Town terminates PCA contract

During the Monday, Nov. 17 regular meeting of Cathlamet’s Town Council, Councilmember Robert Stowe asked for a motion to be put on the meeting’s agenda. Stowe’s motion was “to terminate the contract between the Town of Cathlamet and the Pioneer Community Association (PCA), effective Dec. 31, 2025.” On May 17, 2010, PCA and the Town of Cathlamet (TOC) entered into a real estate lease agreement regarding the Cathlamet Pioneer Church on 125 Columbia Street. In the agreement, the church was labeled “a property of major historical, architectural and cultural significance” and PCA was recognized as “desirous of leasing the premises to the Town of Cathlamet.” According to the agreement, TOC was “desirous of leasing the premises from the lessor.” The lease was “for and in consideration of $1 per year.” While “Term (a)” in the contract states, “for a term of 60 years, such term beginning on June 1, 2010 and ending at 12 o’clock midnight on May 31, 2070,” the subsequent “Term (b)” states, “TOC may at any time, with or without cause, terminate this agreement upon the giving of thirty (30) days written notice to PCA.”

Upon introducing his motion, Stowe presented a document to fellow council members, Town Attorney Fred Johnson, and Mayor Olson. The document states, "The Town entered into a contractual agreement with the Pioneer Community Association on (or about) 17th of May, 2010.” Stowe’s document also states, “the Town has determined that continuation of said contract is no longer in the best interest of the Town due to financial concerns.”

Mayor David Olson asked Councilmember Stowe if he "would consider putting it on the Dec. 1 agenda so the Pioneer Community Association can be notified.” In response, Stowe said, “They're already aware. They already know this. This is not a surprise to anybody. We discussed it here in council before.” Whether it be over zoom or in person, Stowe has continually battled with Olson during Town Council meetings. After another brief exchange between him and Olson, Stowe said, “I'm asking the council. I'm not asking you. I'm asking the council if it's okay.”

Stowe’s document also states, “The contract provides for termination under certain conditions, including but not limited to requiring 30-day notice,” and “The Town Council of Cathlamet has the authority to terminate municipal contracts in accordance with Washington State law and the municipal code.”

Considering the next session of Town Council would be exactly 30 days prior to the motion’s Dec. 31, 2025 stipulation, Stowe preferred Council take action sooner rather than later. As Stowe was handing out his document to the council members, he approached Olson with a copy. The mayor asked Stowe to “take his seat.” Agitated, Stowe repeatedly asked Olson, “Do you want a copy or not?”

Councilmember Joe Baker, noticing the tension between the two, said, “We don't want to do this when there's so much anger."

Stowe’s motion goes on to state, “The Town Clerk and/or Town Administrator is directed to issue formal written notice of termination to the Pioneer Community Association in accordance with the terms of the contract, including all required deadlines and procedures, ensure that all Town obligations under the contract are fulfilled through the termination date, take any additional actions necessary to effectuate the termination in compliance with state and municipal law.”

When public comment arose on the matter, Librarian Vicki Franklin expressed her concern over how the termination of the contract would affect the library’s ability to use the Pioneer Center for events. Speaking on behalf of the Town, Councilmember Joe Baker said, “They will do nothing to jeopardize the library's access to events at their site."

Before the motion was made, seconded, and approved unanimously, Johnson noted the Pioneer Community Association, being the land owners, “will be responsible for maintenance and repair.” Noting he and Council “have been working very hard to reduce our budget,” Stowe said the idea “was to give the PCA a message so they can run it themselves” and that “all indications are they are capable.” Stowe closed his argument, saying, “It's time for us to let them.”

Following Council’s decision, Olson said,” My view is that the action of Councilmember Stowe in bringing a cancellation of the PCA lease to the Council last evening without notice to the PCA Board, without including it on the published Council agenda, and without prior review by Town staff and the town attorney is regrettable, and not the way the Town should conduct public business. The fact that the Council endorsed the action is equally regrettable.”

Regarding Monday’s motion, PCA President Suzanne Holmes said, “It’s not a surprise decision, given the dire financial condition of the Town. We had anticipated it. One of our really important board members and also a [former] Town Councilmember is Kermit Chamberlin. He kept us apprised of the situation with the Town. While disappointed, I’m not surprised. In our budget considerations as early as last March, we were moving forward, anticipating that the Town would not be able to continue to provide the support that they have...We’re not shocked. We were ready for that decision.”