The Community Services Advisory Commission and the Technology Learning Center have until the end of September to work out a new lease arrangement that would keep the TLC classes at the Community Center.

The Town Council approved an extension to the TLC lease agreement through Sept. 28 with an objective to allow classes to continue along with freeing up the space used by the TLC for other activities.

CSAC Vice Chairman Sherm Abrahamson told the council the commission is being portrayed as the “bad guys” trying to throw TLC out of the Community Center.

“That is not true,” Abrahamson said. “We want to allow TLC to use the space, but also make it available to others.

“We have a workgroup on the issue and we need the extension to finish our work.”

Ralph Craner, coordinator for TLC, told the council they are willing to free up the space for other activities if they can use it for three full days each week. Currently the space is dedicated and locked up when TLC is not in session.

However, Craner said his group cannot afford the space if they are charged $15 per hour as staff is proposing. That is the going rate for any non-profit group using the space at the Community Center.

Currently TLC pays $2,090 per year for the room. The rate of $15 an hour for three days at eight hours per day would be around $18,000, according to Craner.

“We appreciate the extension,” Craner said. “We at TLC have other expenses we need to pay, and we are the arm for the town to offer computer learning for residents.

“We cannot afford $15 an hour. There must be another number in between we can work with.”

Councilman Cecil Yates said that while he understands the hourly structure is different, he called what he calculated at $26 per square foot for the space “outrageous.”

Yates suggested that TLC look around town for other options that he believes could be as low at $5 per square foot.

Councilman Nick DePorter said he likes the idea of the TLC being in the Community Center: “I hope three months is enough time (to work something out).”

Councilman Alan Magazine said he does not see tremendous value in having the program at the Community Center, however, he does consider it a valuable asset to the community.

He suggested it might be a good idea to look around at other space, possibly the Kiwanis building or the vacant elementary school (Four Peaks).

Among options proposed to TLC is to turn over all program planning and scheduling to town staff, which would also eliminate any cost to the group.

However, the center operates with minimum-sized classes and the risk of cancellation for traditionally small TLC classes is great. Also participants would likely be required to pay higher costs to take the classes.

TLC has proposed using the room for three consecutive days per week -- weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

TLC would provide a computer class schedule comparable to the training provided last year.

TLC would break down its training computers each night to make the room available for evening rentals.

TLC is suggesting a three-year agreement with payment similar to what it is today ($2,090 annually).

In 2014 TLC offered 287 workshops with 523 students attending. This is a 220 percent increase over 2013 due to offering training for iPad, smart phones and Android systems.

During the first three months of 2015 there have been 204 signed up for classes.

Staff has said due to the lack of space it has had to turn down potential events, double up some activities and decline requests to expand current offerings.