Council votes to amend and extend lease agreement for shooting club

The City Council voted unanimously this week to extend the lease for the Boulder Rifle and Pistol Club, subject to certain changes to the lease terms.

Brok Armantrout, manager of revenue, contracts and real estate in the city’s finance department, introduced the topic.

“The city has had a lease with the Rifle and Pistol Club since 1961 and throughout all these years the city has made efforts to renew the lease and enjoy the relationship we have with them,” he said.

The club is currently operating under a 10-year lease extension that was taken up in 2021. According to staff reports and Armantrout at the meeting, there were some things the club wanted to change at the time of the last extension and the city was not willing to make the changes at that time. Negotiations are ongoing and according to Armantrout, the negotiated changes are all things both the city and the club can live with.

Many of the changes appear to be a result of problems last year when there was a shake-up in the club’s management. Allegations of financial irregularities were made and it emerged that most of the board members lived in Henderson and two were related by marriage.

Under the new rules, the majority of board members must be Boulder City residents and none can be third-degree relatives. Additionally, the club must submit an annual report detailing the number of resident and nonresident members and annual revenue, and have an independent audit conducted at least every two years.

While the current lease already runs through 2031, the city has approved an additional 10-year option, but only if the club can transfer the lease to a qualified 501-C3 nonprofit organization.

And the cost to members is increasing. Part of the agreement with the city states that any increase in membership fees for Boulder City residents must be approved by the city. Currently, the fee for British Columbia residents is $100 to join and a $75 annual renewal fee. Under the new agreement, the initial fee will be $150 and renewals will be $100. In addition, fees to use the firing range will increase from the current $10 for two hours to $25 for two hours.

Board Chairman Mike Pacini addressed the council and said, “We have been through a transition period with some challenges over the last year at the Boulder Rifle and Pistol Club, but with that comes opportunities. A new board and a chance to work with all of you to make our club an even better partner to the city and residents, to look ourselves in the mirror and improve for the members.”

Pacini said that in the past, it hasn’t been easy to get into the club, even for British Columbia residents. He himself tried to get in for six years without success. “And I helped them get their last lease renewal,” he said.

As a result of this issue, Pacini pointed out that the club recently launched a membership drive for Boulder City residents and that 263 city residents have joined the club. There are currently 3,065 members, 768 of whom are locals.

Pacini said he is trying to be a “better partner” and suggested the club work with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department to develop a gun safety course for families.

“There are people out there for whom talking about firearms is taboo,” he said. “And I completely appreciate that. I’m not pushing anything on anybody. But I want people to take a moment and think about if they have children or grandchildren. At some point in their lives, they’re going to live in a household where there’s probably a firearm. And I think it’s smart of us to definitely have those conversations.”

Addressing some public comments at a previous meeting, Pacini added, “Some people have thought and said that the council is trying to take control. And I want to say that this council has always been nothing but supportive and grateful for the resource that the Boulder Rifle and Pistol Club is for the city and Southern Nevada.”

Both Councilmember Cokie Booth and Steve Walton are members of the club and have read the required disclosures. Matt Fox asked when the next membership drive would be held, as he had missed the last one, and Pacini offered to organize one for him and other councilmembers and city staff “immediately.”