Liberty Area Chamber seeks long-term lease; city attorney outlines legal options

The Liberty Area Chamber of Commerce told the Libby City Council it is seeking a memorandum of understanding and a commercial land lease to secure funding and grant eligibility for work on the chamber building at 905 West Ninth Street. Miranda Craven, speaking for the chamber, said the chamber owns and maintains the building while the city owns the land and that a stable, documented long-term agreement would help the chamber apply for grants to repair or replace the structure.

City attorney Chisholm explained legal constraints for separating building ownership from land: under real-property law, a building usually conveys with the parcel, so the city could either lease the parcel (and the chamber lease would sit on the parcel), lease a portion of the property, or sell the parcel if the council wanted the chamber to own the whole parcel. He said the city could also create a long-term renewable lease (for example, 21 years with renewal language), but the phrase "forever" is not a straight legal option.

Councilors and public speakers generally voiced support for moving the matter forward quickly; several urged staff to clarify exact parcel descriptions, lease term length and parking/existing use rights (including farmer's market access) before bringing a formal agreement for consideration. The council did not vote on a lease at the introduction stage but asked staff and the chamber to return with a draft agreement at a subsequent meeting.

Public commenters noted the chamber's role as a visitor information center and the need to clearly identify parking and use rights tied to the land to avoid future conflicts. The chamber said it currently leases the land for $1 per year and the proposed agreement would more clearly define responsibilities for maintenance, utilities and potential future sale of the land.