Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-05-22 RMLD Board of Commissioners Policy Committee Minutes,R v- C L IV L Reading Municipal Light Department Boarc (@ qIe-W5 Aers Policy Committee Min*s U 1, ; s a May 22, 2009 Start Time of Regular Session: 8:10 a.m. MR A I I P 12: 4b End Time of Regular Session: 8:50 a.m. Attendees: Committee Members: Ms. O'Neill, Messrs. Pacino, Soli RMLD Staff. Mr. Cameron Nimble Thimblers: Theresa Jamieson, Rita Robertson Sue Joyce, Mary Wignall Ms. O'Neill opened the meeting by stating that the RMLD's Policy Committee had looked into the issue of the use of the RMLD's Cafeteria by outside groups and had developed a new set of criteria. Ms. O'Neill went on to say that the RMLD Policy had not changed but the RMLD was going to charge for the use of the Cafeteria. The cost would be $25 for three hours use and $10 for each additional hour. However, the groups directly related to the four towns (Police, Fire, DPW, etc.) the RMLD serves will not be charged the fee but will have to abide by all other rules for use. Ms. O'Neill then opened the issue for discussion. Ms. Robertson said that the Nimble Thimblers felt this was being done because of other groups, not hers, breaking the rules of Cafeteria use. Ms. Robertson went on to say that she talked with her Board of Directors and had the following concerns: What was the process for making the change to the use policy? - Will the new rules be applied universally to all groups? Where is the money going? They felt they were discouraged from using the space. Will the groups that have been discouraged from using the RMLD space be invited back? In their opinion, the RMLD has created an adversarial relationship. Ms. O'Neill and Mr. Cameron replied to these concerns. Ms. O'Neill expressed her opinion that it was important to move forward and work out a procedure that will work for everyone, rather than focusing on how the change originated. She explained that municipal groups associated with the four towns served by the RMLD are viewed slightly differently than the non-profit/volunteer groups that use the cafeteria. Mr. Cameron went on to say that the rules would be applied universally except for the four towns not being charged fees. Mr. Cameron also said that the money collected for use of the Cafeteria would be part of the general fund used for the operations of the RMLD. Mr. Cameron didn't believe the RMLD had done anything to discourage the groups from using the Cafeteria. He assured Ms. Robertson and her group that the other groups would be invited back. Ms. Robertson stated that the new cost to use the Cafeteria would not discourage the Nimble Thimblers from using the Cafeteria. Ms. Robertson went on to say that she hoped that the relationship with the RMLD could be repaired and be as positive as it had been before.