Council makes animal-shelter lease for Positive Pup Playgroup agenda-pending after contract concerns

Mount Vernon City Council on Monday made the proposed land lease for Positive Pup Playgroup at the animal shelter at 600 Garden Avenue agenda-pending after council members raised concerns about contract language that could allow alterations without landlord approval.

Council attention focused on a draft lease that would allow the business to use the exterior area of the animal shelter for canine play groups and light training, while not granting use of the shelter building itself. Councilwoman Gleason asked for background and said she believed the shelter was in "deplorable condition" and needed renovation. A Department of Public Works representative described the lease as limited to the exterior area: "So this, the lease is for the external part of the animal shelter that this person will be coming in basically to do animal play sorry. Canine play groups, some light training. So he'll be just using that space, not the actual building itself."

The principal concern cited by Gleason was a contract clause she read as permitting the lessee to make alterations without returning to the city for permission: "I do have a question regarding, the contract. 1 of the items of the contract, a portion of it said and this is why I need the corporation council to clarify because I didn't agree with the fact that they can make whatever alterations to that area without having permission from from us, the landlord." Council members reiterated that any work requiring building or site permits must follow the city's permit process; the Department of Public Works representative said the permit process was referenced in the contract but that corporation counsel's review was needed to resolve the apparent conflict over permissions.

Because corporation counsel had not yet provided the requested clarification, the council elected to leave the item "agenda pending" until counsel could advise whether the lease language should be revised or conditioned. No formal vote on lease approval occurred at the work session.

The item will return to a future agenda after corporation counsel reviews the alteration clause and the parties confirm whether the permit process and landlord consent requirements are aligned with the city's standard lease language.