County support expected for Canoe Outpost; $80,000 aluminum ADA ramp pledged

City staff told the commission on May 8 they have met with county managers and attorneys and expect to handle the Canoe Outpost matter at the staff level rather than taking it to the county commission.

Staff reported that county staff have been “unbelievably helpful” and are proposing ideas to minimize the city’s general-fund impact on the outstanding loan tied to the Canoe Outpost purchase. Staff said the county has offered creative solutions and listed an expected donation of an aluminum, ADA-accessible floating ramp valued at about $80,000 from a partner organization. A staff representative said permitting issues are expected to be manageable and that the ramp donation will proceed.

The commission discussed the need to decide whether to retain the Canoe Outpost and possibly invest in parking or a ramp, or to dispose of the property. Staff noted there are restrictions on who the city may sell the property to and that sale options could be limited by those stipulations. The meeting record does not show a formal commission vote on the outpost’s disposition; staff will return with options and cost estimates before city funds are committed.