AGENDA #5i

 

MEMORANDUM

 

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

 

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

SUBJECT:       Report on Use of Town Hall Council Chamber

 

DATE:             November 10, 2003

 

BACKGROUND

 

At the Council’s August 25, 2003 meeting, Council members requested that the current policy on use of the Council Chamber by community organizations or others be reviewed, and that possible revisions be provided for the Council’s consideration.  Council members also asked that staff review the meeting room use policies of other communities.  It was suggested that rental of the Council Chamber may be considered.

 

DISCUSSION

 

Present Use of Meeting Room

 

In addition to the Town Council, the Council Chamber is used regularly by several Chapel Hill advisory boards, the OWASA Board of Directors, and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Board of Education.  It is used periodically for other special events, such as candidate forums, information meetings, and other Town-sponsored events.  Town staff frequently use the Council Chamber during business hours for various meetings.

 

Attachment 1 provides a detailed schedule of Council Chamber use over the past 14 months.  As the chart shows, over the fourteen month period from September 2002 through October 2003, the Council Chamber was used on average 18.8 times per month, with an average use of 12.9 days each month.

 

The heaviest use by the Council, advisory boards and others occurs on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings, although the Planning Board has its regularly scheduled meetings on the first and third Tuesdays each month.  Staff use is primarily during regular business hours between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

 

Use of the Chamber declines over the summer months, with July showing the least use.


Current Policy

 

The Council’s current policy for use of the Council Chamber is included in the Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual, an excerpt of which is provided as Attachment 2.  That policy states, in part, “When rooms are not needed for Town Council or advisory board meetings, department or Town staff activities, they may be made available to non-profit community organizations.”  The policy also states the priority in which requests for space will be reserved:

 

§         Town Council meetings

§         Meetings sponsored by the Mayor or Council member(s)

§         Other meetings of official Town boards, committees, commissions, task forces and work groups

§         Town-sponsored activities

§         Meetings of other local, State, and federal governmental officials

§         Community groups sponsoring programs of a non-commercial nature (including local precinct meetings).

 

The policy, as applied to community groups, states in part:

 

·        the times that meeting rooms can be reserved,

·        that meetings must be open to the public,

·        that all meetings must be free of charge,

·        that requests for regularly occurring meetings are not generally accepted,

·        that meetings not interfere with the conduct of Town business,

·        that the rooms and equipment must be left in good condition,

·        that limited membership groups will not regularly be permitted to use meeting space,

·        that the users must agree to be responsible for any damages to facilities or equipment, and

·        that commercial use of meeting rooms are not permitted.

 

Because of limited parking and Town business needs, meetings of community groups have not been scheduled during normal business hours when citizens are conducting business at Town Hall.

 

Policies of Other Communities

 

It appears that the policy used by Chapel Hill is similar to those used in nearby jurisdictions (Attachment 3).  We found that the majority (six) do not allow use of their meeting room by groups outside of advisory boards and other government agencies.  Of the remaining four, three allow non-profit groups to schedule use of their meeting room.

 

We received information from Carrboro, Cary, Durham, Durham County, Greensboro, Orange County, Raleigh, Wake County, Wake Forest, and Winston-Salem.  Attachment 3 provides details of the responses received.

 

Of the ten city and county governments contacted, four have a written policy, one provides security during meetings, and none charge a fee.

 

Five of those surveyed allow use by advisory boards and government agencies only; four allow use by non-profit groups only; and, one (City of Durham) uses a “case-by-case” method with the City Manager making the decision on requests for use.

 

Hours of use allowed by those surveyed were: three use a “case-by case” method, three allow use during regularly scheduled advisory board meeting times, one is after 5 p.m. only Monday-Friday, and two allow use Monday-Sunday, with the requirement that a Friday evening or weekend meeting must have a staff member present.

 

CONSIDERATION OF CURRENT POLICY

 

If the Council wishes to allow groups other than non-profits to use the Council Chamber, we believe several issues should be considered.  These include the possible interference with use by non-profits, use of and potential damage to microphones and other audio-visual equipment, the need for security monitors for the safety of people and property, care and cleaning of the Council Chamber, limitations on types of groups using the facility, and consideration of rental fees.  (Currently, the Library allows the use of its facilities and audio-visual equipment at no charge; the Community Center charges for use of its facilities and equipment.

 

Non-profit agencies depend on the use of Town meeting rooms at little or no cost.  A change in Town policy may adversely impact those agencies.

 

The equipment located in the Council Chamber must be maintained in good working order.  Because of the frequency of use and variety of groups now using the equipment, it is sometimes difficult to assure that it remains operational.  For example: repair/replacement of a microphone averages about $200; bulbs for the television spotlights cost approximately $450 each; replacement bulb for the projection equipment is $300.

 

An additional consideration may be the cost involved in providing security monitors if meetings are scheduled outside of normal hours, such as on Friday evenings or weekends.  We do not now contract for security at those times.

 

The cost for cablecasting meetings is a separate cost, and the group utilizing the service makes payment directly to the Town’s contract producer.

 

CONCLUSIONS

 

Compared to the local governments surveyed, Chapel Hill’s policy allows a wider range of use, in that the Council does not restrict the use of the audio-visual equipment, allows non-profits to schedule use of the room, and provides security services at no charge.

 

The Council Chamber is used weekly by the Council, staff, advisory boards, non-profit groups, and others.  We believe that the Chamber is utilized frequently and, as Attachment 1 shows, does not stand idle for long periods.

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

We recommend no change in the current policy on use of the Council Chamber.

 

If the Council wishes to revise the policy to allow use by for profit groups we will prepare specific policy recommendations for consideration at a later meeting.

 

ATTACHMENTS

 

1.                  Use of the Council Chamber in Town Hall (p. 5).

2.                  General Meeting Room Policy (excerpt from Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual (p. 13).

3.                  Policies of Other Communities (p. 15).

 

ATTACHMENT 1

 


Use of the Council Chamber in Town Hall (by group)

September 2002 through October 2003

 

 

 

Use or Group

 

Date

Time of Use/

Reservation

Planning Board

Tuesday 9/3/2002

6:30 PM

Board of Adjustment

Wednesday 9/4/2002

6:30 PM

Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board

Thursday 9/5/2002

5:00 PM

South Orange Black Caucus Candidates' Forum

Friday 9/6/2002

6:30 PM

Council Business Meeting (set up)

Monday 9/9/2002

8:30 AM

Council Business Meeting

Monday 9/9/2002

7:00 PM

Development Ordinance Briefing

Thursday 9/12/2002

4:00 PM

Historic District Commission

Thursday 9/12/2002

6:30 PM

Council Public Hearing (set up)

Wednesday 9/18/2002

8:30 AM

Council Public Hearing

Wednesday 9/18/2002

7:00 PM

Police Presentation

Thursday 9/19/2002

11:30 AM

Clerk’s Office

Thursday 9/19/2002

2:00 PM

Council Business Meeting (set up)

Monday 9/23/2002

8:30 AM

Council Business Meeting

Monday 9/23/2002

7:00 PM

Community Design Commission

Wednesday 9/25/2002

7:00 PM

OWASA

Thursday 9/26/2002

6:30 PM

Public Information Meeting (Rezonings)

Monday 9/30/2002

4:00 PM

Uses: 17; Days Used: 12

Planning Board

Tuesday 10/1/2002

6:30 PM

GIS Demonstration

Wednesday 10/2/2002

9:00 AM

Board of Adjustment

Wednesday 10/2/2002

6:30 PM

Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board

Thursday 10/3/2002

5:00 PM

Council Business Meeting (set up)

Monday 10/7/2002

8:00 AM

Council Business Meeting

Monday 10/7/2002

7:00 PM

Greenwood Road Traffic Calming Public Information Meeting

Tuesday 10/8/2002

7:00 PM

Historic District Commission

Thursday 10/10/2002

6:30 PM

Council Public Hearing (set up)

Wednesday 10/16/2002

8:30 AM

Council Public  Hearing

Wednesday 10/16/2002

7:00 PM

Clerk’s Office

Thursday 10/17/2002

8:30 AM

League of Women Voters Candidates Forum

Thursday 10/17/2002

6:00 PM

Council Business Meeting (set up)

Monday 10/21/2002

8:30 AM

Council Business Meeting

Monday 10/21/2002

7:00 PM

Planning Board - Land Use Management Ordinance

Tuesday 10/22/2002

5:30 PM

Community Design Commission

Wednesday 10/23/2002

7:30 PM

Public Information Meeting - Land Use Management Ordinance

Thursday 10/24/2002

4:00 PM


 

 

Use or Group

 

Date

Time of Use/

Reservation

OWASA

Thursday 10/24/2002

6:30 PM

Development Ordinance Workshop

Saturday 10/26/2002

8:00 AM

Council Public Hearing (set up)

Monday 10/28/2002

8:30 AM

Council Public Hearing

Monday 10/28/2002

7:00 PM

Community Design Commission

Tuesday 10/29/2002

6:30 PM

Uses: 22; Days Used: 15

Council Work Session (set up)

Monday 11/4/2002

8:30 AM

Council Work Session – Downtown Issues

Monday 11/4/2002

7:00 PM

Council Work Session (set up)

Tuesday 11/5/2002

8:30 AM

Council Work Session – LUMO

Tuesday 11/5/2002

8:30 AM

Meadowmont Hilltop and Greenway Condo Public Information Meeting

Tuesday 11/5/2002

4:00 PM

Board of Adjustment

Wednesday 11/6/2002

6:30 PM

Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board

Thursday 11/7/2002

5:00 PM

Council Business Meeting (set up)

Monday 11/11/2002

8:30 AM

Council Business Meeting

Monday 11/11/2002

7:00 PM

Planning Board

Tuesday 11/12/2002

6:00 PM

Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board Redistricting Public Hearing

Wednesday 11/13/2002

6:30 PM

Public Information Meeting - Nisbet Subdivision Application

Thursday 11/14/2002

4:00 PM

Historic District Commission

Thursday 11/14/2002

6:30 PM

Council Public Hearing (set up)

Monday 11/18/2002

8:30 AM

Council Public Hearing

Monday 11/18/2002

7:00 PM

Community Design Commission

Wednesday 11/20/2002

6:30 PM

Triangle Transit Authority

Thursday 11/21/2002

5:30 PM

Council Business Meeting (set up)

Monday 11/25/2002

8:30 AM

Council Business Meeting

Monday 11/25/2002

7:00 PM

OWASA

Tuesday 11/26/2002

7:00 PM

Uses: 20; Days Used: 13

Council Meeting – LUMO

Monday 12/2/2002

8:00 AM

Planning Board

Tuesday 12/3/2002

6:30 PM

Board of Adjustment

Wednesday 12/4/2002

6:30 PM

Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board

Thursday 12/5/2002

6:30 PM

Public Arts Commission

Friday 12/6/2002

5:30 PM

Council Business Meeting (set up)

Monday 12/9/2002

8:30 AM

Council Business Meeting

Monday 12/9/2002

7:00 PM

Council Business Meeting (set up)

Thursday 12/12/2002

8:00 AM

Council Business Meeting

Thursday 12/12/2002

7:00 PM

Community Design Commission

Wednesday 12/18/2002

6:30 PM

Uses: 10; Days Used: 8


 

 

Use or Group

 

Date

Time of Use/

Reservation

Council Work Session (set up)

Monday 1/6/2003

8:30 AM

Council  Work Session – LUMO

Monday 1/6/2003

7:00 PM

Planning Board

Tuesday 1/7/2003

6:30 PM

Board of Adjustment

Wednesday 1/8/2002

6:30 PM

Historic District Commission

Thursday 1/9/2003

6:30 PM

Council Business Meeting (set up)

Monday 1/13/2003

8:30 AM

Council Business Meeting

Monday 1/13/2003

7:00 PM

Community Design Commission

Wednesday 1/15/2003

6:30 PM

Joint Council Meeting

Thursday 1/16/2003

9:00 AM

Council Public Hearing (set up)

Wednesday 1/22/2003

8:30 AM

Council Public Hearing

Wednesday 1/22/2003

7:00 PM

Public Information Meeting

Thursday 1/23/2003

4:00 PM

OWASA

Thursday 1/23/2003

6:30 PM

Council Business Meeting (set up)

Monday 1/27/2003

8:30 AM

Council Business Meeting

Monday 1/27/2003

7:00 PM

Council Budget Public Hearing (set up)

Wednesday 1/29/2003

8:30 PM

Council Budget Public Hearing

Wednesday 1/29/2003

7:00 PM

Peace meeting

Thursday 1/30/2003

6:00 PM

Public Arts Commission

Friday 1/31/2003

5:00 PM

Uses: 19; Days Used: 13

Planning Board

Tuesday 2/4/2003

6:30 PM

Board of Adjustment

Wednesday 2/5/2003

6:30 PM

Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board

Thursday 2/6/2003

5:00 PM

Council Business Meeting (set up)

Monday 2/10/2003

8:00 AM

Council Business Meeting

Monday 2/10/2003

7:00 PM

Peace meeting

Tuesday 2/11/2003

6:00 PM

Council Budget Work Session (set up)

Wednesday 2/12/2003

8:00 AM

Council Budget Work Session

Wednesday 2/12/2003

4:00 PM

Clerk's Office

Thursday 2/13/2003

8:00 AM

Historic District Commission

Thursday 2/13/2003

6:30 PM

Council Budget Work Session (set up)

Wednesday 2/19/2003

8:00 AM

Council Budget Work Session

Wednesday 2/19/2003

5:30 PM

Community Design Commission

Wednesday 2/19/2003

8:00 PM

Rotary Against Drugs: High School Speech Contest

Saturday 2/22/2003

12:00 PM

Council Business Meeting

Monday 2/24/2003

8:00 AM

Street Fair Review Committee Public Forum

Tuesday 2/25/2003

6:00 PM

Council Budget Work Session (set up)

Wednesday 2/26/2003

8:00 AM

Parking Lot Attendant Testing

Wednesday 2/26/2003

9:30 AM

Council Budget Work Session

Wednesday 2/26/2003

4:00 PM

Parking Lot Attendant Testing

Thursday 2/27/2003

4:30 PM

OWASA

Thursday 2/27/2003

6:30 PM


 

 

Use or Group

 

Date

Time of Use/

Reservation

Council Budget Work Session (set up)

Friday 2/28/2003

8:30 AM

Council Budget Work Session

Friday 2/28/2003

12:00 PM

Uses: 23; Days Used: 14

Council Business Meeting (set up)

Monday 3/3/2003

8:00 AM

Council Business Meeting

Monday 3/3/2003

7:00 PM

Planning Board

Tuesday 3/4/2003

6:30 PM

Council Budget Work Session (set up)

Wednesday 3/5/2003

8:30 AM

Council Budget Work Session

Wednesday 3/5/2003

5:30 PM

Board of Adjustment

Wednesday 3/5/2003

8:00 PM

Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board

Thursday 3/6/2003

5:00 PM

Parking Services - Presentation

Monday 3/10/2003

10:00 AM

Planning Department

Thursday 3/13/2003

5:00 PM

Mayor's Habitat Committee

Thursday 3/13/2003

5:30 PM

Historic District Commission

Thursday 3/13/2003

8:00 PM

Rotary Against Drugs: High School Speech Contest

Sunday 3/16/2003

12:00 PM

Council Public Hearing (set up)

Monday 3/17/2003

8:00 AM

Council Public Hearing

Monday 3/17/2003

7:00 PM

Council Energy/Sustainability Workshop

Wednesday 3/19/2003

12:00 PM

Community Design Commission

Wednesday 3/19/2003

6:30 PM

Orange County Bill of Rights Defense Committee

Thursday 3/20/2003

6:30 PM

General Meeting – FAM

Friday 3/21/2003

8:00 AM

Public Arts Commission

Friday 3/21/2003

5:00 PM

Council Business Meeting (set up)

Monday 3/24/2003

8:00 AM

Council Business Meeting

Monday 3/24/2003

7:00 PM

Council Public Forum (set up)

Wednesday 3/26/2003

8:00 AM

Council Public Forum

Wednesday 3/26/2003

7:00 PM

OWASA

Thursday 3/27/2003

6:30 PM

Retirement Recognition – Finance

Friday 3/28/2003

3:00 PM

Uses: 25; Days Used: 15

Planning Board

Tuesday 4/1/2003

6:30 PM

Council Budget Work Session (set up)

Wednesday 4/2/2003

8:00 AM

Council Budget Work Session

Wednesday 4/2/2003

4:00 PM

Board of Adjustment

Wednesday 4/2/2003

6:30 PM

Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board

Thursday 4/3/2003

5:00 PM

Campaign & Candidate Workshop

Saturday 4/5/2003

9:00 AM

Transportation Board Public Forum

Tuesday 4/8/2003

4:00 PM

Historic District Commission

Thursday 4/10/2003

6:30 PM

Council Business Meeting (set up)

Monday 4/14/2003

8:00 AM

Council Business Meeting

Monday 4/14/2003

7:00 PM

Repairs to Audio Visual Equipment

Tuesday 4/15/2003

4:30 PM

Community Design Commission

Wednesday 4/16/2003

6:30 PM

Horace Williams Citizens Committee

Thursday 4/17/2003

5:30 PM


 

 

Use or Group

 

Date

Time of Use/

Reservation

People's Channel

Tuesday 4/22/2003

8:00 AM

Earth Day Summit on Human Population Numbers

Tuesday 4/22/2003

6:00 PM

Council Public Hearing (set up)

Wednesday 4/23/2003

8:00 AM

Council Public Hearing

Wednesday 4/23/2003

7:00 PM

OWASA

Thursday 4/24/2003

6:30 PM

Council Business Meeting (set up)

Monday 4/28/2003

8:00 AM

Council Business Meeting

Monday 4/28/2003

7:00 PM

Personal Safety Seminar – Police

Tuesday 4/29/2003

11:00 AM

Council Budget Work Session (set up)

Wednesday 4/30/2003

8:00 AM

Council Budget Work Session

Wednesday 4/30/2003

5:30 PM

Uses: 23; Days Used: 16

Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board

Thursday 5/1/2003

5:00 PM

Mayor's Committee on Habitat Development

Monday 5/5/2003

5:00 PM

Planning Board

Tuesday 5/6/2003

6:30 PM

Board of Adjustment

Wednesday 5/7/2003

6:30 PM

UNC Development Plan - Information Meeting

Thursday 5/8/2003

4:00 PM

UNC Development Plan  - Advisory Board Meeting

Thursday 5/8/2003

6:30 PM

Historic District Commission

Thursday 5/8/2003

8:00 PM

Council Business Meeting (set up)

Monday 5/12/2003

8:00 AM

Council Business Meeting

Monday 5/12/2003

7:00 PM

Clerk’s Office

Tuesday 5/13/2003

8:30 AM

Street Fair Review Committee Public Forum

Tuesday 5/13/2003

6:00 PM

Council Public Hearing

Wednesday 5/14/2003

8:00 AM

UNC Development Plan Advisory Board Review

Thursday 5/15/2003

7:00 PM

Council Public Hearing (set up)

Monday 5/19/2003

8:00 AM

Council Public Hearing

Monday 5/19/2003

7:00 PM

Bicycle Facility Design

Tuesday 5/20/2003

6:30 PM

Council Budget Work session

Wednesday 5/21/2003

8:00 AM

Community Design Commission

Wednesday 5/21/2003

6:30 PM

OWASA

Thursday 5/22/2003

6:30 PM

OWASA Public Forum

Tuesday 5/27/2003

6:00 PM

Council Business Meeting (set up)

Wednesday 5/28/2003

8:00 AM

Council Business Meeting

Wednesday 5/28/2003

7:00 PM

UNC Development Plan Public Information Meeting

Thursday 5/29/2003

4:00 PM

Joint Meeting: Transportation Board and Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board

Thursday 5/29/2003

6:00 PM

Uses: 24; Days Used: 16

Planning Board

Tuesday 6/3/2003

6:30 PM

Board of Adjustment

Wednesday 6/4/2003

6:30 PM

Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board

Thursday 6/5/2003

5:00 PM

Public Arts Commission

Friday 6/6/2003

5:00 PM

Council Business Meeting (set up)

Monday 6/9/2003

8:00 AM


 

 

Use or Group

 

Date

Time of Use/

Reservation

Council Business Meeting

Monday 6/9/2003

7:00 PM

Town Operations Center Public Information Meeting

Thursday 6/12/2003

4:00 PM

Historic District Commission

Thursday 6/12/2003

8:00 PM

Council Public Hearing (set up)

Monday 6/16/2003

8:00 AM

Council Public Hearing

Monday 6/16/2003

7:00 PM

Community Design Commission

Wednesday 6/18/2003

6:30 PM

Council Business Meeting (set up)

Monday 6/23/2003

8:00 AM

Council Business Meeting

Monday 6/23/2003

7:00 PM

Sandra Perkins Retirement

Tuesday 6/24/2003

2:30 PM

Council Business Meeting (set up)

Wednesday 6/25/2003

8:00 AM

Council Business Meeting-Continuation of 6/23

Wednesday 6/25/2003

7:00 PM

Uses: 16; Days Used: 11

Planning Board

Tuesday 7/1/2003

6:30 PM

Board of Adjustment

Wednesday 7/2/2003

6:30 PM

Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board

Thursday 7/3/2003

5:00 PM

Department Head Review: Public Information Meeting

Thursday 7/10/2003

4:00 PM

Historic District Commission

Thursday 7/10/2003

6:30 PM

Community Design Commission

Wednesday 7/16/2003

6:30 PM

Manager’s Office - Interviews

Thursday 7/17/2003

8:30 AM

OWASA

Thursday 7/24/2003

6:30 PM

Uses: 8; Days Used: 7

Mayor's Committee on UNC Development

Monday 8/4/2003

8:00 AM

Mayor's Committee on UNC Development

Tuesday 8/5/2003

8:00 AM

Planning Board

Tuesday 8/5/2003

6:30 PM

Board of Adjustment

Wednesday 8/6/2003

6:30 PM

Town Hall Meeting w/ Congressman Price

Thursday 8/7/2003

6:30 PM

Historic District Commission

Thursday 8/14/2003

6:30 PM

Mayor’s Committee and UNC

Friday 8/15/2003

8:00 AM

Mayor’s Committee and UNC

Monday 8/18/2003

8:00 AM

Mayor’s Committee and UNC

Monday 8/18/2003

8:00 AM

Public Information Meeting: Binkley Baptist Church

Tuesday 8/19/2003

4:00 PM

Community Design Commission

Wednesday 8/20/2003

6:30 PM

Greenwood Neighborhood Association

Sunday 8/24/2003

6:30 PM

Council Business Meeting (set up)

Monday 8/25/2003

8:00 AM

Council Business Meeting

Monday 8/25/2003

7:00 PM

Council Business Meeting (set up)

Tuesday 8/26/2003

8:00 AM

Council Business Meeting-Continuation

Tuesday 8/26/2003

7:00 PM

OWASA

Thursday 8/28/2003

6:30 PM

Public Arts Commission

Friday 8/29/2003

5:00 PM

Uses: 18; Days Used: 13

Planning Board

Tuesday 9/2/2003

6:30 PM

Board of Adjustment

Wednesday 9/3/2003

6:30 PM

Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board

Thursday 9/4/2003

5:00 PM

Council Business Meeting (set up)

Monday 9/8/2003

8:00 AM

Council Business Meeting

Monday 9/8/2003

7:00 PM

Historic District Commission

Thursday 9/11/2003

6:30 PM

 

Use or Group

 

Date

Time of Use/

Reservation

Council Public Hearing (set up)

Monday 9/15/2003

8:00 AM

Council Public Hearing

Monday 9/15/2003

7:00 PM

Community Design Commission

Wednesday 9/17/2003

6:30 PM

Northwood V Public Information Meeting

Thursday 9/18/2003

3:00 PM

Council Business Meeting (set up)

Monday 9/22/2003

8:00 AM

Council Business Meeting

Monday 9/22/2003

7:00 PM

Sierra Club Candidates' Forum

Tuesday 9/23/2003

6:00 PM

OWASA

Thursday 9/25/2003

6:30 PM

Prudential Informational Sessions

Monday 9/29/2003

10:00 AM

Promotion Award Ceremony

Monday 9/29/2003

3:00 PM

Prudential Informational Sessions

Tuesday 9/30/2003

8:30 AM

Candidate Forum - Community Action Network

Tuesday 9/30/2003

6:00 PM

Uses: 18; Days Used: 13

Fire Department Promotion Ceremony

Wednesday 10/1/2003

3:30 PM

Candidate Forum - Community Action Network

Wednesday 10/1/2003

6:00 PM

Public Information Meeting: Northwood V Phase 3

Thursday 10/2/2003

2:00 PM

Chapel Hill-Carrboro School Board

Thursday 10/2/2003

5:00 PM

Jim Ward (students)

Friday 10/3/2003

11:00 AM

Planning Board

Tuesday 10/7/2003

6:30 PM

Council Meetings (set up)

Wednesday 10/8/2003

8:00 AM

Council Work Session

Wednesday 10/8/2003

5:30 PM

Council Business Meeting

Wednesday 10/8/2003

7:00 PM

Historic District Commission

Thursday 10/9/2003

6:30 PM

Chapel Hill Herald Candidate Forum

Monday 10/13/2003

6:00 PM

League of Women Voters' Candidate Forum

Tuesday 10/14/2003

6:00 PM

Community Design Commission

Wednesday 10/15/2003

6:30 PM

League of Women Voters' Candidate Forum

Thursday 10/16/2003

6:00 PM

Council Public Hearing (set up)

Monday 10/20/2003

8:30 AM

Council Public Hearing

Monday 10/20/2003

7:00 PM

Community Design Commission

Wednesday 10/22/2003

5:00 PM

OWASA

Thursday 10/23/2003

6:30 PM

Council Business Meeting (set up)

Monday 10/27/2003

8:00 AM

Council Business Meeting

Monday 10/27/2003

7:00 PM

Testing – Parking Lot Attendants

Tuesday 10/28/2003

5:30 PM

Chapel Hill Herald Candidate Forum

Wednesday 10/29/2003

6:00 PM

EZ Rider Forum

Thursday 10/30/2003

6:30 PM

Uses: 23; Days Used: 17

 

Average Uses Per Month Over 14-Month Period:  19.0

 

Average Days Used Per Month Over 14-Month Period:  13.1

 

 


ATTACHMENT 2

 

 

5.6 General Meeting Room Policy

 

 

TOWN MEETING SPACE IS TO BE USED TO CONDUCT TOWN BUSINESS AND FOR PUBLIC MEETINGS, ESPECIALLY OF THE TOWN COUNCIL AND ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.  When rooms are not needed for Town Council or advisory board meetings, department or Town staff activities, they may be made available to non-profit community organizations.   Requests will be reviewed according to the following standards:

 

1.   In scheduling, Town functions will take precedence over all other use. Space will be reserved in the following priority order:

 

§         Town Council meetings

§         Meetings sponsored by the Mayor or Council member(s)

§         Other meetings of official Town boards, committees, commissions, task forces and work groups

§         Town-sponsored activities

§         Meetings of other local, State, and federal governmental officials

§         Community groups sponsoring programs of a non-commercial nature (including local precinct meetings).

 
EXCEPTIONS

 

§         Library programs and meetings receive first priority in scheduling of library space. 

§         Library space may be reserved by non-community groups (groups from outside Chapel Hill) sponsoring programs of a non-commercial nature.   

§         Parks and Recreation Department sponsored and co-sponsored activities and programs will have priority in scheduling the use of all Department facilities. 

§         Parks and Recreation Department space may be reserved by non-community groups.  Parks and Recreation Department space may be rented by for-profit organizations.    sponsoring programs.

 

2Governmental meetings shall be open to the public, in accordance with State law.  All nongovernmental programs must be open to the public.

 

EXCEPTIONS

 

§         Library-related organizations may reserve space for members-only events. 

§         Activities held in Parks and Recreation Department facilities may require participants to comply with registration procedures. 

 

3.  All programs must be free of charge.  Nothing may be sold to the public.

 

 

5.6 General Meeting Room Policy  (Con’t)

 

EXCEPTIONS

 

§         Town departments are exempt from this condition.

§         Library-related organizations are exempt from this condition.   

§         Admission may be charged for entrance into Town-owned or controlled areas and facilities in some cases.

 

4.      Use of Town meeting space for regularly recurring meetings is strongly discouraged.  Departments will consider individual requests to schedule a series of meetings, as well as maximum number of uses by an organization within a year, based on Town Council-approved criteria established for that department.

 

5.      Programs may not interfere with the conducting of Town business. 

 

6.      Meeting rooms and equipment will be left in the condition in which they are found.

 

7.      Limited membership groups, including denominational groups, partisan political groups (except partisan precinct meetings which are permitted by State law) and labor organizations – which impose membership requirements – will not be permitted to reserve Town meeting rooms on a regular basis.

 

8.      Organizational representatives must agree to be responsible for any damage done to facilities and equipment.  Extra chairs, equipment, etc. may be provided by the user and must be removed immediately following the meeting or activity.

 

9.   Commercial use of meeting rooms is not permitted.

 

            EXCEPTIONS:

 

§         The Parks and Recreation Department may grant special exemptions to individuals and profit organizations with whom it has entered into a cooperative agreement. 

 

10.  Smoking and alcoholic beverages are not permitted in Town facilities.  Limited consumption of non-alcoholic beverages (water, coffee, soft drinks, etc.) and food is permitted, as long as due care is exercised.

 


ATTACHMENT 3

 

Policies of Other Communities

 

 

Government

Written Policy?

Approvals

Uses Allowed

Hours Available

for Use

Fee

Security Provided

Chapel Hill

Yes

Town Clerk

Non-profit groups only

Monday-Thursday after 5 p.m.  Friday evening or weekend meetings must have a Town staff person present

No

Yes

Carrboro

No

Town Clerk

Non-profit groups only

Monday-Sunday, though weekend meetings must have a Town staff person present.

No

No

Cary

Yes

Council

Non-profit groups only

After 5 p.m.

Monday-Friday

No

No

Durham

 

Yes

Manager

Case-by-case

Case-by-case

No

No

*Durham County

No

Clerk to the Board

Advisory boards, governmental agencies, political forums only

Case-by-case

No

Yes

Greensboro

No

Mayor’s Office

Advisory boards & other government agencies only

Case-by-case

No

No

**Orange County

Yes

Dept. of Social Services

Non-profit groups only

3 – 10 p.m.

 Monday - Friday

No

No

Raleigh

No

Manager

Advisory boards & other government agencies only

Discretion of the Manager

No

No

Wake County

No

Clerk to the Board

Advisory boards & other government agencies only

During regularly scheduled board or agency meeting times

No

No

Wake Forest

No

Town Clerk

Advisory boards & other government agencies only

During regularly scheduled board or agency meeting times

No

No

Winston-Salem

No

Town Clerk

Advisory boards & other government agencies only

During regularly scheduled board or agency meeting times

No

No

 

  *Durham County’s audio-visual equipment is for the use of the County Commissioners only.

**Refers to Orange County’s Southern Human Services Center only.