The Clearwater City Council agreed Monday to move ahead with a lease to the Clearwater Lions and the Clearwater-Clear Lake Food Shelf.

 

Last year, the council discussed creating some type of agreement to cover utility costs at the Lions Pavilion. Both the Lions and food shelf use the facility.

 

In the past, the Lions made donations to the city, but the amount did not always cover the cost of maintenance and utilities.

 

Earlier this year, the food shelf and the Lions were presented with a draft three-year lease from the city for review. The lease would require a $6,000 payment each year.

 

Monday, Administrator Kevin Kress said after reviewing the lease, the Lions proposed covering the costs for all utilities, including the food shelf’s portion of the building, but they wanted the lease payment language of $6,000 removed. Instead, bills would be sent directly to the Lions to reimburse the city for any utility charges.

 

Members of the council agreed with those terms, but Councilman Chris Ritzer, also a member of the Lions, said there might be a legal issue. 

 

“I’m trying to think if the Lions Club can legally use gambling funds to pay (for utilities)” he said.

 

He said a better option would be for the Lions to make a donation to the food shelf to cover utility costs. Then the food shelf would be responsible for reimbursing the city. 

 

“I think that would be a good solution,” he said.

 

Members of the council agreed, and directed Kress to make adjustments to the lease.

 

Domestic Partnership Ordinance

The council agreed to move ahead with establishing a Domestic Partnership ordinance.

 

Business owner Wendy Lemke presented the idea. She said if the city had a registry, co-habiting residents could sign up and potentially be eligible for medical benefits under their partner’s insurance.

 

She said in 2008, Gov. Tim Pawlenty vetoed a bill that would establish a statewide registry for domestic partners.

 

“But that didn’t prohibit cities from allowing a domestic partners registry,” she said.

 

The rules state any couple applying as domestic partners must live or be employed in the city; are committed to one another to the same extent as married persons and are jointly responsible for necessities of life. 

 

About 20 cities in Minnesota have it, said Lemke.

 

“Basically, what they need is a government document that states they meet the requirement for domestic partnership,” said Kress. “Then they can go to the employer with the hopes that they’ll cover them. But it doesn’t guarantee coverage.”

 

He said the process of drafting an ordinance and permit structure and amending the fee schedule would cost between $500 and $600.

 

The council approved moving ahead with drafting an ordinance.