SANDPOINT — The City Council voted unanimously to extend the Sandpoint Sailing Association’s memorandum of understanding at the Windbag Marina to a 10-year term last week.

SSA came to the council to request a longer-term MOU, rather than the city’s standard of three-year maximum MOUs, to provide the organization with more stability. SSA President Taylor Long said the group is actively trying to fundraise to replace its ageing keel sailboat and buy more boats to expand its instruction.  

“We've got a ton of momentum behind us right now... our boats are aging. They need to be replaced,” Long said. “It's hard to fundraise and go out and write grants and whatnot, when our MOU is year to year. So, I would just ask that, you give us the opportunity to continue.” 

The MOU allows SSA to use four small sailboats slips and two full-size boat slips at the Windbag Marina, where the organization can moor its boats. The local non-profit uses those boats to provide youth sailing programs in the summer and allows members to use them to go out on Lake Pend Oreille at a low cost, Long said. 

The council's decision followed public comment by members and supporters of SSA testifying. Dan Sheckler, whose father Keith Sheckler helped found the SSA, said he now runs the Coeur d’Alene Sailing Club and when he travels to Sandpoint, he sees the need for the organization to upgrade its boats. 

Zola Coleman, a teenager who lives in Sagle, said the SSA has helped her grow immensely in her three years with the program. 

“Sailing with SSA has made me who I am today,” Coleman said. “Sailing has helped me grow a ton, the community has really supported me and the youth classes are amazing. Just being outside on the water racing, it's got me out of my comfort zone and really been a benefit to my life.” 

Following the conclusion of Long’s short presentation, Councilor Pam Duquette quickly made a motion to move forward with the 10-year MOU. Councilor Kyle Schreiber asked if the lease might affect any upcoming maintenance at the marina, which Community Planning and Development Director Jason Welker said was unlikely. 

Schreiber then asked Fonda Jovick, the city’s legal counsel, if the city would be held to a new standard by other organizations if it granted a 10-year MOU.  

“It's a case-by-case analysis,” Jovick said. "There's a statutory determination that you're making when you lease out city property to say that it's not needed for another city purpose at this time. So, you make the finding that it's in the best interest of the city." 

All councilors voted in favor of implementing a 10-year MOU. The full discussion and vote can be found on the city’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/@CityofSandpoint.