City of Gainesville - File #: 110445.

• File #: 110445.
• Version: 1
• Name: Outside Agencies Using the City Commission Auditorium (B)
• Type: Staff Recommendation
• Status: Passed
• File created: 12/1/2011
• In control: Audit, Finance and Legislative Committee
• Final action: 12/1/2011
• Title: Outside Agencies Using the City Commission Auditorium (B)

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
12/1/2011	1	City Commission	Approved as Amended	Pass
11/14/2011	0	Audit, Finance and Legislative Committee	Recommended for Approval
10/20/2011	0	City Commission	Referred	Pass

Title

Outside Agencies Using the City Commission Auditorium  (B)

Explanation

This referral was brought forward by Mayor-Commissioner Pro Tem Thomas Hawkins at the October 20, 2011 City Commission meeting, where it was referred to the Audit, Finance and Legislative Committee.  After discussing this item during their November 14, 2011 meeting, the Committee agreed by consensus to recommend to the City Commission that the City Commission Meeting Facilities Policy be amended to allow the auditorium and City Hall meeting rooms to be used for "Open candidate forums conducted by 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) organizations not endorsing or opposing a candidate or political party."  The facilities will only be available for such forums on Saturdays and Sundays when the rooms are not needed by the City and all costs of providing the facilities will be paid by the organization.  The Clerk of the Commission, City Manager and City Attorney will ensure that a standard contract documenting the arrangement, costs and indemnification of the City will be executed with the organization prior to the event.  A copy of the current City Commission Meeting Facilities Policy and a memo from the President of the League of Women Voters of Alachua County/Gainesville have been attached to this item as backup.

Recommendation

The City Commission approve amending the City Commission Meeting Facilities Policy to allow the auditorium and City Hall meeting rooms to be used for "Open candidate forums conducted by 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) organizations not endorsing or opposing a candidate or political party," under the conditions set forth in the explanation of this item.