Amending YMCA agreement considered

Avon City Council’s Finance Committee is evaluating options for amending its operating agreement with the French Creek Family YMCA.

On April 12 city of Avon Finance Director Bill Logan said in discussions with YMCA leadership they are considering extending and amending the agreement after re-financing their debt service on the building in 2020.

The $14 million building located at 2010 Recreation Lane was constructed around 2010 and Logan said the original agreement required the YMCA to pay for 40.75 percent of the total debt service — a $5.6 million principal — which is paid on a monthly basis.

When the city refinanced, it generated a savings of about $500,000 with Logan suggesting they frontload the savings for the YMCA in 2021 and 2022. In discussions with YMCA leadership, Logan said they are interested in extending the agreement to 2040 with the revised payment terms.

The city would aim to classify the payments from the YMCA as rent in an amended agreement and negotiate more payments for maintenance and repairs. Currently, the city pays all maintenance costs on the building over $1,000.

Logan said the proposal would have advantages for both sides with the YMCA getting an extended rent term with some savings and Avon potentially getting a break on maintenance costs.

Finance Committee members Tammy Holtzmeier and Bob Butkowski were encouraged and want to continue the discussions.

“They’ve been a good partner and a good tenant for the city and to continue that is something I would encourage,” said CouncilAt-Large Member Tammy Holtzmeier.

She stressed the importance of keeping that relationship with the city strong as their facilities and programming is an asset to the city.

Logan would like to reach an agreement with the YMCA by the end of 2021 to enable the city and the YMCA to start fresh in 2022 with revised terms.

The building is scheduled to undergo an appraisal in the next 30 days or so in order to establish a fair market value for rent in a potential agreement.