Committee backs a package of leases for nonprofits and a state senator’s satellite office

The City of Oswego Administrative Services Committee voted to authorize a series of lease agreements for city-owned spaces used by nonprofit organizations and a state legislator’s satellite office.

Mayor Cordino requested authorization for a two‑year lease with State Senator Chris Ryan to establish a satellite district office in City Hall; the committee approved the request. Committee members said the city has offered that space to state and federal representatives for years, and the city does not provide staff support as part of the arrangement.

The committee also advanced a proposed 20‑year lease with the Art Association of Oswego and the Oswego Players for use and occupancy of Building 30 at Fort Ontario. Under the agreement discussed, the organizations would pay a nominal $1 annual rent; tenants would be responsible for interior maintenance and upkeep while the city would maintain the building exterior. Tammy Thompson, president of the Oswego Players, and Karen Ringwald (Art Association) told the committee they plan a three‑to‑five‑year strategic plan for capital improvements and would continue fundraising; the groups identified the Shinneman Foundation as one donor.

Harborfest’s longstanding office lease at the McCrobeat (McCurdy/McCrobeat) building was continued under terms described as a $1 rent and tenant responsibility for insurance and indemnity; the committee discussed a three‑year continuation. Friends of Recovery was authorized to enter a three‑year lease for a small office space (nominal $1), bringing an existing informal occupancy under a formal contract and adding the city as an additional insured on their certificate of insurance.

Why it matters: the agreements formalize long‑running occupancy arrangements between the city and civic organizations that provide cultural programming, recovery services and festival operations. The 20‑year Fort Ontario lease carries the largest long‑term stewardship obligations, with tenant responsibility for interior capital needs and the city committed to exterior maintenance.

Next steps and conditions: the city attorney will prepare revised resolutions and lease language; the longer Fort Ontario lease will include a clause that tenants continue pursuing grant funding and city consent for major exterior grant applications when needed. Committee members said they would include amended language and circulate the final resolutions in the next packet.

Ending: Committee members expressed support for continuing cultural and community partnerships and asked staff to circulate the finalized lease language in advance of the next council meeting for formal adoption.