A recent shooting incident and ongoing concerns of alcohol consumption have city officials evaluating the rental practices for the Brundidge Station.

City Manager Britt Thomas raised the issue during Tuesday’s council meeting, telling members they may want to consider a change in regulations for use of the facility, which also houses the Brundidge Nutrition Center during the day.

“At a recent event tables were broken,” he said. “There are indications that there has been drinking at events. There was also an altercation at Brundidge Station and shots were fired.”

Wilma Price, utility manager, handles rentals for Brundidge Station and said Wednesday that the rental policy specifically prohibits alcoholic beverages on the premises at any time. The policy also states that no concession sales or admission charges are allowed to be collected on the premises of Brundidge Station.

Renters receive a copy of the rental policy, lease agreement and clean-up policy. “Each person who rents Brundidge Station signs a rental application saying they understand the rules pertaining to the rental of the facility,” Price said.

The fee is $100 for each day of rental with a $50 refundable security/cleaning deposit. Individuals who rent the facility must be 21 years of age or older and are responsible for the supervision of the event.

Price said many of the rentals are for bridal and baby showers, birthday parties and family and class reunions. Other rentals include graduation parties and night parties.

The rental business is lucrative for the city. In 2015, rentals generated about $6,000 in revenue, Price said.

Even so, council members said Wednesday that concerns about abuse of the rental policies need to be addressed.

“We’ve got a no-alcohol policy and it needs to be enforced,” said Arthur Lee Griffin, District 2. “Those who rent the station should be required to have security there and to pay for it.

“I’ll say this, too. We don’t need to allow alcohol on any city property at any given time. We need to make Brundidge safe at all times of the day and night.”

Margaret Ross, District 3, said the polices in place should be strictly enforced and, perhaps, more regulations included.

“Brundidge Station was built for our older adults,” Ross said. “It’s for them first. I think we can solve most issues by not renting Brundidge Station for night parties. We have several other venues in the area for night parties.  That’s not what the facility is for, and the city is not obligated to provide a place like that.”

Councilmember Betty Baxter, District 1, had no comment. Councilmembers Cynthia Pearson, District 4, and Steven Coleman, District 5, could not be reached by phone.

The council took no action on the concerns at Tuesday’s meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

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