The City Council on Monday voted to approve a proposed Letter of Intent between the City and First Christian Church that could result in the future lease and eventual donation of the church property, located at 520 S. Osage Ave., to the City of Bartlesville.
The council had discussed the matter during two previous council meetings, during which a number of concerns were raised regarding the then-proposed Memorandum of Understanding, a legally binding agreement between the City and FCC.
The proposal approved Monday includes the replacement of the MOU with a non-binding Letter of Intent pending a more detailed, legally binding agreement in the future based on findings of a feasibility study to determine the need for a conference center in Bartlesville and the feasibility of the church property serving in that capacity.
“We believe the LOI best expresses the intent of the parties to outline the nature of a future agreement without binding the parties to action prematurely,” City Manager Mike Bailey said in a staff report to the council last week.
Per the agreement, FCC will transfer the property to the City for use as a conference center. In the event that the City elects not to utilize the property in that capacity, FCC (or a designated representative) will consider a request from City to utilize the facility for an alternate use. FCC may accept or reject the City’s alternate use proposal at Church’s discretion, the letter states. The City must notify FCC of its intent before May 31. The City may request a month-to-month lease of the facility for a cost of $1 if additional time is needed to evaluate the property for use as a conference center. The lease term may not extend beyond June 30, 2023 unless mutually agreed upon by both parties.
Also per the terms of the agreement, the City must create a committee prior to renovation of the facility, which must include at least one former church member. In the event the City elects to accept the property as a donation, two existing columbaria and an interfaith chapel must remain on the property and be maintained by the City, and, to the extent that it is possible, the words “First Christian Church” must remain on the exterior of the building. Additionally, any stained glass windows that are removed must be made available to former church members.
Staff is in the process of drafting the Request for Proposals for the feasibility study, funding for which was approved by the City Council on Dec. 6.