Correspondence - #25 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Orozco, Norma From: Leon Raya < Sent: Monday,July 31, 2023 10:59 PM To: eComment Subject: Support for item 25 August 1, 2023 Dear Mayor and City Council, I am writing to express my support for item 425 which is asking the City Manager and staff to reconsider the fees charged to neighborhood associations,community groups and Santa Ana based non-profits for use of City facilities. I think the fees can and should be re-visted in light of the negative impact they can have. I agree that a fee of some sort should be charged and I understand the desire to have a transparent process for use of City resources. I don't think trying to recover cost at the expense of organizations who build involvement and pride in our community is a good idea_ The amount of revenue generated by these fees is miniscule in view of the entire budget.It also pales in comparison to some of the approved expenditures. The City needs to build their collaborative relationships with groups who provide positive services and activities to our residents. It also needs to make use of City facilities as affordable and accessible as possible to these groups. In prior years City agencies and City staff worked in partnership with such groups. Recently it seems as if things have become very transactional. Additionally,just as Council stresses the need to make doing private business in this City more convenient,it should stress the same approach towards community organizations. It should be a win win approach rather than finding ways to say no. I don't think anyone is in favor of wholesale free and unregulated use of these resources. Perhaps a policy limiting the size,number and types of reduced fee events/activities can be implemented. Understanding the history of organizations and their past work is important. There has been a turn over in staff that has resulted in loss of instructional knowledge. Success for improving the the livability of our City depends on strong,honest and positive relationships that work together to serve residents. This requires policies that enable this to happen rather than policies and attitudes that stymie community collaboration. Thank you. 1