It’s official.

Starting in April, the Albert Lea Community Theatre will be the operator of the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center.

The Albert Lea City Council on Monday approved a three-year lease agreement with the theater group for the use and operational authority of the downtown building.

Both groups hope the agreement will help the theater be better utilized. It will also save the city staff time and resources.

“I just want to say congratulations and thank you,” said 2nd Ward Councilor Larry Baker. “This has kind of been long-coming.”

Baker said discussions regarding the issue started in 2008 when Randy Erdman was mayor. That is the same year the building was named after Hollywood actress Marion Ross.

ACT board member Mary Ellen Johnson said she and the other members are excited the agreement was approved, and they hope to work with other art groups in town for use of the building as well.

ACT Co-President Tony Segura said the group has selected member Neil Lang to be manager of the building, and there will also be a management committee that Lang will work with and then use as a liaison back to the rest of the board.

The building has been without a formal manager for at least two years with a reduction of city funding toward the facility.

 

What’s in the agreement?

Under the agreement, the city will not see net cost savings the first year “with the exception of staff labor and time” but it will see savings in the second and third years.

The city and ACT have agreed to a structured declining scale for city expenditures on the building. The first year, the city will pay $1,167 per month to go toward utilities; the second year, the city will pay $834; and the third year, $625. Otherwise, ACT is responsible for paying for all water, sewer, gas, electricity, telephone, computer connections, garbage removal, window cleaning and snow removal carpet cleaning at least once a year.

The city will be responsible for snow removal on sidewalks surrounding the building and removing trash at least once a week. It will also be responsible for maintaining plumbing, electrical and heating and air conditioning.

ACT will be responsible for day-to-day use of the building, including maintenance of the sound system and lighting, janitorial service, day-to-day building maintenance and private rentals of the theater.

The theater has 255 seats.

ACT will pay the city $10 per year.

The agreement states ACT will make all necessary cosmetic repairs of the building, but the city will be responsible for repairs of floors, walls, ceilings and other parts of the building damaged or worn through normal occupancy.

The city will be responsible for maintaining insurance on the building.

Either party will be able to terminate the agreement without cause with a 180-day written notice.

Segura said the theater group will be meeting in the near future to set up rental rates.

Groups can reserve the space by calling 507-377-4371.