The Gilmer Civic Center was very much on the mind of the Gilmer City Council Tuesday night.

After much discussion, the council approved a request by the Upshur County Community Players to waive the $200 nightly fee for rehearsals.

Miriam Hill, who spoke for the Players, said they normally use the Civic Center two or three times a year for plays.

She said they sometimes start rehearsals two to three months before presenting a play.

Civic Center Manager Bridget Fowler said that she “would not say there has been a problem.”

She said two to three weeks’ rehearsal ahead of the play is okay, but two to three months “is too much.”

Bill Beddingfield, speaking for the players, said that they need a few weeks to put up sets.

City Manager Jeff Ellington asked that the players notify the city when they would be in the Civic Center. It was also stipulated that the stage couldn’t be set up more than two weeks in advance, and that if the city has a chance to rent out the facility, that will take precedence over rehearsals.

The council voted to accept $10,000 from the Civic Improvement Foundation to underwrite repairs to the Civic Center’s fire sprinkler system.

Gilmer Fire Chief Mike Melton said that a recent examination of the sprinkler system showed that it did not meet specifications.

The council also authorized the spending of the funds to repair the system, and to allow Ellington to approve a contract for the repairs.

The council also approved revisions to the Gilmer Civic Center’s rates, general rules and regulation, and okayed revisions to the Civic Center lease agreement.

The revised lease agreement stipulates that all rental fees are due no later than one week prior to an event, unless arrangements are made with the city manager.

Half of the base rent is required as a deposit, and a $250 security deposit is now also required. There are also provisions for return of the deposits upon adequate notification of cancellation.

Also, a $50 clean-up fee will be deducted from the security deposit in the lessee is negligent in this regard.

No pets or other live animals will be allowed in any part of the Civic Center, unless it is a service animal, such as a seeing-eye dog.

Rental rates include:

• Auditorium with 424 fixed seats and 681 retractable seats, $600 Monday through Sunday.

• Auditorium with 424 fixed seats, $200 Monday through Thursday.

• Auditorium with 424 fixed seats, $400 Friday through Sunday.

• Banquet room, about 5,000 square feet, $200 Monday through Thursday.

• Banquet room, $400 Friday through Sunday.

• Foyer, $150 Monday through Sunday.

• Day rehearsal, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., $100.

• Evening rehearsal, Monday through Friday after 4:30 p.m., $200.

• Sound system usage fee, $100.

• Fly system usage fee, $100, plus $200 deposit.

• Piano/keyboard usage fee, $25 per day.

• Tables 5-foot round and 8-foot rectangular (must be covered), $5 each.

• Chairs, $0.50 each.

In other business, the council granted a request from First National Bank to close a block of Cass St. from U.S. 271 to Roberts St. for its customer appreciation day Saturday, May 1, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

They also authorized consolidation of City of Gilmer Utility and telephone bills and authorizing payment via bank draft to avoid late fees.