Council agenda includes lease termination notice for two downtown businesses; Janine Pope signals possible recusal

Staff notified the council of a notice of termination of lease for Punta Gorda Coffee & Tea and Punta Gorda Chocolate and Wine. Council member Janine Pope said she would discuss the matter with the city attorney and indicated she may need to recuse herself from any decision.

A council member asked whether prior rent forgiveness had been factored into the loss calculation for the leases. Staff responded that previously approved rent forgiveness had been excluded from the remaining months shown in the termination calculation because it had already been handled through counsel. Council did not take formal action on the termination at the pre-agenda meeting; the matter remained on the agenda for the upcoming meeting.

Next steps: Janine Pope will consult with the city attorney about recusal, and staff will provide the city attorney’s guidance and any additional lease information at the regular meeting.