Council approves lease for 150 parking spaces at Shiloh Baptist Church near courthouse

Northampton County Council adopted an ordinance authorizing a lease with Shiloh Baptist Church for 150 parking spaces located at 403 Pastor Fred Davis Street in Easton. The lease, described at the hearing as roughly $1,250 per month for the 150 spaces (about $15,000 per year), was presented as an addendum to prior church parking arrangements the county has used for courthouse needs.

Council members asked staff whether the lease rate was independently appraised and whether it was consistent with other nearby permits and leases. Staff said the rate was scaled from rates the county previously paid to Saint Anthony’s Church for short‑term parking during large courthouse projects and that proximity and turnaround needs limited other options.

Members pressed on operational logistics and security. County staff described a continuous shuttle schedule during peak morning and afternoon hours — with a standard van capacity of about 25 people and the option to secure a second van or a bus with roughly 100‑person capacity on heavy juror days — and said the shuttle would generally run roughly every 15 minutes during peak periods.

Council also raised concerns about Section 11 of the proposed license, which in its current draft would require the county to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the church for claims arising from county use, without a reciprocal indemnity from the church. A council member read the clause aloud and asked who would be responsible for damage or liability; county staff said liability depends on circumstances and typical landlord‑tenant and negligence rules would govern whether the county or church bears responsibility. Staff and the assistant county solicitor noted two clerical corrections requested by Shiloh (a revised end date and a consistent church name) could be handled by submitting a corrected Exhibit A rather than amending the ordinance on the floor.

The council called the roll; Miss Keegan, Mister Warren, Mister Giovanni, Mister Payum, Miss Fargo Heffner, Mister Gillette and Miss Wheat voted yes, and the ordinance was adopted 7‑0.

Why it matters: The lease secures off‑site parking and shuttle service intended primarily for jurors and courthouse staff. Council’s questions about indemnity and operational logistics highlight county concerns about liability and service continuity.

The staff team said they would return corrected contract exhibits and continue coordination with the church as the county executes the lease.