Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Social Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council discusses low-cost lease or sale of old city shop to local food bank amid zoning limits
Summary
Councilmembers floated a low-cost lease for Tenino’s food bank to use the cold storage building and old city shop, noting zoning currently prevents outright sale; staff said repairs and zoning changes mean a purchase is unlikely before December.
Council members discussed allowing the Tenino food bank to use an underused city shop and cold-storage building under a low-cost lease so the nonprofit could assume utilities and maintenance costs.
Mayor (speaker 4) read a letter from resident George Sharp and relayed food bank staff reports of increased demand and limited storage space. The council discussed offering a five-year low-cost lease with an option to buy if the food bank secures funds and if zoning changes that currently prohibit the use are completed.
Councilmembers said leasing would reduce city utility and maintenance obligations; staff cautioned that zoning currently prevents an immediate sale and that repairs to the old city shop would be required before it could be used for food storage. Speaker 4 said he had asked the city lawyer about short-term emergency-use approvals and that the council could place a zoning item on the next agenda to consider a temporary arrangement.
Members emphasized the food bank’s role serving the broader South County area, including seniors and families, and asked staff to return with a draft lease and a timeline for zoning changes so council could consider options at a future meeting.
