Report Prepared by: Christopher Jensen, Director, Parks & Community Services
Title
SUBJECT: Consider the Recreation & Parks Commission Sub Committee Recommended User(s) for Lease of Stephen Leonard Youth Center for the Next Five Years.
REPORT IN BRIEF
Consider the Recreation & Parks Subcommittee Recommended User(s) for Lease of Stephen Leonard Youth Center for the Next Five Years and provide recommended user and top alternates to City Council for final approval.
RECOMMENDATION
ADOPT A MOTION - Recommending Merced Community College be Awarded a Five Year Lease Agreement for use of Stephen Leonard Youth Center with the Option to Extend an Additional 5 Years.
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 appointed 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.
The Subcommittee reviewed the proposals submitted on 3/19/26. The Subcommittee was supplied with a Review Guide to help in their appraisal of each proposal which concluded with a forced ranking tool to determine the primary candidate and two alternatives for City Council consideration.
The ranking is as follows:
1. Merced Community College- teen and adult education, workforce development, family supports and College for Kids for children
a. Strengths- Vision for use of center, financial sustainability, organizational experience, capacity to activate entire park, College for Kids summer classes
b. Concerns- potential financial barriers for some in community to participate
2. Youth Leadership Institute- History of successful teen center operation in Merced, teen healing, navigation, linkages, and civic engagement & leadership
a. Strengths- History and relationship with teens in the area, focus on quality of life through parks, reconnecting youth to community and giving opportunities to change environment
b. Concerns- limited to teen and transitional age groups
3. Dr. Jennifer M Jones Foundation- tutoring, housing stability, mentorship, career readiness and workshops
a. Strengths- history of working with individuals and families in high stress situations, afterschool support focused on financial and educational literacy, housing stability, family support workshops
b. Concern- May not have direct link currently with immediate community, need to divert funding from other sources to cover operations
4. Community Commons Collaborative- Resource hub of seven organizations, multilingual programs, arts and crafts, safety education, sobriety support, legal assistance, opioid education
a. Strengths- Resident focus, wide range of unique services/programs, multilingual
b. Concern- Collaborative not actively established, programs may be so unique they could limit who uses services
5. Gods Love Outreach Ministries (GLOM)- after school activities, workforce readiness, life skill training, family engagement, culturally responsive enrichment
a. Strength- hours of operation (afternoon and evening), experience operating programs in south Merced, good neighbor practices to reduce any conflict with general community.
b. Concerns- age limitations for participation (older teens)
6. CalLinks- community hub, afterschool youth center, community anchor events
a. Strengths- understanding of school/neighborhood conditions, monthly family nights, youth showcases and afterschool programming
b. Concerns- limited scope of youth (justice involved, transitional age, young parents)
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
No impact on City resources at this time.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Request For Interest for Stephen Leonard Youth Center
2. Subcommittee Review Guide
3. Merced College Proposal
4. Youth Leadership Institute Proposal
5.