Commission splits on Girl Scout building; defers recommendation to City Council

The Oak Harbor Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission discussed a staff briefing on the future of the Girl Scout building at Veil Park and declined to make a formal recommendation, leaving the decision to the City Council.

Parks staff said the Girl Scouts of Western Washington have asked to relinquish the building and that the city owns the land while the Girl Scouts own the structure under a 2019 lease agreement. Staff reported the building has two roughly 800-square-foot usable spaces, limited rental history, and deferred capital needs. Staff estimated carpet replacement at about $5,000 and a roof replacement at about $30,000; the Girl Scouts’ regional organization reported annual facility costs of roughly $3,500 for maintenance and just under $4,000 for utilities, figures local troops disputed.

Council member Eric Marshall said he supports city ownership only if the leaseback terms were reworked and criticized the proposed $1-per-year leaseback as inconsistent with the city’s cost-recovery approach. Commissioners raised other concerns: possible asbestos found in flooring materials (noted in the council packet), the city’s potential demolition and abatement costs if the Girl Scouts were required to remove the building, and whether there is a community use that justifies the maintenance and capital expense.

Staff outlined options: accept a donation and enter a license agreement allowing local Girl Scout troops to use the building for up to five years; require the Girl Scouts to remove the building; or pay market value for the structure. The staff report noted an assessed building value used in earlier discussions of about $54,660 and that the Girl Scouts requested a multiyear leaseback as part of their proposal.

Commission members were split. Some suggested a one-year interim lease to give the Girl Scouts time to find alternatives and to allow the city to consider limited uses such as storage for recreation equipment. Others expressed a preference to decline the offer or to require the Girl Scouts to remove the building. The commission did not reach a recommendation and deferred to the council, noting additional information—demo/abatement costs, occupant-capacity/code upgrades, and a clearer plan for reuse—would be useful for council consideration.

The item will be on the council agenda for their upcoming meeting for a final determination.