Council raises Civic Center fees

Rental fees for the Demopolis Civic Center will increase effective April 1, following action of the City Council at Thursday evening’s meeting at Rooster Hall.

The city will honor the old rates for events already scheduled.

Following up on discussion from the last council meeting, Mayor Mike Grayson noted that repair costs at the 50-plus year-old facility are far outpacing rental income, by estimates as high as 4 to 1. “The rental rates are in no way keeping up with what we have to spend in repairs,” the mayor noted Thursday.

The council voted unanimously to increase fees to $600 for for-profit entities, $500 for social events, $250 for non-profit events when food will be served, and $100 for non-profit events with no food. Also included in the action was a $75 set-up fee and $150 cleaning fee.

Council member Charles Jones Jr. expressed concern about the fees being non-refundable, especially in situations when pieces of equipment at the civic center do not function properly. The council agreed to consider an appropriate way to handle partial refunds in such situations.

In other matters Thursday, the city accepted Mike Moss’ low bid of $27,840 for repairs to the Rosenbush Building, pending clarification of the bid. Grayson noted that the city agreed to perform $20,000 in repairs annually as part of its lease of the building, but has not performed any work in the first four years of the lease. Also, the council heard a concern from Hilltop Circle resident Shirley James about the lack of speed bumps on Hilltop Circle, which she said creates danger for children due to vehicles traveling at high speeds. James was informed that there are specifications as to how high speed bumps can be built, but that the city will look to see if any worn speed bumps can be improved.

The council approved a liquor license for a wine festival to be held by the Historical Society on April 13, and also nominated Scott Stapp and Sylvia Malone for an alternate seat on the board of adjustments. The council will choose between Stapp and Malone at its next meeting.

The council was informed that Police Chief Tommie Reese recently completed a 240-hour Certified Law Enforcement Executive course through Jacksonville State University, and also heard Fire Chief Tommy Tate report that five Demopolis firefighters took part in providing security and HazMat Decon preparedness in Selma recently as part of Vice President Joe Biden’s visit. Tate termed working with the U.S. Secret Service “a very interesting experience.”