Council approves Lancaster House lease with Pine Castle Pioneer Days; commissioner offers to cover first 10 years

The Belle Isle City Council on Monday approved a lease with Pine Castle Pioneer Days to rehabilitate the Lancaster House, and one commissioner offered to cover the first decade of rent.

City Manager (staff) presented the final Lancaster House lease, noting the document includes the fence language previously negotiated and that Pioneer Days will provide proof of liability and casualty insurance before any construction starts. "He said he will have that when this is approved by council," staff said, describing the group's agreement to supply insurance and to add the city as additionally insured.

At the podium, Angela (Angie) Lanham introduced herself after being nominated to the Tree Board and thanked council for the opportunity. Commissioner Smith praised community involvement and moved approval of the lease. "I wanna thank you and applaud you for your willingness to serve," Commissioner Smith said to Lanham during the earlier appointment discussion.

The motion to approve the Lancaster House lease was adopted by the council. During the exchange, Commissioner Smith offered to pay the rent for the first 10 years under the lease terms, which set the rent at $1 per year. Council members accepted that offer and staff were directed to handle the administrative details.

The lease approval includes a requirement that the nonprofit provide the city with the required insurance certificates and evidence of additional insured status before any site work begins. Staff said those documents will be retained in the city file.

The council did not change the lease terms; the agreement will be executed following the procurement of the required insurance documentation and related administrative steps.