Grove City Council on Nov. 3 heard first readings of two finance ordinances authorizing addenda to lease agreements with the Southwestern City School District for municipal use of school district properties.

Ordinance C4325 covers the Kingston site and would authorize the city administrator to enter a 10-year addendum (with an automatic 10-year renewal) to the lease the city has held for roughly a decade. Under the proposed change, the school district must provide at least one year notice before reclaiming the facility for district use.

Ordinance C4425 would amend terms for the Brook Park site. The amendment removes references to modular units that no longer exist, limits the city's utility obligation to $25,000 per year, and adds mutual responsibilities for roof maintenance to continue until the lease termination date. The administration noted that any city expenditure above established thresholds still requires council authorization.

Council members asked about purchase options for the Brook Park site. City staff said the district must first offer the property under a state process (for example to charter school operators) and only if that fails would the city be able to purchase the property for $10 under the current terms. The ordinances had their first reading; second readings and public hearings were scheduled for Nov. 17 and no final decisions were made at the Nov. 3 meeting.

Why it matters: The addenda clarify cost-sharing and facility-use terms for sites the city currently occupies and preserve a legislative role for any significant capital expenditures. The Brook Park changes reduce the city's utility exposure but reserve purchase options subject to state procedures.

Next steps: Both ordinances return for second reading and public hearing on Nov. 17.