Facilities subcommittee refers Youth Soccer Association lease renewal with performance clause

The Fall River City Facilities Operations Subcommittee voted Thursday to refer a three-year lease renewal for the Youth Soccer Association, with members asking staff to add language allowing the city to require remedial action if the league does not meet its maintenance obligations.

Subcommittee members said the league has been reliable. “They do everything they're supposed to do,” said Mister Pacheco during the meeting, summarizing staff reports that field upkeep and site behavior have been satisfactory this year.

The motion approved by roll call instructed staff to include language in the lease that would allow the city to require the league to correct failures in fertilization, field cleanup or other required maintenance by a specified date or risk termination or other remedies. Committee members raised scenarios in which leadership turnover at the league could leave obligations unmet and requested a clear remedial timeline.

Committee members noted that the city retains responsibility for irrigation and basic field infrastructure; the Youth Soccer Association performs fertilization and other routine treatments under the current arrangement. The subcommittee’s motion to refer the item to the next full committee meeting carried on a roll call vote.

The referral means staff will draft the revised lease language and present the package at the next meeting for final action. No rent increase or new fees were discussed; members said routine city costs such as grass cutting and irrigation remain the city’s responsibility.

City staff said they would incorporate the agreed clause before the next meeting so both parties have clarity about enforcement and timelines.