Council authorizes staff to negotiate leases with Turtle Island and the Hub for Country Club Road site

City staff presented three proposals submitted in response to a City RFP for community uses at the Country Club Road/Elks Club property and recommended advancing discussions with Turtle Island (childcare/recreation) and the Hub (community hub). The staff memo and visioning report were included in briefing packets.

Why it matters: The property has been the subject of city planning and visioning work; city leaders said activating the site would support childcare, recreation and other community services while preserving flexibility for potential long-term reconfiguration during broader master-planning work.

Key points from the meeting: Turtle Island and the Hub representatives described a collaborative approach to share space in the existing clubhouse and to coordinate outdoor program needs; Turtle Island said it has a ready-to-execute business plan and that a short-term lease would allow the organization to reestablish a physical footprint in Montpelier quickly. The Hub representatives emphasized program alignment and said their proposal complements Turtle Island's aims. Councilors asked questions about lease length, city ownership of land (staff indicated the current approach is leasing rather than selling), and how a long-term build or improvements would be handled in partnership.

Council action: The council voted to authorize staff to enter lease negotiations with Turtle Island and the Hub. Several councilors stressed that any long-term lease would return to council for approval and that terms, rent, and protections for the city's long-term interests would be subject to council review.

Next steps: Staff will negotiate terms and return proposed lease agreements for council review. Councilors said they expect to scrutinize lease length, rent and clauses protecting future municipal options for the site.