Milan City, MSHL Negotiate Terms for One-Year Lease

Milan City and Milan Seniors for Healthy Living agreed to terms for a one-year lease at a 90-minute meeting Thursday April 16. 

“We’re actually drawing up the lease right now and then both parties will vote on it,” MSHL Board President James Giordani said Friday.

Mayor Ed Kolar confirmed terms were negotiated, but not ratified, and said the city expects to receive a new lease proposal for the senior center from Milan Seniors for Healthy Living for the city’s review. 

“Once our legal representation has given their approval the city council can have a glance for their consent,” Kolar said.

In an email sent out Friday morning, Giordani said:

“Mayor Ed Kolar, Councilwoman Marie Gress, MSHL’s attorney Guy Conti, and I met for 90 minutes on Thursday, April 16, 2026. We candidly discussed many aspects of the relationship between the City of Milan and Milan Seniors for Healthy Living.

As of this writing, both parties believe a one-year lease will provide the time necessary to come to terms on a long-term lease and millage plan. Mr. Conti is working hard to have a potential one-year lease ready for City Council and MSHL board to review early next week.

Although it is not a long-term solution, this agreement represents a commitment of both parties to move forward, as partners, to serve our community’s seniors.

We appreciate the time, input, and insight provided by Mayor Kolar and Councilwoman Gress and expect to finalize long-term agreements in the near future.”

Councilmember Marie Gress, who is the city’s liaison to the senior center, said she hopes MSHL uses the year to get the city the information they have requested.

“There is a lot of work ahead,” Gress wrote. 

Milan City and the Milan Seniors for Healthy Living’s contract expired in July 2024. The city had proposed creating its own senior program if an agreement could not be reached.

Lead Image: Photo courtesy of Milan Seniors for Healthy Living