AGENDA #5h
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Response to Request by Transportation Employees for Meeting Space
DATE: June 27, 2005
The purpose of this memorandum is to respond to a request for access to meeting space by Town employees who are members of UE Local 150.
BACKGROUND
At the June 15, 2005 Council meeting, Mr. Stanley Norwood, representing UE Local 150, requested that its members and all Town employees be granted the right to meet on Town property, specifically in the meeting room in the Public Works Department. The petitioner requested that employees be allowed to meet on weekends and during the week according to the availability of the room. Mr. Norwood stated that Town employees would attend meetings during their non-work time. Please see attachment 1.
DISCUSSION
We believe that employees who are members of UE Local 150 could schedule meeting space based on availability just as other non-profit community groups.
The use of Town meeting spaces by non-profit community groups is covered by the General Meeting Room Policy. The Policy identifies the meeting spaces that may be available for use by non-profit community groups. Please see Attachment 2.
The Meeting Room Policy states that when rooms are not needed for Town business, the rooms may be made available to non-profit community groups. The Policy also provides scheduling and other related information.
We believe that meeting rooms in the Library and Town Hall, when available, could be scheduled for use by the employee group. Town staff contact information is listed on the attached policy. These staff persons are available to assist groups wishing to schedule use of Town meeting rooms. If meetings are scheduled when buildings would not otherwise be open, there may be an additional charge to cover the cost for security personnel.
The petition specifically requested that the Public Works conference room be made available for use by members of UE Local 150. This room is not available for use in accord with the Meeting Room Policy.
CONCLUSION
The Town of Chapel Hill Meeting Room Policy provides guidelines to allow non-profit community groups to use Town meeting spaces. We believe that Town employee groups are allowed to schedule use of meeting spaces in accordance with established guidelines.
ATTACHMENTS