Council Meeting: March 7, 2000 Santa Monica, California

ITEM 6-G

T0: Mayor and City Council

FROM: City Staff

SUBJECT: Recommendation for City Council to Waive Rental Fees for the Use of the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on April 29, 2000 for the 70^th Anniversary Santa Monica College Symphony Orchestra Gala

This report recommends that City Council waive the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium rental fee for the 70^th Santa Monica College Anniversary Orchestra Concert Gala on April 29, 2000.

Santa Monica College is celebrating its 70^th anniversary this year and has planned a Gala Concert featuring the Santa Monica College Orchestra and the Concert Chorale. The Santa Monica College Concert Hall stage cannot accommodate the 225 performers involved nor can the hall seat the expected audience of 1,500. The College has requested a waiver of the rental fee for the Auditorium and permission to charge an admission fee to pay direct costs, including union stagehand fees. Resolution number 3579 (CCS) stipulates that free use of the Auditorium cannot be given to groups that charge an admission fee. Exceptions have been made for the Stairway to the Stars program and the Santa Monica High School Band Concert produced by Santa Monica High School. The Gala will be included as an iam2m Santa Monica Millenium event.

The value of the waived rental is $5,500. Labor and equipment cost will be paid by Santa Monica College.

It is recommended that the City Council waive the rental fee associated with the use of the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium for the 70^th Anniversary Gala on April 29, 2000 and allow an admission fee to be charged to defray direct costs.

Prepared by: Barbara Stinchfield, Community and Cultural Services Director

Carole A. Curtin, Event Facilities Manager