Last-minute chance may help Lynchburg Humane Society

A last-minute alternative proposal may help the Lynchburg Humane Society snag $240,000 in city funding Tuesday by negating the need for supermajority approval from City Council.

Based on public comments made at finance committee meetings and a recent budget retreat, four council members appear supportive of the request and three appear opposed.

As originally presented, the funding — which would benefit the humane society’s campaign for a new facility — would be considered a donation and require supermajority support or five votes of approval.

But in materials for a council meeting Tuesday, staff outlined an alternate proposal — the money would be characterized as a contractual payment rather than a donation. Contracts can be approved by a simple majority or four votes.

The humane society is seeking a total of $675,000 from the city for its new facility, and a significant increase in its annual fee for acting as the city’s pound.

Tuesday’s request deals only with $240,000 toward the new building. If approved, the money would be pulled from a fund earmarked for the renovation of the humane society’s current home in what is considered an outdated city-owned building.

The funding request was heard last month by council’s finance committee. Three committee members — Mayor Joan Foster, Vice Mayor Ceasor Johnson and Councilman Randy Nelson — spoke supportively.

The committee’s chairman, Councilman Jeff Helgeson, argued against it.

One week later, during a budget retreat, Councilman Michael Gillette said contributing to the humane society’s new building gave him “very little heartburn,” although he had questions about increasing the annual funding.

Councilmen Turner Perrow and H. Cary spoke against giving the money, bringing the informal tally to 4-3.

Under the humane society’s original proposal, the city would have classified its contribution to the new facility as a donation.

But in its alternate proposal, city staff recommends treating the money as a down payment on a long-term lease for space in the new building, considered a contractual obligation.

The terms of the lease would be subject to negotiation. If an agreement could not be reached, the city’s money would be returned.

Deputy City Manager Bonnie Svrcek said the alternate proposal was developed to respond to concerns from some members about contributing public funds to a private building.

It will be up to council to decide which approach is used, she added.

“We’re prepared to do whatever council directs us to do,” Svrcek said. “It is staff’s job to put out alternatives.”

Council will consider the humane society’s funding during a meeting starting at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 900 Church St. It will not be a public hearing item.

Other issues on tonight’s agenda include:

- Selling the old Armstrong School building to Rush Homes, which plans to convert it into housing for low-income people with disabilities.

Rush Homes, a nonprofit, has offered to pay $250,000 for the long-vacant school at 1721 Monsview Place. The sale would be contingent on successfully rezoning the property and financing its redevelopment.

Rush Homes is proposing to build a 28-unit apartment complex, which would be named “Armstrong Place Apartments.” The city would retain control of the athletic fields and continue to have access to the gym.

A public hearing on the proposal will be held Tuesday.

- Granting a permit for a proposed “recovery home” for former addicts at 1100 16th St.

The SAARA Center for Recovery-Lynchburg proposed to lease a house for a small group home for recovering addicts working to rebuild their lives. The home would accommodate up to eight tenants and one live-in supervisor. It would not be a treatment facility, SAARA says, but would have highly structured rules.

To move forward, the project requires a conditional land use permit. A public hearing will be held Tuesday.