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Item No. 1 Type of Business: WK WK: Work Session; PH: Public Hearing; CA: Consent Agenda; CB: Council Business City of Mounds View Staff Report To: Honorable Mayor and City Council From: Givonna Reed, Assistant to the City Administrator Item Title/Subject: Discussion of Room Rental Fees for 2001 Date of Report: February 5, 2001 At its December Work Session the 2001 Fee Schedule was before the Council for discussion. The Council expressed an interest in learning whether other cities charge residents a lower fee to use Community Center facilities than non-residents are charged. The following cities responded to my inquiry: Robbinsdale, Crystal, Coon Rapids, Oakdale, Blaine, Shoreview, New Brighton and Columbia Heights. Of the eight cities that responded to my inquiry, seven charge residents less than non-residents to use facilities. Unfortunately, there are no hard and fast rules about what to consider when setting fees. Most cities consider the following in addition to other factors: room size, time of day, day of week, and nonprofit status. Although it’s clear that we may not be comparing apples to apples when we compare our Community Center facilities and services offered to those of other cities, there are some things the Council may want to consider when setting the fees for room rentals: • Other cities typically charge residents more than non-residents to rent rooms. • Mounds View has a relatively new Community Center that is still being paid off. • Many cities allow parties to bring in their own licensed caterer or their own food, which could substantially cut the cost to the renter. • Several of the cities surveyed have no problem renting out their facility because residents have few, if any, alternatives. For your review, I am attaching the results of my survey as well as the Community Center fee schedule that was proposed by tenants of the Community Center. Wherever there is an “NA” that city either does not have such a facility or does not rent it out. I hope this information provides some assistance to the Council in setting room rental fees. Members of the Council also asked for an update on the financial performance/position of the Banquet Center. This issue will be addressed at the February 5, 2001 Community Center Committee meeting. RECOMMENDATION Provide staff with direction regarding where fees for room rentals should be set. Respectfully Submitted, __________________________ Givonna Reed Assistant to the City Administrator