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Highlands Today

Civic Center Gets Extra Alcohol Deposit

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By JOE SEELIG

Highlands Today

Published: October 27, 2008

SEBRING - Those who rent the Sebring Civic Center and serve alcohol will now be required to pay an extra deposit.

The Council amended the rules to add that extra deposit.

The additional amount will be $350 on top of the $250 deposit if alcohol is served.

While the idea was not the direct result of an incident earlier this year when the Avon Park Civic Center was trashed during a party that served alcohol, it was a factor, according to City Clerk Kathy Haley.

"It was something we were looking at already," said Haley. "But, it was an additional factor. We've been lucky. We've really not had problems there."

Violation of rules may result in loss of the right to rent the center in the future. Failure to comply with any of the city's rules may result in a deduction from the deposit.

There will be a $25 charge deducted from the deposit if the key is not returned the next business day, or the renter may be charged the cost of re-keying the locks if the key is lost.

After an extended discussion about why some groups need insurance and others don't, the Sebring City Council approved a request by Howard Jenkins to use Circle Park as part of his Veterans Day Parade program at 4 p.m., Nov. 11.

Jenkins is the veterans' representative for Region 19.

Part of Jenkins' visit Tuesday night was to have council waive insurance requirements for the event, since it will only be about one hour long and will involve government officials for the public to meet and greet.

State Rep. Denise Grimsley is scheduled to attend along with local officials. There will also be a band playing from 3 to 4 p.m.
Council president Bud Whitlock raised the issue after Jenkins went to the podium to address the council.

"Why do we require some groups to have insurance at Circle Park and others no?" he asked. "If it was Veterans Beach he wouldn't need one."

"A four-person meeting on The Circle is somewhat different from a Christmas Parade," said City Attorney Bob Swaine.
Councilman Dan Andrews said he always thought it had to do with people crossing State Road 17, which winds around The Circle.

City Administrator Scott Noethlich told the council that a poll of other cities revealed that those cities require some form of insurance.

Council unanimously approved the parade.

Jenkins said Thursday that it looks like there are 54 organizations that plan on being in the parade.

Street closures will start about 3:15 or 3:30 p.m.

In other council actions, street closures were approved for the Saturday Night Cruise, which will be held on Nov. 8.

At its previous meeting, street closures were discussed. Staff thought there was already a list of approved street closures in place, but when it checked with the Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce, it could not find an approved list for the event.

Circle to Wall Street on West Center Street and North Commerce Avenue will be closed for the event. As a last resort, South Commerce Avenue to East Center Street could also be closed. The Circle and Ridgewood Drive would remain open.

The council also approved a deadline extension for completion of work on the interior restoration of the downtown Sebring fire station. Although mostly complete, the work was delayed due to water intrusion into the building from the exterior and includes proper sealing of all exterior windows.

The schedule pushes the completion of the renovation punch list for Orangewood Builders Inc. to Nov. 22.

Exterior work on the fire station is a separate contract being completed under the guidance of the city's insurance adjuster.

Joe Seelig can be reached at 863- 386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com .

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