Council directs staff to negotiate replacement to decades‑old parks lease

City staff told the Dunsmuir City Council that the current lease with the Park & Recreation District — originally written in 1946 and presently running to 2043 — contains maintenance obligations the district may no longer be able to meet. Interim City Manager Michaelson framed three options: (1) unilateral termination by the city, (2) termination by the district, or (3) mutual termination and replacement by a new agreement. “1 option is the city just terminates the lease on its own,” Michaelson said while outlining the choices.

Mike Rodriguez, the district’s executive director, told the council the district’s staffing has been reduced and that the district and its counsel are reviewing options; he said the district is willing to work with the city to reach a solution that preserves summer reservations and community events. City Attorney Lim advised caution for unilateral action: “I think it’s safest if the term, if the lease is going to be terminated, that it’d be by mutual agreement of both parties,” he said, recommending any change be memorialized in writing and returned as a resolution to the council and the district board.

Council members pressed staff to explain how recent, informal city maintenance differs from a formal change in responsibility. One council member proposed continuing the temporary services the city has been providing for six months while the interim city manager and legal counsel work with the district and its attorney to draft a replacement agreement; council signaled general consensus for that direction. The council did not adopt a final termination tonight; staff was directed to negotiate alternatives and return with a formal recommendation or resolution.