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Martin County

File #: 24-0852   
Type: Departmental Status: Passed
In control: Board of County Commissioners
On agenda: 5/14/2024 Final action: 5/14/2024
Title: MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT FOR THE MARTIN COUNTY COURTHOUSE AND CULTURAL CENTER "HISTORIC COURTHOUSE"
Attachments: 1. 2024 Arts Council Management Agreement.pdf

PLACEMENT: Departmental

TITLE:

title  

MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT FOR THE MARTIN COUNTY COURTHOUSE AND CULTURAL CENTER “HISTORIC COURTHOUSE”

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

executive summary

The Board is being asked to approve a management agreement with the Arts Council, Inc. for the use of the Martin County Courthouse and Cultural Center. The Arts Council is experienced in the management and operation of the property, which is listed on the National Historic Register as a historic site. Utilizing the Historic Martin County Courthouse as a Cultural Center is a stellar example of adaptive reuse of a historic property that allows Martin County constituents the ability to appreciate and enjoy a historic jewel of Martin County.

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DEPARTMENT: Administration                     

PREPARED BY:                      Name: George M. Stokus                      

                     Title:                     Assistant County Administrator                     

REQUESTED BY:                                                

 

PRESET:     

PROCEDURES: None                     

 

BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:

 

1.                     Agreement Prepared By:                                           Martin County

2.                     Parties to Agreement:                                                               Martin County (Owner) & Arts Council (Manager)

3.                     Purpose of Agreement:                                           Operation of the Historic Courthouse

4.                     New/Renewal/Modified:                                          New

5.                     Duration                                                                                     Three (3) Years

6.                     Benefits to Martin County                                           Direct agreement with user of facility and public access

7.                     Cost to Martin County                                           Annual management fee of $70,000

 

In 1989, the County and the City of Stuart entered into an Interlocal Agreement regarding the restoration of and for the City to lease the Old Courthouse for public and cultural purposes.  The County and the City simultaneously entered into a Lease Agreement for the same.  In 1999, the City subleased the Old Courthouse to the Martin County Council for the Arts, Inc. (now the Arts Council, Inc.). The Arts Council has operated the Old Courthouse since that time as the Cultural Center, providing a gallery of rotating exhibits, school art competitions, hosting events, and housing the offices of the Arts Council.

 

On May 8, 2018, the Board discussed termination of the Interlocal Agreement with the City to enter into an Agreement directly with the Arts Council. A new Interlocal Agreement between the County and the City for the City to retain use of and responsibility for the open space and gazebo adjacent to the Old Courthouse, and a Management Agreement for the Arts Council to continue operation of the Old Courthouse as the Cultural Center was adopted on September 24, 2019. The agreement that was entered into in 2019 will expire in 2024 and a new agreement has been executed for the Board to review and approve.

 

ISSUES:

 

None

 

LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW:

 

This item has been reviewed for legal sufficiency to determine whether it is consistent with applicable law, has identified and addressed legal risks, and has developed strategies for legal defensibility.

 

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

 

RECOMMENDATION

Move that the Board approve the Management Agreement with the Arts Council, Inc. for the Historic Martin Courthouse and Cultural Center “Old Courthouse”.

 

ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS

Provide Staff with direction as to how to proceed.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

 

RECOMMENDATION

Annual Management Fee to the Arts Council, Inc.

                     

Funding Source

County Funds

Non-County Funds

General Fund

$70,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subtotal

$70,000

 

Project Total

$70,000


ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS

None

 

DOCUMENT(S) REQUIRING ACTION:

Budget Transfer / Amendment                      Chair Letter                                                               Contract / Agreement

Grant / Application                                          Notice          Ordinance                     Resolution

Other:     

This document may be reproduced upon request in an alternative format by contacting the County ADA Coordinator (772) 320-3131, the County Administration Office (772) 288-5400, Florida Relay 711, or by completing our accessibility feedback form at www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback <http://www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback>.