Commission votes to terminate Meritor recreation-land lease despite a commissioners objection

Middletons Parks and Recreation Commission voted to terminate the lease that allowed the city to use the Meritor parcel for recreational purposes, after staff said the primary tenant (True Lacrosse) had found a new site and that a mutual termination has been negotiated with Meritor.

Staff explained the lease was created during the COVID period to expand outdoor playing space and noted that maintaining the roughly 13-acre parcel required substantial mowing and staff time. "True Lacrosse found a new location, and we are looking at terminating this lease," staff said. Staff said the city attorney and Meritor were prepared to execute a mutual termination and that staff would submit a letter to Meritor.

One commissioner warned the parcel serves nearby apartment residents who use it informally and urged reconsideration or renegotiation to preserve some public access. "I've seen people at least out there from a distance playing in it," the commissioner said, and later voted against termination. The motion to terminate carried after a voice vote with the chair announcing the motion carries.

Next steps: staff will send the agreed termination letter to Meritor and proceed with administrative steps; the commission suggested exploring whether other entities might lease or otherwise use the land if Meritor is open to that.