Report Prepared by: Christopher Jensen, Director, Parks & Community Services
Title
SUBJECT: Consideration of 2024-2025 Youth Center Lease & Service Agreements for Use of the Central Youth Center (27th & K Street), McCombs Youth Center & McNamara Youth Center by Youth Service Providers.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Staff is seeking the recommendation of the Recreation & Parks Commission for the extension of current contracted Youth Service Providers for one additional year (FY24/25). Each center is currently in operation by contracted Youth Service Providers and each have expressed an interest in extending their use of the facility for fiscal year 24/25.
RECOMMENDATION
Recreation and Parks Commission - Adopt a motion:
A. Recommending approval of extending the lease agreement with the Boys and Girls Club of Merced County & revising the City allocation of $35,000 to $25,000, for use of McCombs Youth Center and,
B. Recommending approval of extending the lease agreement with the Restorative Justice League for use of the Central Youth Center and,
C. Recommending approval of extending the lease agreement with the Challenged Family Resource Center for use of the Central Youth Center and,
D. Recommending approval of extending the service agreement with the Lifeline CDC for use of McNamara Youth Center
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as presented by the Parks and Recreation Staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to other than recommended by Staff (identify specific findings and/or conditions amended to be addressed in the motion); or,
3. Deny; or,
4. Refer to staff for consideration of specific items (specific items to be addressed in the motion);
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200.
DISCUSSION
City Council has requested that Youth Centers be contracted to outside youth serving organizations to ensure cost effective, diversified youth programming across various geographic locations in Merced. The structure created to facilitate these arrangements come in the form of lease agreements or service agreements. City Council has provided direction that service/lease agreements should be considered on a year-to-year basis with the potential for agreement extensions for no more than three consecutive years, based on performance as reviewed by the Recreation & Parks Commission.
To ensure the Recreation & Parks Commission make the most informed recommendations possible to City Council, as it relates to requested agreement extensions, each youth service provider is given quarterly activity reports to complete and provide on a quarterly basis to the Commission. In addition, Commissioners are escorted through each youth center on field site visits to see facilities, staff, and services firsthand.
City Council relies on the Recreation and Parks Commission to provide annual recommendations for either extension or termination of current agreements. These recommendations are considered by City Council for an ultimate decision on facility use.
The one agreement that would have a modification would be for the use of the McCombs Youth Center. This facility agreement includes a typical allocation of $35,000 to offset utility costs and other expenses but will be reduced to $25,000 for fiscal year 24/25 due to impacts on the department budget.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
Each Youth Center is budgeted for a shared expense of $7,500 other than the McCombs Youth Center which is budgeted $25,000 for fiscal year 24/25. These expenses are currently budgeted in the proposed 24/25 Department budget.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Challenged Family Resources Center Quarterly reports
2. Restorative Justice League Quarterly reports
3. Lifeline CDC Quarterly reports
4. Boys and Girls Club of Merced County Quarterly reports
5. Challenged Family Resource Center Lease Agreement
6. Restorative Justice League Lease Agreement
7. Lifeline CDC Lease Agreement
8. Boys and Girls Club of Merced County Lease Agreement