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Regular Council Meeting March 8, 2021 Page 5 A Motion to approve this item was made by Mayor Clifford and seconded by Council Member Hughes. Motion carried, 7 ayes — 0 nays. 15. Discuss and act on a request from Samantha Hughes to waive her rent at the Event Center until May 2021, as related to Covid-19. A Motion to remove this item from the table was made by Mayor Clifford and seconded by Council Members Portugal and Pilgrim. Motion carried, 7 ayes — nays. Ms. Ellis explained that in July 2019, Mrs. Hughes entered into a Lease Agreement with the City to rent the Event Center for a monthly rate of $1,200.00. She said Mrs. Hughes used the building to prepare, package and serve food to children at the Boys & Girls Club and youth at City Square. Ms. Ellis also said this past summer Mrs. Hughes reported her State funding was reduced by the State due to Covid and the Club had to reduce the number of children they served. She reported that Mrs. Hughes missed some payments in the summer of 2020 and called Mr. Path to let him know she could not make rent and under the Covid circumstances, Mr. Path agree to forgive her rent payments missed this past summer. Ms. Ellis said in December of 2020, Mrs. Hughes said she was still having trouble making the rent and asked if Mr. Path would consider waiting her rent, at which time Mr. Path informed Mrs. Hughes he would need to take the request to the City Council, as Mrs. Hughes is requesting a waiver of her monthly rent until May 2021. Ms. Ellis also said that city staff reviewed the financial information provided by Mrs. Hughes and it appeared that her expenditures exceeded her income. Ms. Ellis said Mrs. Hughes provided a need benefit to the children and youth in the community as confirmed by the Boys and Girls Club, as well as City Square. Ms. Ellis stated that Samantha Hughes was at the meeting to answer questions City Council may have about her operations. Council Member Portugal asked Mrs. Hughes to describe the services she provides. Mrs. Hughes described her services before and after Covid, citing she had been serving 300 children but that number was now around 115. Council Member Savage said they also had to shut down City Square for a time due to Covid, and the services that Mrs. Hughes provides goes along way. Council Member Portugal said it was an excellent program and inquired since the number of children they were serving was down, was the number of employees decreased. Council Member Savage said Campbell Soup had also cut production during Covid but they did not get rid of employees, because it was hard to keep good employees. Katrina Mitchell, Unit Director of the Boys and Girls Club said before Mrs. Hughes began this food program, the Club got their food from Dallas and it arrived frozen that so many times the children were eating half frozen or cold food. Ms. Mitchell said you could not put a cost to what Mrs. Hughes provides to the children. She also said Mrs. Hughes followed the guidelines set out by the government. Mayor Clifford said he had reviewed the financial information provided and questioned how Mrs. Hughes was able to make it because there was one month that her expenses were approximately $17,000 more than what she took in. Mrs. Hughes said she had to put in her own money. Mayor Clifford said perhaps he was missing something and expressed concern how she could continue her service. Mrs. Hughes said she turns everything into the State. Council Member Savage said they had received recommendations from the Boys and Girls Club, City Square and Grayson Path.