ORDINANCE NO. 10-2025
Amendment to Ordinance governing use of Amite Community Center.
WHEREAS, the Town of Amite City owns and maintains the Amite Community Center.
WHEREAS, the City Council for the Town of Amite City wishes to update the ordinance setting forth the rules and regulations governing use of the Amite Community Center to better reflect current usage.
THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Mayor and the City Council for the Town of Amite City that Part 6 – Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, Chapter 2 – Recreation, Article B – Community Center, be hereby amended as follows:
Section 6-2021. Use of center generally.
The following rules shall be observed when using the Community Center:
(1) Dancing is permitted at wedding receptions and private parties only.
(2) The Community Center is not available for concert or dances, however, church functions are allowed.
Section 6-2022. Same—Charges.
(a) A deposit of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) is due at the time the reservation is made. The rental fee is due fourteen (14) days before the event is held.
(b) The rental fee is Seven Hundred Dollars ($700.00) per day for Friday and Saturday rentals. The rental fee is Four Hundred Dollars ($400.00) per day for Sunday through Thursday rentals.
(c) The rental fee for an Amite-area non-profit organization, with an Amite ZIP code, is Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) per day for Sunday through Thursday rentals. Friday and Saturday rentals shall be charged at the rate set forth above. A copy of an IRS determination letter stating 501-C3 status must be attached to the contract if the applicant is a non-profit organization.
(d) Any Amite-area church can use the community center provided they have been established for five (5) years or more, have an Amite area physical address, have an Amite ZIP code, and furnish the IRS determination letter stating 501-C3 status. The rental fee for an Amite-area church, with an Amite ZIP code, is Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) per day for Sunday through Thursday rentals. Friday and Saturday rentals shall be charged at the rate set forth above.
(e) The community center is not available for rent for personal or business events that result in a profit, or that charge a fee for admission unless the renter is an Amite-area non-profit organization or church with an Amite physical address. A copy of an IRS determination letter stating 501-C3 status must be attached to the contract stating it is a non-profit organization.
(f) The community center is available for political events that do not result in fundraising activities for a fee of Seven Hundred Dollars ($700.00) per day and a deposit of one Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) per day.
(g) The community center is available for fundraisers for terminally-ill residents of Amite on a case-by-case basis, as determined by the mayor, for the same fees as an Amite non-profit organization with an Amite ZIP code.
(h) The renter is required to provide at least one (1) off-duty Amite Police Department officer for events occurring between the hours of 6:00 pm and 12:00 a.m. Security for any other event shall be at the discretion of the City and shall be the responsibility of renter.
(i) If the use of the community center is not as stated in the contract, the deposit will be forfeited.
(j) A deposit of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00), plus the applicable rental fees, is due for each day the community center is rented.
(k) Cancellations must be made at least fourteen (14) days in advance of the day of the rental or the deposit will be forfeited.
(l) Damage fees will be assessed according to the damage.
(m) A Fifty Dollar ($50.00) fee will be assessed if the community center key is not returned.
Section 6-2023. Same—Other.
(a) Decorations may be applied with masking tape only to the walls and should be removed at the end of the event. No scotch tape, packing tape, or staples are allowed.
(b) There is not a P.A. system available.
(c) Each renter is responsible for setting up and taking down tables and chairs. Tables and chairs are to be returned to designated storage areas upon conclusion of the event.
(d) The renter is to pick up the key to the Community Center the day of the event and return the same day. If city hall is not open, then the renter is to pick up and/or return the key to the Amite Police Department. A receipt for payment in full must be presented to receive the key. There will be no exceptions.
(e) The Community Center key will be given after 7:00 a.m. on the day of the event. Keys are not available earlier than 7:00 a.m. to ensure the facility is clean and available.
(f) If the Community Center is needed the day before the event for decorations, set up, or for any other reason, the renter must reserve the Community Center and pay a full-day rental fee.
(g) The deposit will be returned if the following guidelines are adhered to:
(1) All tables and chairs must be folded and returned to the storage area.
(2) The floor must be swept and mopped.
(3) All trash must be bagged and set in the garbage receptacles on the west side of the building. All trash on the outside grounds must be picked up.
(4) There is no damage to the premises, including, but not limited to, damage from decorations.
(5) The Community Center keys must be returned on the day of the event.
(6) The Community Center and outside grounds will be inspected before the deposit is returned. If any of the above is not complete, the deposit will be forfeited.
On a motion by Charles “Mose” Guzzardo, seconded by Shirley Core, the foregoing ordinance was hereby declared adopted this first day of July, 2025 by the following vote:
YEAS: Maria Coleman, Shirley Core, Charles “Mose” Guzzardo, Kenyetta Richardson, Rose Sumrall
NAYS: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
Attest:
_______________________ ________________________
Jewel McCoy, City Clerk Walter Daniels III, Mayor