Council OKs 10‑year MOU with Sandpoint Sailing Association to support youth programs

The Sandpoint City Council authorized staff March 4 to proceed with a proposed 10‑year memorandum of understanding with the Sandpoint Sailing Association at Windbag Marina, a move advocates said will allow the nonprofit to pursue fundraising and equipment upgrades for its longstanding youth sailing program.

Taylor Long, identified as the association’s president, and Dan Sheckler told council the group operates hundreds of lessons and weekly sailing nights, and that multi‑year tenure at the marina would enable donors to fund higher‑cost, higher‑performance training boats. Sheckler said a decade-long agreement would give the association certainty to invest in replacement equipment and expand programming.

Council members asked staff about maintenance implications and whether longer-term leases would set a precedent; city attorney guidance emphasized each lease or MOU is a case‑by‑case statutory determination that must show city property is not needed for another purpose. Inland Forest Management (consulting foresters) and City staff said no immediate maintenance conflict was expected with the 100‑dock area used by the association.

Council voted in favor to authorize staff to move forward with the 10‑year MOU; Schreiber asked staff to ensure legal protections and flexibility are included. The association said the agreement will help keep youth access to Lake Pend Oreille strong and attract regional participants.