HomeMy WebLinkAboutRPT 4 USE OF COMM CTR 02-04-80DATE:
JANUARY 29, 1980
REPORTS
No. 4
2-4-80
Inter-Corn
TO:
HONORABLE ~'itYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: DAN BLANKENSHIP, CITY ADMINISTRATOR
SUBJECT: USE OF COM~ftrNITYCENTER
On January 8, 1980, Don Biery approved the use of the C~m~anity Building by a Council
candidate for a fund raiser on February 2, 1980. He did so after checking with Bob
La Voie of the City Attorney's Office who indicated that it was alright as long as tl
candidates were treated equally and there was no written policy to the contrary. I was
not consulted at the time as I was out of the office and did not hear about it until
today.
~ recollections are that Council specifically stated that the building would not be
used for political purposes of any kind other than possibly public service "meet the
candidates" type of programs which are basically neutral in nature. I today checked
with JimR~urke who says that Council should make such a restriction a matter of record
if that is their intention.
Fortunately, the scheduled event will be over before Council meets so that we will not
get into the possibility of a last minute cancellation which could be interpreted as a
political act. Also, the candidate is not an incumbent so that favoritism cannot be
particularly claimed.
If Council's policy is to preclude the use of theCouncil Chambers and Cc~muntiy Center
for political events ~xcept for neutral, public service programs, please indicate
so by motion and we will add it to the written policies and insure it is enforced. If
that is not Council's intention, we likewise need to know.
In any event, I apologize for what I believe to be a failure on staffs part to fully
carry out Council Policy as orally discussed three or four years ago.
Respectfully Submitted,
City Administrator
DB/bb