City of Powell River Council will consider a lease agreement with the museum and archives for the next four years.
At the July 14 committee of the whole meeting, director of properties, development and communications Scott Randolph said Powell River Historical Museum and Archives Association has been without a lease since 2008 for structures it occupies. These include the main museum and archives opposite Willingdon Beach, and the forestry museum at Willingdon Beach.
Randolph said what is being recommended is a new lease agreement with the association, but also to put in place a contribution agreement which recognizes the city’s financial contribution to the association.
Total square footage of the three buildings is 8,600 square feet and a lease rate of $6 per square foot has been applied, said Randolph. He said this is considered fair, given the age of the buildings and use of them. Space for the adjacent Anderson sawmill exhibit is 2,400 square feet and a rate of $1.42 per square foot has been applied.
“Based on those rates, the total estimated lease cost is $54,898.48 per year,” said Randolph. The city has also budgeted $30,000 per year to cover the cost of building upkeep, utilities and the alarm system.
“As stated, historically, the city has provided the use of the buildings at no cost and has covered the costs of property maintenance, cleaning, utilities and the alarm system,” said Randolph. “To maintain the status quo, but properly account for the city’s financial contributions, staff are proposing that a contribution agreement be put in place with the association, similar to what we have with the Powell River Council for Arts, Culture and Heritage.”
Randolph said the draft agreement outlines covenants of both organizations and specifies in-kind financial support provided by the city.
The agreements have been vetted by the association board and have met its approval, according to Randolph.
Councillor George Doubt said reading through the report, he thinks it’s a good idea.
“It’s always nice to have a legal document reflecting the use of the city’s property and I don’t think anyone has any ideas about not allowing the use of the property to continue for the museum; it’s a good use of the city’s land,” said Doubt. “My understanding is there is no overall financial impact. It’s not going to cost the city more money and we are not going to have to collect more taxes. It simply is a factual contract for the lease of the property and it reflects, actually, what the city is providing by way of a benefit.”
Randolph said the term of the agreement is that it would be retroactive to January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2024.
“This is just getting things on a good legal standing with regards to what the city is contributing,” he added, “and ensuring the museum actually has a lease in place for the lands and structures it’s using.”
