[sudo-discuss] [omni-booking] Basement Rent

Fri Aug 30 12:37:40 PDT 2019

Hello,
I understand the frustration and confusion around the spaz/sudo/omni 
basement relationship and operating procedures. I have been trying my 
best to keep up with the issues on all sides, and have sincerely 
regretted not being able to make a f2f meeting yet despite my best 
efforts. I tried calling both Joe and Robb last Monday because I was 
unexpextedly stuck at work in San Leandro until 6pm, and realize the 5pm 
meeting time is not realistic for me to commit to because I am often at 
work during normal business hours. Maybe there could be a discussion 
about adjusting the meeting time in the future to at least an hour or so 
later to make it easier to participate as desired.
Anyhow, this is the first I have heard of any damage to the commons... 
could someone elaborate so that I could help address and or repair that? 
The only things I know of are the hole in the drop ceiling and some 
graffiti, both of which are on the list for attention during upcoming 
work sessions. I have not been at the last two events so can not comment 
on recent noise issues, but have personally always put considerable 
concern into mitigating any neighbor related issues. And will continue 
to improve and enforce those measures.
I am also not aware of trash or recycling being left strewn about... we 
always have people staying very late cleaning and removing bags and bags 
of trash after events, sweeping and mopping. And have in fact 
implemented a $100 dollar cleaning deposit to ensure that gets done. Not 
saying things don't slip by and that there isnt always room for 
improvement, but leaving the place clean or even cleaner than we found 
it has always been a top priority so I am surprised to hear of this 
complaint. Maybe it was at one of the events I was not able to bottom 
line.
We definitely need to clarify the alcohol and insurance/permit issues so 
that we can all stay on the same page. For example, this is the first I 
have heard that BYOB is not allowed or an ABC issue? I would be relieved 
to have a better understanding of what the rules are so that I can help 
implement them.
As for the sudo room sponsorship and guidelines, I am happy to have that 
all clarified asap as well. I was under the impression that most of the 
time there are multiple sudo members present at the events, but we can 
formalize the requirements for sure. Or also look at other options in 
general. But all events and request have been going throught the website 
so I don't quite understand how it works if it is not an official Sudo 
event then? I thought the understanding was that since the funds raised 
were going to omni rent one way or another it was just the best way 
since there is considerable longstanding overlap between sudo members 
and spaz. But again, I would be relieved to have a better understanding 
of all of these parameters and requirements, and apologize for any 
personal responsibility for causing more friction by not yet being fully 
versed in the booking group program.
Like I said before, after the SKAST art show/party this Saturday we have 
put on hold all booking of the spaz system in the basement until all of 
these issues as well as the other general basement concerns are 
addressed and solved. We love the omni and want to help sustain a 
creative inviting relationship that encourages and supports all of the 
different aspects and mission of the space.
I hope to help resolve all of the woking group concerns as soon as 
possible, and become more adept at the existing systems that keep things 
rolling smoothly. We do not want to rock the boat in any negative way 
but are happy and grateful to have an opportunity to contribute to the 
next evolution of the space.
Thanks.
Lukas

On 2019-08-26 22:25, joe liesner wrote:
> We of the Booking WG are not feeling like we are getting the
> cooperation
> of SPAZ or SUDO in resolving the outstanding issues regarding SPAZ
> holding events in the basement.
>  Our understanding is that if Sudo is sponsoring SPAZ events
> then a representative of Sudo needs to at least be present at those
> SPAZ events
> and should be involved in putting the event on,   This has not been
> happening.
> In addition there is BYOB alcohol at SPAZ event without any ABC
> permits
> or any insurance;  there has been OC property destruction at several
> events:
> there have not been sufficient noise reduction procedures at the last
> event and
> people in the neighboring building have been kept up at 1:30am; and
> the
> SpaZ events have left the premises strewn with beer bottles and trash
> without
> having made a cleaning deposit for their rental.
> In addition SPAZ has assumed the authority to extend their SUDO
> sponsorship
> to others e.g. Chai CAT and SKAT.
> In order to allow SKAST to take place on 8/31 booking  wg  must insist
> that
> there is better noise/crowd control, much better security/supervision,
> no
> alcohol, proper insurance, and trash removal guananteed by a cleaning
> deposit.
> The tone of frustration apparent in this post is not the way booking
> would want to
> communicate with our colleagues but comes with not having had a chance
> to
> work with sudo or SPAZ f2f for weeks.  Hopefully with such meetings we
> can
> get clear on some of these basics and work together for the good of
> OC.
> joe, for booking wg (Robb and Roberto)
> 
>> On Aug 18, 2019, at 10:07 PM, Jenny Ryan <jenny at jennyryan.net>
>> wrote:
>> 
>> I spent some time with Lukas today doing some more onboarding re:
>> our booking and event processes. He's been slammed with an
>> out-of-town work gig that he just returned from yesterday, and so
>> should be able to attend the next Commons meeting on the 26th (I'm
>> out of town again this weekend through Tuesday, unfortunately, but
>> will try to participate remotely if anyone opens the pad this
>> time!).  We went through making a contract for the SKAST art show on
>> the 31st and also discussed the 'We Are the Ones' event for Sep 7th,
>> which wants to utilize the ballroom during the day and move to the
>> basement for an afterparty, but is only offering $200-300.  Lukas
>> and I will run point on these (and other events of relevance to the
>> basement/SPAZ community) together while he's getting the hang of our
>> processes and is able to attend some of the upcoming f2f meetings.
>> 
>> If I may ask, or rather urge: let's please be welcoming and
>> encouraging of anyone aligned and eager to help us better steward
>> events - I'll be the first to acknowledge that our processes are
>> rather intimidating and cumbersome to even longtime community
>> members, and I'm looking forward to not only a better booking
>> system, but cultivating a more welcoming culture of orienting
>> interested folks to becoming core volunteers <3
>> 
>> Re: "market rate" for the basement - I'm still somewhat confused by
>> this request and why they're not interested in renting the ballroom
>> instead. But anyway - I think Robb's right-on with that price point,
>> considering the risk involved of any late-night event. It's well
>> nigh impossible to find any venue that will go past 2am, much less
>> one for under $100/hr. We should do some more comparative research,
>> though. Two sites that host local rentable venue listings are
>> https://peerspace.com [1] and https://evenues.com [2] - factor in
>> that the 1450 square footage of the basement hall is cut down by
>> Village/CCL storage on one side and Phat Beets/soundsystem storage
>> on the other, plus the lack of amenities we provide, and the
>> occupancy cap of 49 people... it doesn't quite compare to, say, 1000
>> sqft at ground level with nice floors and empty-canvass-ness. But
>> try and book anything shiny past 2am and we're about it.
>> 
>> This request also runs into the issue of whether they want to use
>> the SPAZ soundsystem (in which case let's have Lukas join this
>> conversation), how much they intend things to be virtually "plug and
>> play", etc. I would be willing to update the website next week, at
>> the least we should say something about needing to work with SPAZ
>> folks for basement late-night events (considering the many factors
>> that complicate things here, not just the sound system but also
>> security, noise, safety, lighting, etc).
>> 
>> Apologies for the long email and thanks all for your continued
>> dedication <3
>> 
>> On Sun, Aug 18, 2019 at 9:27 PM robb <sf99er at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> i think for a high risk event like a rave for a political (not
>> exempt) campaign, it should be something like $100-150/hr depending
>> on if they use the entrance hall or not
>> maybe $70-100/hr for non-profits
>> too high? low?
>> 
>> On Sun, Aug 18, 2019 at 8:30 PM joe liesner <blue393 at lmi.net> wrote:
>> 
>> Hi
>> I need to give a condidate for City Council of Oakland
>> a market rate quote for the Basement hall.  What shat
>> I quote?
>> joe_______________________________________________
>> booking mailing list
>> booking at lists.omnicommons.org
>> https://omnicommons.org/lists/listinfo/booking
>> _______________________________________________
>> booking mailing list
>> booking at lists.omnicommons.org
>> https://omnicommons.org/lists/listinfo/booking
> 
> 
> 
> Links:
> ------
> [1] https://peerspace.com/
> [2] https://evenues.com/