By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG -- Ogdensburg City Council has rescinded a resolution that charged fees to local non-profits like Alcoholics Anonymous for use of the Dobisky Center.

A letter from Ogdensburg’s Alcoholics Anonymous groups requested the city grandfather the volunteer organization in the law so it could continue to provide meetings at the Dobisky Center.

The letter prompted some councilors to reconsider a recent resolution that required non-profits to be charged for use of the visitors center. Prior to that, volunteer organizations and Ogdensburg non-profits were not charged for rentals.

On Monday Ogdensburg also heard from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla. Representatives from that group said they use the facility for training and other meetings and thanked the city for its past generosity. The group requested the city reconsider the newly implemented fees.

The rate hike passed Sept. 11 raised the fees to $15 per hour for the small room, $20 per hour for the large room and $30 per hour for both rooms for private rentals. Costs for non-profits and service groups rose from no charge to $7.50, $10 and $15 respectively.

The rate hike passed by council was against recommendations from the recreation commission, but was rescinded Monday.

Mayor Wayne Ashley supported the resolution. He said the city did not understand the impact of the decision to charge these groups who are providing services to the community at no cost.