FC Civic Center caterer questions commission over contract changes

The Forrest City Civic Center Commission met recently to discuss issues with the catering contract at the facility after an increase in costs for renting the facility has caused rentals to decline. Commissioners heard from Angela Towner, with Cecil's Cafe in Forrest City, regarding the one-year contract that was recently given to them to serve as the official caterers for the Civic Center. "We had the meeting on May 15, when Mr. Tinsley asked us if for over 30 years. "People are not getting this Civic Center," said Towner. "Musical Coterie has left after over 30 years of using the Civic Center. They moved out in May. Now, we are left at the mercy of someone calling us, but with people cooking out of their houses or calling other people for the food, we can't possibly pay $500 across the board every month, whether we are using the building or not." we wanted to go back and accept and renew the contract for two years to be the Civic Center caterers," said Towner. "When we got the contract, we also agreed on the same rate, which was $250 for one to five events monthly and $500 for five to 10 events monthly. When we got the new contract, it is a $500 increase across the board, whether we use it or not." According to Towner, since the facility’s rental rates increased, groups have stopped renting the building, including the Forrest City Musical Coterie organization that had been renting the Civic Center monthly "Do you think Coterie left because their hours were decreased?” asked commissioner Kelly Lewis Wall. Towner responded that she was told last year that due to the rate increase the group would be leaving the Civic Center. "Because of the rate increase is what I was told," said Towner. "They had been here over 30 years and from 2019 until this year, we did all of their events. They met from September through May and took each summer off. They told me last year that they would be leaving the Civic Center due to the rate increase if they could find somewhere to take their piano. They moved to the First United Methodist Church." Towner said that after the commission’s meeting in May, they were expecting a two-year contract similar to what they have had since 2019. "That is stressful," said Towner. "That is too much money. We thought we were going back to the one to five events for $250 per month or five to 10 events for $500 per month schedule. We have never been late on the rent or anything since we had this contract, which has been since 2019. That is why we don't understand how we were presented with a one year contract at first, with $500 each month across the board whether we do our catering or not." Commission Chairman Melvin Tinsley said he did not understand why Towner would be required to pay $500 per month even if the building had not been used for a catering. "They don't want a one-year contract," said Tinsley. "I think we also need to make an adjustment to go back to the original figures. I understand what you are saying, Angela. If you are not here, you are not making money. Why would you have to pay $500 each month if you are not using the building?" "Even if she doesn't get a chance to do a catering she has to pay that month," asked Commissioner Chaney Murray. Tinsley shared that he didn't think it was fair for Cecil's Cafe to have to pay a $500 rental each month even when they had not been in the building. "I don't think it is fair to charge these people money when they are not using the facility," said Tinsley. "When I first saw this and got the contract, I don't remember voting on $500 unless it was for five to 10 events. They want the same contract that was offered before. A two-year contract for $250 a month for one to five events and $500 a month for five to 10 events. I still don't think it is fair for these people to have to pay when they aren't using the facility." Commissioners voted to provide a contract to Cecil's Cafe that would be for two years with the two different pay rates as requested. The current contract held by Cecil's Cafe is set to expire in November 2025. Commissioner Ernestine Weaver was absent.

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