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County staff flag water rights and outdated terms as they prepare to renew 1977 Discovery Center lease
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Summary
Weber County staff reviewed a 1977 lease for the Discovery/Environmental Center that expires in 2027, recommending shortening the term, removing obsolete committee language and clarifying whether the center uses a county water share that should return about $763.43 annually to the county.
Weber County staff brought a 1977 lease for the county’s Discovery/Environmental Center to the commission for early review, saying the document is outdated and raises two specific issues — the contract mentions a control committee that no longer exists and it references water shares the county believes may be tapped by the center.
Staff said the original 50‑year agreement contains provisions naming partners that no longer participate and that the county plans to narrow the agreement to the school district and the county. The county’s counsel recommended replacing the 50‑year term with a 5–10 year renewal and adding a termination option for the county.
A staff member noted an old invoice and language in the contract suggesting the center may use a county water share and said, "that 763.43 should be coming to us every year" if that is correct. Commissioners asked staff to confirm which water source the facility uses and ensure the lease reflects any water‑share obligations.
Staff also emphasized liability protections and recommended keeping the requirement that the center maintain and repair its buildings. Commissioners generally supported shortening the renewal term and asked legal staff to produce a revised draft before sending it to the school district for review.
Next steps: legal and parks staff will draft a revised lease that narrows parties, clarifies water rights, shortens the renewal term and includes county termination and liability protections; the draft will be returned to the commission for review before any final action.
