Report Prepared by: Christopher Jensen, Director, Parks & Community Services
Title
SUBJECT: Commission to Appoint Members to Facility Use Subcommittee to Review Proposals Submitted for Lease of Stephen Leonard Youth Center
REPORT IN BRIEF
Commission to appoint three Commissioners to serve on Facility Use Subcommittee with Staff to Review and Rank Proposals Submitted for Lease of Stephen Leonard Youth Center.
RECOMMENDATION
ADOPT A MOTION - Appointing three commissioners to the Facility Use Subcommittee to review and rank proposals submitted for use of Stephen Leonard Youth Center.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommend by Staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by Staff; or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to Staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
5. Continue to a future meeting.
AUTHORITY
City of Merced Charter, Article 12- Boards and Commissions, Section 712 Recreation & Parks Commission Powers and Duties- C. Assist in the planning of recreation programs for the inhabitants of the City, promote and stimulate public interest therein, and to that end, solicit to the fullest extent possible the cooperation of school authorities and other public and private agencies interested therein.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
As provided for in the 2025-2026- FISCAL STABILITY, consider options to add new revenue sources - cost recovery strategies
DISCUSSION
The City of Merced Parks & Community Services Department invited qualified organizations, service providers, and community-focused partners to submit a Request for Interest (RFI) to lease and operate programs and services at the Stephen Leonard Youth Center for youth and their families.
The RFI was open for approximately 1 month. The City is particularly interested in youth development, educational support, family services, workforce development, health and wellness programs, cultural programming, and other community-serving uses that enhance access and promote positive outcomes.
To provide City Council will a formal recommendation, the Commission will need to appoint a subcommittee of three members to review the proposals in detail with staff, ranking them and providing a top 3 for consideration of the Recreation Commission in March and submitting a top candidate to City Council for consideration in April.
The schedule for the process has been extended because of conflicting timelines and is now planned as follows:
• February
o Monday Feb. 23rd the Recreation & Parks Commission will create a subcommittee to review all applications with staff and provide rankings for City Council Consideration.
§ Meeting takes place at 5:30pm in Council Chambers (678 W 18th Street, Merced CA 95340) but applications will not be reviewed here, the Commission will be selecting Subcommittee members to review the applications on a separate date.
§ Applicants are more than welcome to attend but are not required.
• March
o Subcommittee will meet with P&CS staff to rank applications.
o March 23rd Recreation & Parks Commission- Rankings will be shared with Commission will discuss and top three proposals will be advanced for consideration by Council in April
• April
o Top 3 Applications will be reviewed by City Council either on April 6th or April 20th, dependent on Agenda schedules
§ All applicants will be made aware well in advance of the date
§ Council will make ultimate decision on proposals
• May
o Lease Agreement will be finalized by both City and selected Vendor
• June
o Begin move in and service delivery
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No impact on City resources at this time.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Request For Interest for Stephen Leonard Youth Center