COLUSA, CA (MPG) — The Colusa City Council heard emotional testimony Tuesday from scouts, parents, and volunteers urging the city to keep the historic Scout Cabin free for weekend use after confusion arose about new rental fees listed in the city’s fee schedule.
Although the schedule includes a $120 nonprofit rate for weekend use, city officials said the Scouts have never been charged and that a formal policy is needed to clarify the practice. The discussion followed weeks of concern among local Scout leaders who said staff recently began informing them of required deposits and daily rental fees.
Elizabeth Yerxa, chair of the Parks, Recreation and Trees Commission, reminded the council of the cabin’s roots.
“Boy Scout troops were organized and launched here in Colusa in 1923,” she said. “The city granted the land for the present-day cabin in 1930, and volunteers completed it in 1949. It has been used by the Scouts free of charge ever since.” Yerxa urged the council to “find a way to work with the troops to keep the Scout Cabin free and open to scouts.”
Youth members shared how weekend meetings support community service projects and awards that cannot be completed during school nights.
“Charging to use the cabin really affects Girl Scouts,” said Clara Dragroo of Troop 348, noting her troop used the facility for its Bronze Award project.
Seventh-grader Hannah Deniz said older scouts depend on weekend access.
“The cabin isn’t just a place to meet,” she said. “It’s where we build skills, friendships, and a stronger community.”
City Finance Officer Ish Aziz confirmed the nonprofit rate exists but has not been enforced.
Several parents said staff recently required deposits of up to $200 and daily fees of $150.
“We would have to sell cookies for several days just to rent the cabin for one afternoon,” said troop leader Ashley Deniz, who estimated her troop would need to fundraise for weeks to cover a single day’s use. “It’s just not feasible.”
Former Scout Jim White, who joined Troop 32 in 1949, reminded the council of the cabin’s community origins.
“It has been a marvelous resource for young people all these years,” he said. “Please don’t penalize the kids who really need that.”
Councilmember Greg Ponciano said the fee schedule, approved annually, cannot legally exempt one group over another.
We can’t carve out a single nonprofit in an ordinance,” he said. “But I don’t think we’ve ever charged the scouts, and I don’t see that changing.”
He suggested the city adopt a formal waiver process so the Scouts can continue to use the cabin at no cost without violating the policy.
We just need to make sure there are open lines of communication,” he said.
City Manager Jesse Cain agreed a nonprofit waiver could resolve the issue while keeping the process consistent. He invited troop leaders to meet with city staff to coordinate scheduling and discuss costs for maintenance and utilities.
“We can’t make exceptions by name, but we can create a fair waiver system open to all nonprofits,” Cain said.
Councilmember Denise Conrado praised the youth speakers and supported the waiver idea.
“I understand the importance of scouting,” she said. “I also understand how difficult it is to operate on a thin budget.”
She said maintenance and utility expenses justify charging some groups but not necessarily youth organizations that give back to the community.
Parks Commission secretary Leslie Poland reiterated that the commission unanimously recommended the city keep the cabin available to scouts, while letters read by County Librarian Stacey Costello from local volunteers echoed that request. Speakers noted the Scouts routinely clean and maintain the property and have improved it through service projects such as painting, landscaping, and building repairs.
Several residents also urged the council to make the process more transparent. Resident Cynthia White said the city should not rely on informal or unwritten understandings.
“An informal arrangement or handshake agreement isn’t enough,” she told the council. “It either has to be clear that nonprofits will not be charged, or everyone must follow the same process.”
White said such ambiguity risks the kind of confusion and inconsistency that has drawn criticism in past grand jury reports. She emphasized that city policies should be publicly accessible and consistent so residents and staff know exactly how to proceed.
“We can’t be in a position where residents feel they have to ‘know someone’ at City Hall to get clarity,” she said. “It needs to be transparent and fair for everyone.”
Her comments drew nods from several in the audience, underscoring a broader public concern about accountability and clear communication in city operations.
District 5 Supervisor Janice Bell pledged to personally sponsor one day of rental per quarter and challenged other local officials to do the same if an agreement cannot be reached.
By meeting’s end, council members agreed to place the item on a future agenda for formal action. Cain said staff will draft a nonprofit waiver policy and train front-desk employees to direct organizations to the city manager for requests. Ponciano said the goal is to protect the cabin’s long tradition while meeting legal and financial requirements.
“The Scouts have always been partners with the city,” Ponciano said. “As long as the communication stays open, I think we can take care of everybody.”