Cedar Rapids Today

The Lisbon City Council recently discussed its lease agreement with local schools for the use of parks and sports facilities.

The deal, which runs until 2027, contains a clause that requires the contract to be reviewed annually and potential changes made.

During its March 27 meeting, the council noted that the City had examined the agreement and some changes had been proposed for the May 1 renewal. Prices remained unchanged, but some items were no longer needed, such as an old practice field and storage shed, which were removed from the agreement. The council also discussed the scoreboard, which was installed in 2018, noting that it would remain in place even if the schools terminated the contract. The school believed they could remove it if the deal ever was terminated.

“They absolutely have to come and have permission to take it,” Mayor Pro Tem Nathan Smith said during the meeting. “Everything that they put into the park is the property of the city, including the scoreboard. That's the way it's always been. I don't know how they can piecemeal portions of this out of that standard procedure.”

It was noted during the meeting that the confusion over the item started because some on the council believed that once it was installed, the scoreboard had to stay no matter how the agreement concluded, while other members were under the impression that the school had the option to remove it after securing approval.

The council debated the issue for nearly 40 minutes, even computing the shared use to determine possible prices and costs to allow the school to purchase the scoreboard back from the city.

It was also noted that once the sports complex is expanded and the amount of use changes, the agreement will have to be significantly revised.

While the school is not considering other options, one councilmember noted that the contract is more than five years old and should be revised and updated. Another member stated that if the school wanted to take the scoreboard or anything else, the school would have to replace it. The council considered adding language to the agreement to that effect.

The council ultimately agreed to review the agreement and discuss it with school district officials prior to renewing the deal on May 1.