The Hollister Recreation Division will host a public meeting
Thursday, May 15 from 6-8 p.m. in the City Council chambers at City
Hall to discuss policies for the Veterans’ Memorial Building, which
will be re-dedicated on Memorial Day after a nine-month
renovation.
The Hollister Recreation Division will host a public meeting Thursday, May 15 from 6-8 p.m. in the City Council chambers at City Hall to discuss policies for the Veterans’ Memorial Building, which will be re-dedicated on Memorial Day after a nine-month renovation.
Anyone interested in renting the facility for an event is welcome to attend, according to Recreation Division Manager Robert Ornelas, who will be on hand to talk about rental policies, including fees.
“It’s to allow the community to known first-hand what the processes will be and how much it’s going to cost,” he said. “This gives them the opportunity to ask any questions they may have.”
He hopes the meeting will prevent a large number of residents from coming individually to the Recreation Division office and asking many of the same questions.
“We’ll address them all at once,” he said.
Ornelas and other staff members will identify dates the building is reserved by city and veterans groups, which get first priority. Applications will also be available for people to request dates for the facility.
As of now, no one has officially reserved the building after the May 22 “Spotlight on Hollister” trade show and job fair.
The Recreation Division recently released its recommended fee schedule for the building to the City Council, whose members suggested several changes. Those alterations should get final approval at the Council’s next regular meeting May 19.
If the suggestions become reality, there will be five categories for charging rental fees. They include, from least expensive to most expensive, city and veterans groups, non-profit organizations, private social groups, business groups and commercial groups. Additionally, the Council recommended residents outside San Benito County be assessed a 20 percent surcharge for renting the building.
Officials designed the fee structure with hopes for widespread affordability throughout the community. Under the current proposal, the city estimates the building’s operational budget next year would carry a $173,000 deficit.
Ornelas said information gathered from the public meeting may be added to the policy book before the Council meeting.
Most feedback regarding the renovations and policies has been positive so far, he said.
“Everybody’s been pretty receptive,” he said.
For questions about the building or to confirm attendance at the meeting, call the Recreation Division at 636-4390.
