HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR 20381: CHANGE TO THE POLICY AT THE ROBERT A. "BOB" BOWERS CIVIC CENTER P. R. No. 20381
9/6/18 AS
Memorandum
City of Port Arthur, Texas
Robert A. `Bob"Bowers Civic Center
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council
Through: Harvey Robinson, Interim City Manager
From: Adam J Saunders, Civic Center Dir
RE: Proposed Resolution No. #20381
Introduction:
The intent of this Agenda Item is a resolution authorizing changes in policy at the Robert A.
"Bob" Bowers Civic Center. The changes are to require attendees, to events such as class
reunions and others where an invitation is required, to wear a city-approved wrist band; and
rename the refundable cleaning deposit to a Building Deposit, increased from $500.00 to
$1,000.00.
Background:
During recent events at the Civic Center there have been security problems.
Requiring City approved wrist bands to be worn will reduce over-attendance. It will also
easily identify those invited and also identify those not invited.
There have also been cleaning and fee payment problems. These have been organizers and/or
participants not wanting to clean up after an event as required and issues related to payment of
security and other fees.
Increasing the refundable Cleaning Deposit of $500.00 to $1000.00, and renaming it a
Building Deposit, will give sufficient encouragement for proper clean up and give enough
funds to the Civic Center to cover unpaid/underpaid security. It will also cover any additional
fees related to organizers not being out of the building at the contracted time and damage to the
building or equipment. This will continue to be a refundable deposit, returned to the
organizer(s) if they fulfill the requirements.
Budget Impact:
No budget impact
Recommendation:
It is recommended that City Council approve the changes in policy at the Robert A. "Bob"
Bowers Civic Center, as discussed and/above.
"Remember,we are here to serve the Citizens of Port Arthur"
3401 Cultural Center Drive X Port Arthur,Texas 77642 X 409.985.8801
P. R. No. 20381
9/6/18 AS
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CHANGE TO THE
POLICY AT THE ROBERT A. "BOB" BOWERS CIVIC
CENTER.
WHEREAS, the Bob Bowers Civic Center has recently experienced security problems
and other issues; and
WHEREAS, the Bob Bowers Civic Center has also experienced problems with cleaning
and fee payments; and
WHEREAS, the proposed changes in policy will increase the Cleaning Deposit of
$500.00 to $1000.00, and renaming it as a Building Deposit; and
WHEREAS, the change in policy will also require all invited guests to have and wear a
City approved wrist band; and
WHEREAS, these changes in policy will easily identify those invited to an event and
give sufficient encouragement for proper clean up and give enough funds to the Civic Center to
cover unpaid/underpaid security deposits and other fees.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR:
Section 1. That the facts and opinions in the preamble are true and correct;
Section 2. That, the City Council of the City of Port Arthur hereby approves the
changes in policy to require all invited guests to have and wear a City approved wrist band and
rename the refundable Cleaning Deposit to a Building Deposit and increase it from $500.00 to
$1000.00 at the Robert A. "Bob" Bowers Civic Center.
Section 3. That, the City Council deems it is in the best interest of the City to
approve and authorize the City Manager to authorize the changes in policy at the Robert A.
"Bob" Bowers Civic Center.
Section 4. That, the proposed changes will hereby be incorporated into current Civic
Center Rules and Regulation attached hereto as "Exhibit A".
Section 5. That, a copy of the caption of this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes
of the City Council.
PR 20381
P. R. No. 20381
9/6/18 AS
READ, ADOPTED, AND APPROVED, this day of September, 2018, A.D., at a
Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, Texas by the following vote:
AYES:
Mayor: ,
Councilmembers: ,
•
NOES: .
Derrick Freeman, Mayor
ATTEST:
Sherri Bellard, City Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
VIl - pe.af
Valecia Tiz no, City Attorney
APPROVED FOR ADMINISTRATION:
Harvey Robinson, Interim City Manager
APPR D TO FUND AVAILABILITY:
0 / i/
.. 4L/4.11(--2f-e--1 ,
Andy Vasquez, CPA Clifton illiams, CPPB
Director of Finance Purchasing Manager
PR 20381
Initials are your acknowledgement you have been given the Civic Center Rules and
Regulations, you understand them and accept them for your event. Int
Civic Center
City of Port Arthur
Rules and Regulations
Booking Policies and Procedures
1. A date may be placed on hold by the Civic Center Director only, and will be good for
up to four weeks.
a. Once the four weeks has passed, and no confirmation with contract in
process,the date will be available for other groups
b. If another group wants the date with a hold already on the date, and it is near
the end of the four weeks,the person with the first hold will be contacted to
see if the person(s) is/are still interested in keeping the date.
c. If the person(s)with the first hold still wants to the date,they have to give all
information for a contract immediately and the deposit will not be refundable
for any cancellation.
2. Cancellations
a. Cancellation of a date must be in writing.
b. If event is cancelled at least six months prior to the date of the event, any
money paid will be refunded.
c. Any event cancelled less than six months prior to the date of the event, no
money paid will be refunded.
d. The Director of the Civic Center has discretion to refund money paid
depending on extreme circumstances for cancellation and/or other
extenuating circumstances and/or the date is rebooked in short order.
3. No event can be confirmed more than 18 months in advance. Exceptions to this are
annual events, such as the Gun Shows, Bird Show,Mardi Gras Balls, Mexican
Heritage Festival, and other events approved by the Civic Center Director.
4. No more than two events can be on hold for any one date. Extreme exceptions can
be made with the approval of the Director of the Civic Center on rare occasions.
5. The terms of the Civic Center Rental Agreement shall constitute the full and
complete agreement between the parties. No verbal agreements shall alter the Rental
Agreement. Any change must be signed by the Director and Lessee.
6. A date is not reserved until a signed rental agreement and deposit is received by the
Civic Center.
7. The designated deposit will be returned to the lessee within (30)days of the event, if
the facility was returned in satisfactory condition. If repairs or damages occur to the
facility this deposit will be retained.
8. The Civic Center cannot be utilized by anyone without a signed contract outlining
the space rented.
9. Rental rates are subject to change and vary depending on space.
10. The Lessee is responsible for notifying the Civic Center of the room set-up no less
Int than 10 working days prior to the event date. Additional charges may apply for
changes after this date. No changes or adjustments can be made the day of the event.
Int 11. The facility rental fees include only one set-up. Once the building is set to agreed
upon layout no adjustments can be made. This includes, but is not limited to,
additional tables, removal of chairs, or any outside tables or chairs brought in by the
Lessee or his/her designee or participant.
12. The person listed as the contact on the contract is the only person that can make
changes to the agreement. All other parties need to go through this contact to make
changes.
13. Final payment of all charges is due 14 days prior to the event.
Int 14. If the Lessee renting the facility at the 'rates specified needs a day or days prior to
and/or immediately following an event for the purpose of moving equipment etc., in
or out of the facility, or for rehearsing,the charge will be 60%of the applicable one-
day event. Any side draping requires one move-in day and one additional move-out
hour. Any ceiling draping will require a rental of a minimum of three (3) move-in
days.
15. The Lessee is responsible for all.
Facility Rules & Regulations
1. Lessee shall leave the rented rooms at the facility in good condition. A cleaning
deposit of$500.00 is in place for each rental, and will apply for the facility, if they
do not meet inspection for satisfactory condition at the conclusion of the event.
2. Trash clean-up is the responsibility of the Lessee. You are responsible to put all
trash in the trash receptacles provided. The Civic Center staff will be responsible for
taking the trash to the dumpsters.
Int 3. All events must end by 1:00 am, and Lessee must be out of the facility by 2:00 am,
or additional charges will apply.
4. The event time on your contract includes set-up and tear-down times.
Int 5. Maximum attendance for the main hall is 1200 for banquet type events.
6. Civic Center Personnel are the only authorized individuals that shall be permitted to
set-up,tear-down or rearrange the tables and chairs that are provided by the Civic
Center. Civic Center Personnel are not authorized to set up,tear down, or rearrange
specialty items and chairs provided by outside vendors.
Int Furthermore, Lessee, nor anyone in attendance or working an event, is allowed to
move any tables, chairs, equipment or any item owned by the Civic Center.
7. All items brought on-site by the Lessee must be removed by the Lessee.
8. The Civic Center is a smoke free facility. Tobacco is only allowed in designated
areas outside the building.
Int 9. All decorations must be free standing. No balloons that are lighter than air are
allowed. Nothing may be affixed to any walls,windows, curtain rods, or other
building surfaces. No nails, pins,tape, glue, adhesive, sparklers, rice, sawdust or
glitter is permitted. Some exceptions to this rule can be made as it relates to pipe and
drape. This must be approved in writing, in advance(by the Civic Center Director)
and items must not exceed weight bearing of the pipe and be affixed only w/string,
fishing line or similar device(s).
10. All flames must be surrounded by glass. Melted wax must be contained.
11. Loading and unloading is done through the roll up doors and the rear doors.
Vehicles may not be left unattended at these entrances. Some loading is allowed
through the front Lobby doors,but only with written permission by the Civic Center
Director.
12. The Civic Center must be advised of all third party vendors.
13. All kegs must be contained in an insulated cooler or sealed container to prevent
leakage.
14. The Lessee is responsible for the return of all Civic Center assets such as: Dollies,
Carts, extension cords, etc.
Int 15. The Lessee is responsible for the cost of security and is a separate payment made
directly to the officer(s) and is not part of the fees/money owed to the Civic Center.
The hourly rate is not set by the Civic Center, but is the going rate. Security must be
a City of Port Arthur Police Officer, unless one is not available or written permission
is given by the Civic Center Director. The security is scheduled through the Civic
Center only. The level of security, and what event(s)require security, is determined
by the Civic Center Director, with consultation with the Port Arthur Police
Department, only.
16. Automobiles will not be permitted inside the building unless written authorization
has been given. In the event any automobile is for display, all fire regulations
pertaining to exhibits must be strictly adhered to and followed. Liquid or gas filled
vehicle fuel tanks or fill openings must be closed and sealed to prevent tampering.
Under carriage protection for old and late model automobiles must be used at all
times. There must be less than five (5) gallons or 1/4 tank (whichever is less) of
gasoline in each automobile. Every battery must be disconnected once inside the
building.
17. Lessee must have written permission from the Civic Center Director to connect
Lessee equipment or item(s)to any of the facilities' electrical or communication
systems. Lessee will be responsible for having a licensed technician or Civic Center
staff to make connection and disconnection. Accessibility to equipment rooms and
utility boxes is prohibited without authorization from the Civic Center Director.
18. Lessee must be prudent when stacking items or equipment on tables, stages or chairs.
Lessee must use good judgment in weight distribution. Tables, chairs,and stages are
designed for minimum amount of weight and items or equipment should be
distributed evenly over them to prevent overloading.
19. For all doors, a 10' clearance on both sides(egress and ingress)with no physical
obstruction must be maintained at all times.All Exit doors must remain unlocked
during all show hours (Aisle space must be 5' minimum).
20. The Civic Center staff must have complete accessibility to all meeting areas, kitchen
areas, corridors and hallways before, during and after all events. The Civic Center
Director must authorize in writing any exclusivity to an area.
21. Nothing may be hung, attached to or suspended from any part of the facility without
Int the express written consent of the Civic Center Director.
22. Lessee must furnish the City, at least fourteen (14) days prior to the event, a
Int Certificate of Insurance proving that a public liability insurance policy is in effect in
which the Lessee is named as insured. The City of Port Arthur, must also be named
as additional or co-insured party. The details of this requirement are spelled out in
the Lease Agreement.
23. All items that are left after an event will be kept in the Civic Center office area for a
period of thirty(30)days. The City of Port Arthur will not be held responsible for
these items in any way. The City of Port Arthur is not responsible for vehicle damage
or theft.
24. The Civic Center Marquee is for events at the Civic Center, and is, at times, also for
events/activities at the Library and Texas Artists Museum. Public Events at the
Int Civic Center will be displayed no more than a month in advance of the starting date.
Private events will be displayed at the request of the Lessee. In the case of multiple
events at the Civic Center,the marquee must be shared by the various events.