Report Prepared by: Jennifer Arellano, Recreation Supervisor, Parks and Recreation
Title
SUBJECT: Provide Direction to Staff for Use of Stephen Leonard and McNamara Youth Centers After the Current Contracts Expire Including, but not Limited to, Renewing Contracts with Current Tenants, Conducting A Request for Interest for Use of the Centers, or Making a Recommendation that Staff Offer Programming at one of the Sites
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers making a motion to direct staff on how to proceed with expiring leases at Stephen Leonard and McNamara Youth Centers.
RECOMMENDATION
Make a motion recommending how to proceed with expiring leases at Stephen Leonard and McNamara Youth Centers.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Deny; or,
3. Continue to a future meeting (date and time to be specified in the motion).
DISCUSSION
The Stephen Leonard Youth Center and McNamara Youth Center Leases are expiring September 30, 2020. Staff is seeking direction from the Commission on whether to renew contracts with current partners, to publish a Request For Interest for the Centers to determine if there are other community groups interested in leasing the centers to provide youth services, or if the department should again offer programming out of one of the buildings.
McNamara Youth Center, located at 1040 Canal Street and Stephen Leonard Youth Center, located at 640 T. Street, were originally used by the Parks and Recreation Department to offer after school programs, youth activities and other events. However, due to budget cuts, the department has not offered regular programming at the sites since 2012.
In 2014, in order to see the sites utilized, City Council directed staff to find community groups interested in leasing both buildings in order to offer drop-in youth services at the centers. In December of 2014, McNamara Youth Center was leased to 4 community groups, including: Symple Equazion, MOJO, Lifeline CDC, and Merced Calvary Assembly of God. By the time the contract was due for renewal, only Symple Equazion and MOJO remained in the building. Contracts were renewed with both tenants until 2018 when only Symple Equazion remained in the building offering youth services and after school programming, and has continued until the current time.
In August of 2015, Stephen Leonard Youth Center was leased to Soccer Academy of Merced, Inc. Contracts were continually renewed with the leasee until the current time.
The Parks and Recreation Department could offer programming out of one of the buildings if the next disbursement of Measure Y funds were budgeted for this purpose. Staff is asking Commissioners for direction as to the next steps for the use of these two buildings.