Free rent Free rent (January 30, 2004)

Council waives fees for Historical Association

By Grace Rauh

The Mountain View Historical Association will no longer be asked to pay the maximum $150-per-hour rate normally charged to groups which rent the city's Adobe Building for private functions.

City Council members voted unanimously Tuesday night to allow the historical society to hold their quarterly meetings for free at the Adobe Building, citing the group's "unique" relationship to the building and city as the motivation behind the arrangement. The historical society will pay for janitorial and insurance costs.

"If it weren't for the efforts of the Historical Association, there wouldn't be an Adobe Building today," said Council member Nick Galiotto. The historical society lobbied the city to restore the building and keep it as a public treasure, he said.

Some council members expressed concern over the proposal because it offers special discounts to only one organization. Council member Mary Lou Zoglin said members of other nonprofit organizations have approached her to ask if they will be treated in the same way.

At some members' urging, the council voted to examine the rates charged to all nonprofits who rent the Adobe Building.

"I think we have to be consistent and fair," said Council member Greg Perry.

E-mail Grace Rauh at grauh@mv-voice.com

E-mail a friend a link to this story.