City building use rules change for REC board
Staff reporter
Even though the City of Marion is a partner with USD 408 in financially supporting the Marion Recreation Commission, city officials and councilmen were not in favor of letting REC use the building as it had in the past since the school no longer paid the city for use.
Marion City Council spent much time Monday discussing the use of the city building by REC.
REC Director Margo Yates asked the council to consider waiving a $50 rental fee that was charged to a gymnastics class for using the city auditorium.
In the past, REC activities were not charged by the city when USD 408 was paying an annual fee for use of the building. Since the school district no longer is using the city building, the city began charging for REC activities, including a $50 key deposit.
Yates said she wanted REC to be able to use the city building and the gymnastics class had used it in the past.
Current gymnastics classes are Sunday afternoons for six weeks, with the first class this past Sunday.
One issue that was brought up was the removal of the gymnastics mats from the stage area when the city rents the auditorium any one of the other six days of the week. The mats are large and difficult to move on a regular basis.
Yates said the gymnastics class was going to use the multi-purpose room at Marion Elementary School but could not because the floor was going to be waxed sometime in that time frame. Another option was the wrestling room at Marion High School but that was not the best option for gymnastics, Yates said.
Students are charged $40 for the six sessions with fees being used by the instructors for class expenses and compensation.
"We want to break even on every activity. We're not in this for the money," Yates said. "We don't want the fees to be so high that people can't afford to participate."
Yates said she was frustrated because she wasn't sure what REC will and won't be charged when using the city building.
City administrator David Mayfield said there have been people who have come in to the city office at 9 a.m. to rent the auditorium at noon.
Yates said the auditorium is rarely used and would be accommodating to those who want to use it by moving the mats.
Councilman Steve Smith said he understands the school having a cleaning schedule but it appeared to him that the school would be the better option.
He continued that he wanted to waive building usage fees on a case-by-case basis and not give free access to REC.
"I've never had to come before the council to ask permission like this before. I feel like we're going backward," Yates said.
"This facility is for public use," Smith said. He continued that if the gymnastics class was willing to use the facility without air conditioning then he didn't have a problem but wants the mats removed if needed. He said there were problems in the past.
Councilman Stacey Collett asked when the city was going to pursue the re-organizing of REC so it could run like a "regular" REC board? He was referring to the board operating through a mill levy instead of "donations" from the school and city.
"We'd have to find the right time to go through the school district," Yates said.
City clerk Angela Lange clarified to the council that everyone is charged a rental fee for the city building except non-profit organizations and government entities.
Later in the meeting, Yates returned with copies of a joint resolution, dated June 11, 2001, between the City of Marion and USD 408. It was noted that there was a clause in the resolution where the two entities agreed to continue the financial support of REC and should work together for the benefit of the organization.
If additional funding becomes necessary, recommendations should be made to reorganize the commission to comply with state statute and gain authority to levy tax and seek bonds by election, the resolution stated.
It was signed by Marion mayor and the school board president.
It was noted that REC provides services to all of USD 408, not just the residents of Marion.
"We have it in black and white of how to rent this building and I or Angela don't have the authority to change the rules," Mayfield said. "It's strictly a council decision."
He continued that 77 percent of the city hall budget has been spent and the budget year wasn't half over. Cost overruns were mentioned regarding maintenance costs for the building with revenue from renting the city building never offsetting costs.
"I'm all for keeping kids out of trouble and I'm willing to personally pay for the first $50 fee," Olson said to Yates. "You may have to charge people more to participate to cover these additional expenses."
Smith said he didn't think it was out of line to charge a one-time $50 deposit for the key, which would be refunded at the conclusion of the gymnastics program, and letting the gymnastics class use the auditorium for the next five weeks. The arrangement would not include air conditioning.
The other councilmen agreed and the motion passed, 5-0.
Yates also presented a check for $350 to the council for maintenance of the auditorium which was raised through the local theater group.
She also reported that 95 children were participating in the swim team.
