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Dance school owners, residents urge Lemoore leaders to reconsider large rent hike for Recreation Department space
Summary
Owners of the Movement Factory and local residents told the Lemoore City Council that a proposed steep rent increase for a municipal recreation space threatens programs serving more than 100 families; staff agreed to delay the increase and discussed possible alternatives.
Sienna Simas, co‑owner of the Movement Factory, told the Lemoore City Council on May 20 that a proposed rent increase for the city recreation facility threatens the studio’s ability to operate and serve local families.
Simas said Movement Factory serves more than 100 families, provides scholarships to eight dancers and regularly offers free community performances; she said the business received notice of what she described as a 1,200% rent increase and called the change “shocking and deeply disappointing.”
City staff told the council they had explained the rental-rate policy to the presenters and agreed to postpone the increase to July to give the instructors time to explore options. Simas proposed removing the dance studio from the general public rental pool for one‑time events, like birthday parties, while continuing use by local businesses and city‑supported programs.
The request came during a brief public‑comment period scheduled before study session items. After Simas spoke, resident Cody James Phillips criticized the increase at the regular public comment period, saying the city had raised the rent on a city‑owned property “from $400 per month to nearly $5,000 per month” and describing the change as an economic eviction. Resident Amanda Law urged compromise and said losing the program would push families to travel outside Lemoore for dance instruction.
Staff and council did not vote on any change to the rental policy during the meeting. City staff said the current rental rate for the space is $301.50 for a three‑hour block because the space is open to public use, and that staff will continue discussions with the Movement Factory to find a solution prior to the postponed July effective date.
Council members who spoke praised staff for meeting with the instructors and indicated support for continued negotiations. No formal action was taken at the May 20 meeting; council directed staff to continue working with the presenters and to bring clarifying information back to council if needed.
The issue remains under review; the presenters have been given until July to explore options and the council did not adopt any ordinance or contract amendment at the meeting.
