County Commission Can’t Agree on Terms of Cherry Hill Community Center Lease

March 31, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

No deal!

The county commission met in special session Tuesday evening for the purpose of leasing the old Cherry Hill Community Center to Jason Carver, the owner of JBeez Watercraft near Silver Point on Highway 56 who wants to possibly open up a restaurant there. But after several motions and amendments, the commission could not muster the seven votes needed to grant the lease.

Carver wants a five year lease with three more renewable five year options up to 20 years. The rent for the first five years would be $500 per month and increase by $100 per month in the subsequent five year intervals ($600 per month in years 6-10, $700 per month in years 11-15, and $800 per month in years 16-20). Under terms of the lease, Carver would be responsible for maintaining the HVAC, roof and septic system and all general upkeep of the building and grounds including walls, floors, ceilings, parking areas, driveways, sidewalk, landscaping, etc. Both the county and Carver would carry liability insurance on the property.

Only nine of the thirteen members of the county commission were present for the special meeting including Julie Young, Sabrina Farler, Myron Rhody, Anita Puckett, Jerry Adcock, Dr Scott Little, Jeff Barnes, Beth Pafford and Bruce Malone. Commissioner Malone left soon after the meeting was opened stating he would not participate in an illegal session. Malone complained that County Mayor Tim Stribling had not given a prior five day advertised notice of the meeting as Malone said was required by state law. County Attorney/ Parliamentarian Hilton Conger said Stribling complied with the county commission’s policies and procedures by posting notice last Thursday on the county’s website and sent notices to members of the commission and local media. Conger went on to say that if commissioners felt adequate notice was not provided they could suspend the rules for this meeting. That was not done. Malone said the county’s rules can’t be in conflict with state law.

Stribling said Malone suggested to him last Tuesday that a special meeting could be called for the following Tuesday (March 30) when he (Malone) knew that the notice could not have been published in the weekly newspaper in time. Now, Stribling said Malone wants to complain about adequate notice.

Like Malone Commissioner Jerry Adcock expressed concerns saying he didn’t get his notice of the meeting until Friday. At one point Adcock started to leave the meeting room but then returned to his seat.

As for the Cherry Hill Community Center issue some commissioners thought the county was acting too quickly and should take more time to consider terms of the lease. Others thought a potential 20 year lease was too long.

Commissioner Jerry Adcock said a lease for that long could tie the county’s hands later if someone stepped up to buy the property. But Commissioner Dr. Scott Little argued that lease extensions were proper since the tenant would be renovating and maintaining county property at his own expense.

“This gentleman is leasing the property and paying for the renovation. I understand his need for an option to continue if he wants to. Its not fair for us to let this man pay for all these renovations to our property and then possibly take it back from him in five years,” said Commissioner Little.

The issue may be brought back up at the next regular meeting in April.

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