The fate of San Martin Lions Clubs’ cherished community center
on Murphy Avenue was postponed after District 1 Supervisor Don Gage
asked to move the item to Aug. 10’s county supervisor agenda.
The fate of San Martin Lions Clubs’ cherished community center on Murphy Avenue was postponed after District 1 Supervisor Don Gage asked to move the item to Aug. 10’s county supervisor agenda.
The quibble among the county, Gavilan College and the San Martin community came after the Lions Club, which maintains and operates the meeting hall, were told their time on airport property was likely over after 27 years of residency. The building and 5-acre parcel would be leased by Gavilan College for its aviation program – a use that is required, the county says, since the land is on airport property and funded in part by a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration.
In 1983, the Lions took on a 20-year lease and paid $1 a year to the county, but in 2004 the county requested they pay the fair market value rate of the time at $4,500 per month, an amount the Lions refused to pay. So, they moved to a $100 month-to-month agreement.
Had the item passed the board of supervisors this morning it would have authorized the airport director to negotiate a lease with Gavilan and essentially move forward with kicking the Lions Club out.
Lions Club member Alan Black and his wife Annie testified at the meeting on behalf of the club and the nearly one dozen clubs and non-profit groups that utilize the building.
Black said after the meeting that he asked Gage and the other four supervisors to continue the item until a later meeting so the Lions and community could look into solutions.
“It’s not over. We have until August to put together a strategy that’s a win-win so each of the parties can come out of this with a benefit,” Black said.
