The Stuart Town Council approved some revisions to the Star Theatre lease at its December 20 meeting.
The town will lease the Theatre to One Family Productions, a nonprofit organization, that will operate it.
Councilmember Dave Hoback said one addition to the lease agreement may be to specify the types of events the town will allow the venue to be used for.
“I think in the interest of avoiding headaches and controversies down the road that there probably ought to be some type of policy that may between Bryce (Simmons, Town Manager), and One Family Productions,” he said. “I thought it ought to be tucked in there somewhere.”
Councilmember Erica Wade said she was told that the bylaws of One Family state it can’t have any affiliation with political events.
“I don’t know that that’s helpful in this situation like people could still rent” the venue, she said.
Town Attorney Christopher Corbett said the question is whether the council foresees, anticipates, or worries about events that would reflect badly upon the town.
“We don’t care if it reflects badly on One Family, but we wouldn’t want that to happen. Our concern is the town,” he said.
Simmons said he did not believe it would be an issue.
Corbett said it wouldn’t hurt to add it to the lease.
“I think I could put something in there that says … anything that would reflect negatively on the town, we may reserve the right to ask that the event be canceled,” Simmons said.
In other matters, the council:
*Approved the meeting minutes as written.
*Discussed the proposed noise ordinance.
*Heard the public works updates.
*Approved giving a donation of $1,000 each to the Patrick County Food Bank and the Caring Hearts Free Clinic.
