A staff memo accompanying the resolution describes Liberty Plaza – located on the southwest corner of Division and Liberty – as a problem park. The intent of waiving rental fees is to encourage activity there, such as the weekly Sonic Lunch series that’s sponsored by the Bank of Ann Arbor.  The memo states: “The waived rental fee can then be promoted with a goal of attracting additional musicians, performers, and other events at Liberty Plaza.”

The waiver also addresses a concern that has been raised regarding the “Pizza in the Park” event. At the May 20, 2013 Ann Arbor city council meeting, several people spoke to oppose the fee that was apparently charged to the Vineyard Church of Ann Arbor as part of its Friday evening homelessness ministry, which the church conducts at Liberty Plaza. At the council’s June 3 meeting, there was some follow-up during public commentary that included an interest in getting some kind of written commitment from the city that the fee would not be charged to the church.

The staff memo to PAC explicitly cites Pizza in the Park, noting that this waiver would assist that event and similar humanitarian efforts. The memo states that a waiver for all activities “would simultaneously remove the need for staff to determine which activities are worthy of waiving fees. Instead, any number of social, cultural, and recreational activities that are of benefit to the community could take advantage of the proposed fee waiver.”

This brief was filed from the second floor council chambers at city hall, where PAC holds its meetings. A more detailed report will follow: [link]

Fees haven’t been increased at Gallup Park meeting room since 2007, and the facility is undergoing major renovations this summer that were approved by the city council on April 1, 2013. As an example of the fee increases that would take effect in January of 2014, a resident of Ann Arbor could rent the meeting room for 2-10 hours at $40/hour – up from the current rate of $25/hour for 2-4 hours and $30/hour for 5-10 hours.

For Cobblestone, rental fees – which were last increased in 2006 – would go up 4%. The base rental time would also increase from 10 to 15 hours. For example, a resident of Ann Arbor who rented Cobblestone for a Saturday event during the months of May through September would pay $1,560 compared to the previous fee of $1,200. The new rates would take effect in July of 2013.

These recommendations will be forwarded to city council for its consideration.

This brief was filed from the second-floor council chambers at city hall, located at 301 E. Huron. A more detailed report will follow: [link]