SALC/LS City lease still not signed
Thu, 03/17/2022 - 9:40am
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By:
Marcie Klomp ~ News Editor tpdeditor@crescotimes.com
LIME SPRINGS - Call it a discussion, call it an argument, call it a test of wills, whatever it is, the lease between Spring Ahead Learning Center (SALC) and the City of Lime Springs will again be on the agenda for April.
Nothing was resolved at the March 1 meeting. Observers continue to hope some progress was made at the meeting, but that has been the hope since the issue came up at the May 2021 meeting.
Over the past 10 months, the City has discussed a fair lease amount, as well as how long the lease should be for — one year or three years.
At the Sept. 7, 2021, Council approved a three-year lease for $150 per month with SALC paying its own garbage and the City billing Hawkeye’s current rate of $89.58.
The lease was to be sent to the new City Attorney Bart Seebach. He sent back a request for a liability clause in SALC’s insurance for molestation and abuse for employees.
In the months since the request, Council asked SALC to find out if the learning center could get the clause. Board member Carolyn Nagele reported to Council in November the center’s insurance agent said it was impossible to get the liability insurance added to their policy.
Council asked to get that in writing and also get a statement from another insurance agency that liability cannot be purchased.
Director Jodie Hubka and her board called around and found it is not offered.
At the March meeting she stated none of the insurance companies wanted to get involved.
City Clerk Jane Tibbals explained, “The insurance companies don’t want to make statements like that without first writing up a thorough proposal.”
There were discussions/arguments between council and SALC members and community and council members, while Mayor Brian Johnson tried to bring a solution that works for the City of Elma and Elma Early Childhood Center.
The Elma groups work together on a verbal agreement, which was not satisfactory to City Council member Kris McNamara nor Hubka.
Community members Doc and Joyce Lyon wanted the City and SALC to come to an agreement. She said, “This town doesn’t have a lot to offer. We need to keep everything we can.”
Community member Eddie Miller suggested to Council, “Drop the request for liability insurance. Get some trust back in the community.”
Council person Jennifer Kalstabakken replied the City has asked for two denial letters, which it hasn’t received.
Hubka reiterated, “The other insurance companies will not get involved with the City.”
Kalstabakken then asked, “What are you wanting from us?”
Hubka replied, “We thought it was cleared up last fall, when you voted. At that time it was a one-page lease. Your lawyer made it a [3.5]-page lease.”
Council person Jeff Burnikel said he wanted to make sure that nobody could come back on the City if something happened with one of the SALC’s employees.
Hubka read a letter from SALC board president Nagele. She stated the number one priority is the safety of the children.
As it stood at the end of the meeting, Hubka was taking the suggestion of a verbal agreement back to her board. She will report to Council at the next regular meeting on April 5.
SALC history
LIME SPRINGS - Spring Ahead Learning Center (SALC) and storm shelter was a collaborative project between Howard-Winneshiek CSD, the City of Lime Springs, business owners and community members. Childcare providers were also involved in its construction.
A steering committee was formed in 2007. Planning and fund-raising followed, with the building opening on Feb.4, 2013.
It included day care and three- and four-year-old preschool. The elementary school closed in 2015, which then meant the four-year-olds would attend preschool in Cresco.
The facility has always paid rent/lease to the City, with a yearly lease agreement.
The lease was expiring on June 30, 2021, and Council was asked to look over the then current lease, starting in May. The building is used by Spring Ahead but is also an emergency storm shelter.
In June, it was stated the learning center paid a $150 lease per month, along with heat, electricity and insurance of its contents. The City paid for water, pest control, fire safety checks, alarm checks, building structure insurance, snow removal, lawn mowing and building maintenance.
