Council approves five-year lease with Knights of Columbus for senior center after tied vote; residents raise space and kitchen concerns

The Washington City Council on Jan. 21 approved a five-year lease for the city’s senior center with the Washington Knights of Columbus Memorial Association, after the council vote ended in a tie and the mayor cast the deciding vote in favor.

Councilors and staff said the move would be temporary while the city studies a permanent senior center location as part of its parks master plan and potential capital projects. The lease ordinance passed at second reading following public comment from seniors and service providers who urged the council to reconsider or to seek more information on space, kitchen facilities and parking.

City staff presented a cost comparison the council had received: the Knights of Columbus proposal showed a first-year estimated city cost of $33,200, while the Elks Lodge’s revised proposal totaled $48,463 for the first year once utilities and other maintenance were included. City staff said utilities are included in the Knights’ proposal; the Elks’ proposal had a lower base rent but higher utility and maintenance costs. Aging Ahead, the nonprofit that operates the senior center’s meal and program services, currently provides $12,000 annually in program rent to the…