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Museum given new 20-year lease
By LEON M. TUCKER, Times Staff Writer
SAFETY HARBOR -- The City Commission has given the Safety Harbor Museum of Regional History a 20-year lease, an unexpected commitment that follows a recent history of financial problems at the institution. Citing major concerns about the museum's ability to remain solvent, city leaders at first considered renewing the lease with the facility for only a year. But museum director Robin Bajkiewicz told commissioners Monday night that the museum needed a 20-year lease to be eligible for some state grants. That persuaded the commission to extend the museum's lease to 20 years -- 10 more than the last lease, which expires April 30. The city owns the land and the museum building at 329 Bayshore Blvd. S. As was the case with the former lease, the museum will pay the city $1 per year. "I'm real happy the city has found it in their means to give us a 20-year commitment in recognition of what was accomplished and what we are going to accomplish," said Mark Hildebrand, president of the museum board of directors. "The initial thought was to do a one-year lease and, given the problems the museum has had in the past years, I understand that." Last summer, the museum experienced some turmoil when its former director reported the facility was in financial trouble and needed help. This prompted the museum to ask the city for $40,000 -- 40 percent of its operating budget -- to keep the museum's doors open. Concerned about the possibility that money was misused, the city postponed the museum's request for money and called for an audit of its funds. Last September the results of the audit showed no problems with the way the organization has handled money in the past year, clearing the way for the city to grant the museum $40,000 to help with operating costs. But this isn't a free ride. The new lease agreement is attached with a condition that allows the city to terminate it, without reason, with 120 days' notice. In addition, the lease can also be terminated if either party is not living up to the terms of the contract or if the city needs the property for municipal purposes. "What it still boils down to -- and don't tell us it's our responsibility to give you money -- is you have to make sure there is fundraising," Mayor Pam Corbino told museum board members who also attended the meeting. "I think we are right to put the 20 years in there if it gives us an out." Still, Commissioner Keith Zayac said he wanted to hold a workshop with board members to discuss the financial state of the museum, and his colleagues agreed. That meeting is expected to be scheduled in the coming month. Hildebrand said that so far the museum is operating on a break-even basis but added that he expects a substantial payoff from the organization's annual fish fry scheduled for May 17. Hildebrand said that last year the fish fry brought in about $2,000. This year he said the museum expects to take in about $6,000. "We certainly want to reduce our burden to the city," Hildebrand said. "But on the flip side we need to be able to show support from them." About 6,000 visitors went to the museum last year to see artifacts and exhibits on the native Tocobago tribe that once populated the area. Pottery, arrowheads and other tools also are on display, as well as exhibits on some of the city's pioneers and local families. -- Leon M. Tucker can be reached at 445-4167 or tucker@sptimes.com
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From the Times North Pinellas desks |
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