Dahl Memorial Clinic executive committee approves lease for 402 Main Street to house traveling providers, flags budget and housing strategy

The Dahl Memorial Clinic Executive Committee voted to approve a residential lease for a three‑bedroom home at 402 Main Street to house traveling and seasonal providers, directing the director to finalize contract language and obtain municipal approvals.

Director Wahl told the committee the house is not currently on the market and the owners had specifically approached the clinic. Wahl said the rent is $4,000 per month and that the home is fully furnished and close to the clinic. Wahl described the plan to designate the downstairs bedroom for traveling providers and to house married provider pairs upstairs for the summer. Wahl said the lease’s occupancy clause would be revised to reflect that the premises “shall be occupied only by the employees of the Municipality of Skagway.”

Committee members discussed the cost and alternatives. Dietrich said the clinic had $485,000 removed from its budget during the budget process and acknowledged the lease is not currently funded in the operating budget; Wahl said the municipality’s borough manager is aware and that the clinic could request a budget increase from the assembly if necessary.

Members discussed utilities and start dates. Wahl said the municipality issues checks according to its cycle and that occupancy would begin June 1, while rent payments in the lease language commence May 1; Wahl noted that in practice checks sometimes arrive a day or two after the nominal date and that landlords have accepted that timing in other leases. Committee members asked whether utilities were included; Wahl said the clinic pays utilities on its other leases and that the house has a heat pump, which should keep heating costs lower than some other properties. The committee discussed an Internet service that the landlord would leave in place and noted water, sewer and garbage run roughly $145–200 per month for similar houses.

The committee amended the motion to direct Director Wahl to make needed edits (including changes to the signature block and the municipal-employee occupancy language) and to enter into appropriate communications with the landlords, identified in discussion as Natalie and Darian (owners). The amended motion passed with no objections recorded.

Discussion also turned to long-term housing strategy. Dietrich urged the clinic to inventory its leased units and consider building owned housing to reduce recurring lease costs; Wahl said he is exploring two parcels of land and intends to pursue grant funding through the clinic’s nonprofit to build duplexes that could replace some leased units.

The committee approved the lease by voice vote with no objections recorded; the lease’s execution remains subject to finalized contract language and any required municipal budget action.