Barry Shelton, presenting on facility use policy for the new McKinney City Hall, described draft rules and procedures for reserving the Fitzhugh Event Hall and first‑floor conference rooms and noted a separate approach for the restricted fifth‑floor conference spaces.

Shelton said the Fitzhugh Event Hall seats about 92 at round tables (or about 140 in classroom layout) and is intended primarily for city programs, training, nonprofit educational events and workshops. The proposed reservation eligibility would prioritize McKinney residents and city departments and limit frequent recurring private bookings so city needs are not crowded out.

The draft policy would allow after‑hours reservations (Monday–Friday until 8 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.) with a staffing fee to cover overtime (proposed $125 per hour, three‑hour minimum) and a refundable deposit to cover damage or extra cleaning. Staff recommended limiting parties, dance classes, recurring weekly rentals, religious worship services as regular rentals, political rallies and commercial fundraisers; city‑sponsored or city‑hosted events would be exempt from some restrictions.

Shelton said certain events would require general liability and property‑damage insurance and that the city’s risk department could offer a small‑fee special event protection option. Food and beverage would be limited to prepackaged or individually boxed service for most public reservations to reduce cleanup and damage risk.

Shelton asked council for feedback on the draft; council members expressed general support and staff said it would return with a formal policy for adoption at a future meeting. The policy will also address plaza/outdoor event lessons learned after a recent festival, restroom access for outdoor events on a case‑by‑case basis and rules to prevent monopolization of the space by regular bookings.