By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
The Village of Edgerton Rules Committee met on Monday, March 9 at Village Hall.
Committee members in attendance were Leslie VanAusdale, Jason Gruver, and Brian Bowsher. Also in attendance were Mayor Robert Day, Village Administrator Dawn Fitzcharles, and Fiscal Officer Denise Knecht.
VanAusdale shared her concerns regarding the originally suggested rental rates and offered recommendations in hopes of better serving the community and ensuring rentals by offering reduced rates, possible tiered pricing, and introductory rate pricing for the first year of operation.
The goal of the meeting was to discuss and to find a way to make the building more affordable for the community while still being equitable for the village.
Finding the right rental price point includes the consideration of many factors such as type of event, whether the event is scheduled on a weekday or a weekend, if security services are required, alcohol fee, insurance requirements, and special allowances for non-profit or civic organizations determined by the administration.
Fitzcharles commented that the projected debt service for this type of project at $1.6 million would have an estimated annual payment of approximately $54,000. This annual revenue stream required to cover costs does not include utilities, insurance, or employee expenses for cleaning and maintenance.
Although the village did not issue debt for the community center, this process is being applied as a rule of thumb for projecting budgeted revenues and expenses.
Applying this approach would allow for the upkeep and maintenance of the building.
Initially, the center would not require maintenance since it is new, but over time there will be upkeep costs and replacement value must be considered. The break-even goal is to generate $54,000 in annual revenue for future costs.
It was discussed how to fairly handle rentals for non-profit and local civic organizations. It was determined that this could be handled outside of the rate structure and at the discretion of the village administration.
The conference room will be available to rent for smaller groups. It may or may not be used simultaneously with the large part of the building, depending on agreement between both parties to share restrooms.
Holding community events was also discussed. If an event is open to everyone, it could be at no charge.
Day suggested opening the building for community pickleball but was met with opposition. Concerns were voiced about the pickleballs bouncing off the walls and making scuffs or dirty marks or balls breaking windows.
VanAusdale noted that pickleball courts are to be painted with the refinishing of the Town Hall gym floor for community use and suggested to see what the demand is and not allow any sports in the community center.
She remembered that after the last Rules Committee meeting, there was a mention of sports teams wanting to use the new center. Committee members were not in support of sporting activities happening in the new building.
After much discussion about community center rules, deposit fees, rental fees and other services, the Rules Committee agreed on a proposed table of rental rates including deposits, alcohol fees and security (police) fees to be presented at the council meeting on Wednesday, March 18.
Update: Coverage of the March 18 Edgerton Village Council meeting is now available — the community center rules recommendation was postponed to April 1.