09/08/1975 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilwoman Beal thought any political activity was more educational than groups dis- cussing flower arranging, book reviews, manual training, etc. Also, that partisan political activity in this city was usually considered "dirty and ugly." She felt any city building should be open on the same basis as the county's Harris Hall and e that a separate category should be created for political meetings. Assistant Manager thought it would be a question of the fee charged. It was his understanding that Harris Hall could be rented to anyone for a fee. Mrs. Beal assumed use of city build- ings would be free for certain kinds of meetings. Councilman Haws asked for an estimate of a fee necessary to cover the cost of the building. There were no figures available and some question as to whether it would cover capital costs as well as operating costs. Mrs. Beal didn't see where costs would make any difference so long as it was city policy of extending use of the facilities. She suggested creation of another category to cover political groups with the cost borne by the city. She said that would be better than letting the facilities stand idle. - Councilman Keller wondered just how significant the problem was, how many requests were received from political groups for the community centers. Ernie Drapela, assistant parks director, said there was no problem with having facilities stand idle, they were used very heavily. Part of the problem was that the types of groups wanting to use the buildings, including parks department programs, couldn't be scheduled as often as they would like. He said the policy was not considered sacro- sanct, it could be amended, but there had been virtually no complaints since its adoption by either religious or political groups, and the parks department felt it was workable. Councilman Keller asked about the kind of scheduling problems that might arise after a building had been used a couple of hours for a political meeting then a second or third political party or candidate wanted to use a building. Mr. Drapela answered e that there could be no guarantees they would have the same time period say in the following week, use was on a stricly scheduled basis. However, the second, third, or other groups would not be treated any differently than the first, they would be scheduled as time and space permitted when the request came in. Councilman Murray stated that his concern was simply the implicit assumption that political participa- tion was considered a less appropriate use than other activities. Mr. Murray moved second by Mr. Hamel to refer the policy on use of parks department facilities to the Joint Parks Committee for con- Comm sideration and recommendation with regard to nature of comments 8/27/75 made by himself and Councilwoman Beal in this discussion, and that Approve there be a clarification of the policy with regard to where political groups would fit into the classifications listed. Mayor Anderson questioned whether the Joint Parks Committee was the proper body to consider the policy, that they were primarily concerned with planning and finance rather than parks operations. Assistant Manager noted referral to that committee might get the issue into the political realm. He suggested an ad hoc committee of the Council rather than involving planning commission members on the Joint Parks Committee. Councilman Murray had no preference, although he was not too much in favor of creating new committees. Mr. Drapela suggested a meeting between those Council members concerned about the policy and parks department staff to explore a possible change in wording to clarify the different classifications. Mayor Anderson thought that the best route and sug- e gested that Council members Murray and Beal talk with the parks department and bring a report back to the Council. Councilman Murray thought it better to have someone more objective involved. Also, he would rather know what others thought so that if his and Mrs. Bea]'s thinking wasno~ that of the majority ~the matter would be settled. 9/8/75 - 6 49.4-,