The leases for four of McComb’s city-owned buildings — the railroad depot, Percy Quin Memorial building, State Theater and the American Legion hut — will be reviewed and may be changed.
In response to past requests from citizens, city administrator Quordiniah Lockley discussed details of the leases at Tuesday’s city board meeting. The findings led to more questions, particularly the validity of 50- and 99-year leases.
The State Theater building is leased to the Pike County Arts Council and is used for performing arts, occasional and other community purposes. The lease runs for 50 years and expires June 30, 2027. The council pays $1 in rent annually.
The Legion hut is leased in a 99-year deal that went into effect on May 4, 1934, and will expire in 2033. The building is used as a war memorial and for other recreational purposes or for other nonprofit organizations. The American Legion pays $1 per year for use of the building.
The organization pays the water bill, takes care of the adjacent caretaker’s home, and replaced the roof on the home after it was blown off during Hurricane Katrina.
Mayor Zach Patterson renewed his concerns about the leases and suggested the city take another look at them, citing the city’s equal opportunity and fiduciary responsibilities.
Board attorney Wayne Dowdy said legal justification will be necessary, but he will do what the board directs him to do.
“I don’t think 99 years in and of itself invalidates the lease,” he said. “If the board decided new leases are in order for some of these projects, I will draw it up.”
“We have to look back in time and see where the city was at that time and make sure that all citizens had the opportunity to participate,” Patterson said. “And I’ll tell you, in 1934, all citizens of McComb, Miss., did not have a right to participate.”
The depot is leased to trustees of the Pike County Economic Development District, but the lease expired in 2000 and has not been renewed since then. The economic development district pays the city $700 per month for use of the facility that includes all gas, water and electric service. Patterson said one of the building’s recent bills amounted to $1,450, well more than the cost of the rent.
The other building in question is the Percy Quin Memorial building at the corner of North Broadway and Michigan Avenue, which is leased to the McComb Garden Club. The city finances the water, maintains the building, heating, air conditioning, roof and lawn. That lease expired Dec. 31, 1997.
“This is a sensitive issue for whatever reason, but this is about prudent management, legal management of a property,” Patterson said. “In these times, we have to review these leases and make sure they’re fair and equitable.”
Patterson appointed a three-person citizen panel to review leases, utilities expenses and liabilities of these buildings, and report findings and recommendations back to the board. He named Eddie R. Smith, Ronnie Temple and Patsy R. Butler to the panel, with Smith as president.
Temple declined to join the panel by letter because he has not lived in McComb for several years and is an official with the McComb Exchange Club, which is involved with one of the leases in question.
Lockley will serve on the committee in an advisory capacity.
“I believe this board of mayor and selectmen have a fiduciary responsibility as it relates to the city of McComb, citizens and properties,” Smith said. “I don’t believe anyone can give the city’s money away like we’re doing with these leases.”committee in an advisory capacity.
“I believe this board of mayor and selectmen have a fiduciary responsibility as it relates to the city of McComb, citizens and properties,” Smith said. “I don’t believe anyone can give the city’s money away like we’re doing with these leases.”
