rules and regulations, including rental rates.” This statement violates the City Charter in to sections:
- The City Council does not have an authorize representative that can make policy other than itself. “ Sec. 2-101.-City Council. All legislative powers and authority of the City shall be vested in a city council…… The city council established shall in all respects be a successor to and continuation of the governing authority under prior law…..”
- The East Point City Annex Auditorium Facility Rental Policy is a policy and only the city council can make, amend or repeal a policy period.
- Only the city council by Ordinance can set, amend, or repeal rental rates. ” Sec. 5-206- Service charges.
The first paragraph must be removed in its entirety.
OTHER SUGGESTED RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGES
- East Point residents should be exempt from all rental/lease fees for the use of Community Rooms at Fire Stations 3 and 4.
- Reservations must be submitted a minimum of 60 days in advance is too long. I suggest a minimum of five business days for the Community Rooms at the Fire Stations for residents. Booking the two Fire Stations Community Rooms for residents should be done by The City’s Public Information Officer. The City Clerk’s Office already has enough to do especially if they have to deal with rental/leases of the Annex Auditorium and Fire Stations Community Rooms for for non-residents.
- Any revision to the policy has to be made by the city council.
- “Approval by City Clerk’s office takes two (2) weeks for group meetings and one (1) month for social uses.” Two weeks for group meetings by residents is two long. The reason for residential community meetings is to impart information as quickly as possible often with deadlines involved if the information deals with governmental issues on any level.
I truly believe that this policy can be greatly improved if residents have input. What is the rush? It needs a lot of work and clarity, especially when considering the needs of the residents. This policy is not ready for a VOTE by Mayor and Council.
