Brewster submits lease proposal to Senior Center

BREWSTER – A proposed lease agreement drawn up by city legal counsel Chuck Zimmernan of Ogden Murphy Wallace in Wenatchee for the City of Brewster has been presented to members of the Brewster-Bridgeport-Pateros Senior Center for review and approval before going before the city council for its endorsement as well.

The proposal that has been under discussion and drafting for more than a year would allow the city to assume ownership of the Senior Center building at 109 Bridge St. South to relieve the Senior Center from the financial burden of covering many of the costs of operating it.

Under the terms as proposed, the city would purchase the property for $1 (one dollar) and lease it back to the Senior Center on an initial 10-year term for $1 (one dollar) annually. While all parties agree that the purchase is not considered a prudent financial investment for the city, it does allow the seniors to build both membership and monetary reserves while the city picks up the major operating costs including insurance, repairs, and utilities – estimated at $30,000 annually – to maintain the building.

In addition to a guarantee to be open a minimum of two days per week, the seniors would agree to pay $250 monthly rent, be responsible for janitorial and staffing costs, setting and collecting membership dues and, after one year, the cost of electricity.

The proposed lease agreement also makes allowance for the existing agreement with Okanogan County Transportation and Nutrition for use of the Senior Center kitchen to prepare meals for the senior nutrition program. Currently OCTN provides meals at the Brewster location from 11 a.m. until noon on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

If the Senior Center wishes to engage in any new revenue projects the proposal requests a plan for the new source to be submitted to the city mayor for approval. Any revenues generated by said sources would be retained by the Senior Center.

When the topic of the Senior Center’s future was discussed by city council members it was agreed that the city wanted to ensure that a facility for its senior residents would be available. For that to occur both parties had to address the ongoing financial challenges that the Senior Center has been facing month to month just to keep the doors open for its members.

Senior Center president Neal McKee said he hopes the new agreement, if approved by the membership, will allow the Center the time and resources to build its membership rolls and revenue base.