Mayfield Village Sets Policy for Civic Center Use

With no written policy, officials haven't been sure who should be charged to rent the Civic Center.

A new policy drafted by the mayor, law department and village administration allows local organizations to use the facility for free, sets a fee for nonprofit organizations and discourages use by for-profit entities.

"We've never had a written policy, we've just handle them on a case-by-case basis," village Administrator Diane Wolgamuth said. "Some groups have been using this place longer than we've been here – AA, Gambler's Anonymous."

Many business and community groups use the Civic Center and Wolgamuth said it's not always clear who should be charged.

"It's really hard sometimes to make that determination," she said.

The policy states that scheduling priority is given to government functions and when not needed for that purpose, meeting space is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

It also states that, "Local organizations whose membership consists of residents of Mayfield Village and whose purpose and activities serve to promote and enhance the community, such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Mayfield Township Historical Society, Mayfield Village Garden Club, and Village Quilters, shall be charged no direct rental fee for use of the Civic Center."

Village-authorized functions, such as Red Cross blood drives, County Board of Health vaccination clinics and theater programs presented by the Fairmount Center for the Arts are also allowed to use the center for free.

Nonprofit groups, such as AA and Gambler's Anonymous, are to be charged $7.50 per hours, up to a maximum of $20 per day. For-profit rental is $15 per hour, up to $100 per day.

"That's for upkeep and custodial services," Wolgamuth said. "In regards to for-profit groups, there will be very few."