Hopewell council approves one-year lease of 102 10th Street to City of Refuge

The Hopewell City Council voted to approve a one-year commercial lease of a 2,160-square-foot city building at 102 10th Street to the City of Refuge for $1,250 per month.

City staffer Mr. Bennett opened a public hearing for the lease, saying the space had been previously used as a warming shelter and that the proposed lease term and rent were for one year at $1,250 a month. He told the council the agenda includes a form lease prepared by the city attorney's office and that the council's motion would be to approve that form with the stated rental amount. "I'm here tonight, to conduct a public hearing for a commercial lease ... a portion of the property, which is 2,160 square feet," Bennett said. When the clerk opened the public hearing, no citizens were signed up to speak: "We do not have any citizens in the audience," the clerk noted.

Before taking the final vote, Bennett and council members identified a mismatch between the resolution attached in the meeting packet and the lease being considered; Bennett said the attachment appeared to be a prior fiscal-support resolution rather than the lease resolution. The council recessed to locate the correct resolution text. After reconvening, Vice Mayor Joyner moved to approve the lease form for 102 10th Street to the City of Refuge, with Councilor Ellis seconding. The clerk conducted a roll call; six members were recorded voting yes and the clerk announced the motion passed.

The approval authorized execution of the form lease for the stated one-year term and rental amount. The council concluded its business and adjourned the special meeting.