Agreement back before city council

PRIEST RIVER — A 2011 agreement between the Happy Agers Senior Center and the city of Priest River was back before council on Monday, following concerns over some of the lease conditions.

Per the agreement, the senior center is responsible for all building and structural improvements, including repairs, upkeep, maintenance, remodeling or modifications to the building. The city is responsible for the parking and outdoor areas.

“If the roof failed, and we had to replace the roof, that would take our entire budget for the year,” said Otis Angel, president of the senior center board of directors.

Under the agreement, however, roof repairs would be the responsibility of the Happy Agers, said Mayor Jim Martin.

“In that case, if that did happen, we would have to look for another place because we can’t afford to do it,” Angel said.

The concerns came about after council members said in October that they would not contribute $580 toward front porch repairs, as the seniors asked for help with the funds after the fact.

Angel wanted to clarify whether or not they need permission from the city to make such repairs, and Martin said only if they make any major changes to the building, such as an addition or remodel. Smaller repairs can be done without reaching out to the city, though the city is not obligated to contribute financially, he said.

Angel, who was not on the board when the agreement was made in 2011, pointed out that the seniors have the responsibility of ownership, though they don’t actually own the building.

“We offered to deed it over to the Happy Agers at that point, and they chose not to do that,” Martin said.

While Angel used the roof as an example, he said it is in good shape right now. The floor in the building is another story, however. The new floor would cost approximately $8,000, said Gary Bell, Happy Agers director and treasurer.

Bell said he was under the impression the seniors had to use the city’s grant writer to apply for funds. Again, Martin said the senior center would not need to go through the city as long as the proposed projects do not change the footprint of the building in any way. If they need a signature due to city ownership of the building, Martin said he would be happy to do so.

As for the conditions in the 2011 agreement, Martin told the group if there is anything they want changed, to send in a proposal and he will meet with them to discuss any possible amendments.

Before departing on Monday, the Happy Agers reminded Martin that during a meeting a while back, it was said that the city would repair the outside ramp to make it ADA compliant.

“If I said I would fix it, I am going to stick to my word,” Martin said.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.