Council delays lease of 920 North Alama Street, orders building inspection

A proposed six‑year lease of city‑owned property at 920 North Alama Street to the nonprofit Fathers and Mothers Who Care was pulled from the Nov. 4 agenda after council members raised questions about the building’s condition, required repairs and ADA compliance.

Council members said they had asked staff previously for a breakdown of capital improvement numbers associated with the lease and said that documentation had not been provided. Council member Darden asked whether building and safety had inspected the property and whether the work list was the city’s responsibility; other members raised concerns about past water safety reports and whether the city should perform repairs rather than delegate them to a lessee.

City staff said the property is not currently scheduled for city rehabilitation and recalled that a prior proposed lease with another nonprofit (Angels for Sight) had included capital improvements that ultimately were not completed. The city manager said building and safety would be asked to inspect the facility immediately and the council voted to table the item so that staff could produce an inspection report and clarify ADA and capital improvement responsibilities.

Council members described the organization’s service record in the city but emphasized public‑safety concerns and that the city should not authorize occupancy without a building‑safety determination. No vote to approve the lease was taken on Nov. 4; the item was tabled for future consideration pending staff inspection and a facilities condition assessment.