The Washington City Council Monday night tabled a draft proposal for fees for the concert stage and events center.
The draft proposal was forwarded to the council earlier this month.
Darren Dunkle, parks director, told the council that the difficulty in formulating the fees was that there are so many groups who may want to use the facility — ranging from families wanting to rent the lower level, to larger groups requesting to rent the whole facility or host fund-raisers.
Dunkle has been working for several weeks to create the rates.
Before passing the rental rates, council members said they wanted to get comments on the fee structure from the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce, which is helping fund the stage and events center.
A representative of the Washington Knights of Columbus asked if there was a possibility of the city cosponsoring an event in order to get a lower rental rate.
To discuss the Knights of Columbus request and to get input from the Chamber, the council tabled the discussion until its January administrations/operations committee meeting.
Rates
The proposed rates include several different classifications including city-sponsored, private, nonprofit and commercial events.
City-sponsored events will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Proposed fees are broken down as follows:
Nonticketed Events
Entire amphitheater — private, $400 resident and $500 general rate; nonprofit, $500 resident and $625 general rate; commercial, $600 resident and $750 general rate.
Stage — private, $50 resident and $63 general rate; nonprofit, $80 resident and $100 general; commercial, $113 resident and $141 general rate.
Lower level — private, $100 resident and $125 general rate; nonprofit, $160 resident and $200 general rate; commercial, $225 resident and $281 general rate.
The base fee covers four hours of usage for each activity. If additional time is needed, time is charged on a prorated hourly basis.
Ticketed Events
The proposed base rental fee for ticketed events is private, $400 resident and $500 general rate; nonprofit, $500 resident and $625 general rate; and commercial, $600 resident and $750 general rate.
The draft base rental fee covers 12 hours. There is a fee of $50 per each additional hour or $63 for nonresidents.
In addition to the base rental fee, there is a proposed fee of $1 per each individual in attendance.
Other Proposed Fees
Lessees must obtain a business license from the city for concessions, merchandise or souvenir sales and pay $200 per vendor.
If it is requested that Veterans Drive be closed, the city will require a $300 fee per day.
Draft rules are similar to those of special events, Dunkle said.
Dan Cassette, board member, requested that comment cards be provided for those using the facility.
Rental fees will be established and approved on an annual basis.
The proposal was sent to the city council, which will vote on it at a later meeting.
