An updated use policy for the Trotter Convention Center will no longer allow the venue to be used for free, except for official city events.
At Tuesday night’s meeting, the council heard requests for permit approvals for multiple festivals, including the city’s Juneteenth Festival. The festival will begin with a ball at the convention center.
While the council approved the permits, Vice Mayor and Ward 2 Councilman Joseph Mickens moved “that we don’t give the Trotter free to anybody.”
Mickens added that the policy should start in the new year, allowing the center to be used at no charge for this year’s Juneteenth festival.
Mayor Keith Gaskin said that the council created a policy three years ago dictating that if the city was a co-sponsor of an event, or if an event was city-approved, the center could be used at no charge.
District 5 Lowndes County Supervisor Leroy Brooks, who submitted the permit requests for the Juneteenth Festival, told the council the festival’s use of the Trotter was contingent on the fact that the city was a sponsor for the event, which made the venue free.
“If we’ve got to pay, and we know in advance, that’s fine,” Brooks said. “We’re trying to do things that … bring people in, and we do. It’s a very challenging task to raise money. … So to be able to get the Trotter free goes a long way in helping us.”
Ward 3 Councilman Rusty Greene said he understood Mickens’ motion, but he was not a fan of the “blanket statement” that no one could use the center for free.
“But it does seem like we come up every year with some situations where we are partners, or we should be, to join in and offer our facilities and our help to certain organizations,” Greene said. “I kind of hate just making a blanket statement.”
Gaskin admitted the council had not been consistent in deciding which events and organizations could use the center at no charge.
“That’s all I’m saying,” Mickens said. “Be consistent one way or the other. If we’re going to give it, give it to everybody.”
City Attorney Jeff Turnage said he was glad Mickens raised the motion.
“It’s very difficult to decide who you’re going to be a sponsor with,” he said. “It makes life a lot simpler if you just don’t give it (for free).”
The board passed Mickens’ motion unanimously.
CMSD looks for support on bond issue
Columbus Municipal School District Superintendent Stanley Ellis and Chief Financial Officer Holly Rogers asked the council to support the district’s upcoming bond referendum.
Last week, the CMSD Board of Trustees unanimously passed a resolution to hold a special election on May 14 for a bond that would fund $36 million in facility improvements.
If voters approve the bond, the money would be used for updating life safety systems, like fire alarms and sprinkler systems. It would also fund the construction of a new external gymnasium at Stokes-Beard Elementary School and address an ongoing drainage problem at the district’s athletic complex.
“The needs that we have now are greater than what we can do in house, so that’s why we are seeking to vote on a bond for $36 million,” Ellis said.
Rogers assured the council the bond would not result in a tax increase, given it would replace debt rolling off from a $22 million bond issued in 2009 to construct Columbus Middle School.
“The way that we can ensure that there’s no way they can increase due to this bond is we’re keeping our payments the same,” she said. “The need of our district is outside of what we can afford for them. We’ll need the $36 million just to put in normal safety guards that weren’t necessarily required when the buildings (were built).”
Ward 5 Councilman Stephen Jones commended the school district and said he supports the bond issue. Greene suggested the district clarify how the money will be used.
“I’ve had people out to me with concerns that this money may be used for things other than facilities,” Greene said. “I said I did not know that answer, but I would suggest that when you make this tour that you’re perfectly clear. There’s a rumor going around that it might be spent for other things, and that was their reluctance to support.”
Mickens told The Dispatch after the meeting that he was in “total support” of the bond issue.
“(It) should have been done years ago,” he said. “If you walked those facilities and looked at some of the conditions, I mean, we’re a 6A school, and we’re looking like a 2A or 1A school. What (Ellis) is trying to do, and I’m praying that people get behind it, is let us upgrade.”
McRae is a general assignment and education reporter for The Dispatch.
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