Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Smokehouse Lease Fioa topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Public commenter says FOIA found no Smokehouse Pavilion lease; council says March action was a contingency MOU
Summary
During public forum a resident, Dana Skeens, said a FOIA request returned no lease for the Smokehouse Pavilion despite minutes recording a five‑year lease at $3,000 monthly; councilors said the March action was a contingent, verbal agreement or memorandum of understanding and that a signed lease will follow building completion.
A resident raised questions during public forum at the Nov. 18 Ravenswood City Council meeting about whether a lease for the Smokehouse Pavilion restaurant exists after a FOIA response said no signed lease was on file.
Dana Skeens, who identified herself during the public‑comment period, said she had requested a copy of the lease and was told none exists, but she read from the March 4, 2025 minutes that “counselor Fox moved to approve a 5 year lease with the Smokehouse Pavilion in the amount of $3,000 a month.” Skeens asked the council, “Now one of these statements can't be right. Right? So my question is, which one's not right?”
Council members replied that the March action constituted a contingency or verbal agreement — effectively a memorandum of understanding — that would be replaced by a formal, signed lease only if and when construction of the building is completed. The presiding official said the contingency approach was used to avoid expending resources on full lease paperwork until the project’s final size and cost were known.
Why it matters: Skeens’ question raised a transparency and public‑records issue about whether council actions documented in minutes reflect a finalized contract or a conditional commitment. The council’s response framed the March record as an agreement to enter into a lease at a later time, not a present signed contract.
Skeens also asked whether the proposed rent — $3,000 per month — was low compared with earlier budget and bid figures for the project; the presiding official and other councilors said the $1.5 million project budget and final square footage could change lease terms and that the city would return to council if additional funding were required.
Council offered to follow up with Skeens and to make meeting materials available for review. No formal action was taken at the meeting to change or ratify a signed lease; staff said a physical lease will be prepared once the project is finished and the parties are ready to sign.
Closing note: Councilors invited Skeens to meet with staff for additional records or clarifications and to discuss project details outside the meeting.
