On June 20th a new schedule of rates and fees for the Observatory was approved by the Recreation and Parks Commissioners. This schedule includes some things the Oaks had asked for, specifically the limitation of private catered events with alcohol to 26 per year, 3 per month. The events are to stop serving alcohol at 10 pm, and end no later than 10:30 pm. But the General Manager can allow exceptions to these hours. The document is available at here.

Somewhat troubling is the fact that under the new rules, donors of $150,000 or more are eligible to have events at the Observatory. Remarkably, the Guidelines do not specify whether these are donors to the Observatory or to some other organization. Another newly added way to be eligible for Observatory use is to for the event to have a "goal of civic responsibility". That sort of phrase is probably elastic enough to include almost anything. The document was only disclosed to the public twenty-four hours before the meeting. This was the main reason that all of the representatives of community organizations who addressed the commissioners asked that the schedule not be approved at that time.

During the ensuing discussion, Kevin Regan and Vicki Israel, speaking for the Department Recreation and Parks, defended the guidelines contained in the schedule of rates and fees. They said that most of the events would be outside of the Observatory’s normal hours of operation. They also complimented the community at large for their input. Commissioner Maria Casillas called the Observatory's educational and scientific mission sacred, and suggested that the schedule should be tried out for six to twelve months and then reviewed. Ms. Israel said she fully expected that the community at large was going to be vigilant and that she would hear from us about any issues we might have. The document was then approved by the commissioners.

What is one to think of this outcome? The good news is that there is a no-nonsense limitation on the number of events. Yes, there is room for abuse in these rules, as regards the exceptions in the closing times as well as the language about 'civic responsibility' and large donors. These rules may result in a very reasonable usage of the Observatory for special events. And if one is to take both the commissioners and the park’s management by their words, then this is what we should expect. However, if the loopholes in these rules were to be exploited, there could be an entirely different result. It’s important therefore that we be vigilant.

The Zoning Administrator who is to decide on the pending liquor license has yet to make his decision public.