Council advances first reading for county lease with Finding Serenity to distribute donated goods from Amazon partnership
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Summary
Lancaster County advanced a first reading Nov. 10 to lease county space at reduced rent to Finding Serenity, a nonprofit distributing free donated goods obtained through an Amazon partnership to multiple local agencies and schools.
The Lancaster County Council voted Nov. 10 to approve on first reading an ordinance (2025‑2007) authorizing a county lease of vacant space at the Barnett Building (1228 Colonial Commons Court, Suite 101) to Finding Serenity, a nonprofit partner of the Women’s Enrichment Center that will receive and distribute donated goods from an Amazon partner program.
Administrator Marston described the program: Finding Serenity can receive multiple pallets per week of nonperishable items — clothing, pet food, hygiene products and other goods — that it coordinates for redistribution to at least 20 nonprofit partners, schools and municipal programs across Lancaster County. "We're up to 20 nonprofits and municipalities... we can get now 60 pallets a week," Julie Walters of the Women’s Enrichment Center told council during public comment.
Staff proposed a reduced lease below current fair market rent (staff estimated fair market at roughly $2,600/month and the prior tenant paid about $1,900/month), and said the lessee would pay utilities. Council members questioned legal terms (liability, HVAC and roof maintenance, out clauses) and asked for an analysis comparing rent foregone to the financial value of goods distributed. Some members proposed tabling until attorneys finish revisions; others supported moving forward with first reading and finalizing negotiated contract language before second reading. The motion to approve first reading passed 5–1 with one abstention.
Council directed staff to bring back a final contract that (a) incorporates recommended attorney edits, (b) clarifies insurance and maintenance responsibilities, (c) includes termination/notice language and (d) provides a transparency analysis of the foregone rent versus community benefit from the donated goods. The ordinance will return for second reading with the revised lease attached.
What happens next: Administration will work with procurement and county legal counsel to incorporate the changes discussed; staff also agreed to provide the requested valuation/benefit analysis for council review at second reading.