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Committee orders legal research after concerns about tourism leases and Culver Barn insurance gap
Summary
Committee directed the county law department to research leases and insurance coverage for tourism properties, including a renovated Culver Barn on 17.4 acres; staff flagged an expired lease, potential material‑change issues, and that tourism's policy appears to lack a $5 million umbrella the county expects.
Sumner County’s Self Insurance Board Committee asked the county law department to research lease status and insurance responsibilities for tourism properties after staff raised questions about an expired lease and coverage gaps affecting the Culver Barn and adjacent acreage.
Staff said the county previously conveyed some property back to Rogers Group by deed but leases still identify 17.4 acres that include the Culver Barn. The county’s agreement with Rogers was described as continuing through Sept. 30, 2027, but tourism’s lease was expired and lacked a holdover clause; staff said that raised uncertainty about whether tourism remains an active tenant and which party is responsible for liability and property coverage.
On insurance, staff told the committee tourism’s policy appeared to be short of the umbrella coverage the leases require. Staff said the county carries a $5 million umbrella and that tourism’s policy appeared to provide only $4 million aggregate, creating a potential mismatch between lease requirements and actual coverage. Staff recommended renegotiating leases or clarifying which party will carry specified coverage so the county is not unexpectedly liable for injuries, damage or a large claim at the venue.
Committee members discussed material‑change risk if the barn had been transferred and then renovated into a commercial venue. One committee member recommended the mayor and law office negotiate new leases and have tourism either carry the required insurance or be explicitly responsible for operations on the property. The committee moved to have the law department research the leases, clarify insurance responsibilities, and report back at the next meeting.
The transcript shows the tourism board had retained outside counsel; staff said they would coordinate with tourism’s counsel and the county law department. The committee requested staff return with options for renegotiation, possible new leases, and a recommendation on whether tourism or Rogers should hold insurance and indemnify the county.
