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File #: 26-265    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Action Items Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 3/20/2026 In control: Recreation & Parks Commission
On agenda: 3/23/2026 Final action:
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.
Attachments: 1. 25-26- Stephen_Leonard_Youth_Center_RFI.pdf, 2. 3.19.26 SLYCSubcommittee Propsal Review Guideline and Forced Ranking Tool.pdf, 3. Merced College RFI-Stephen_Leonard_Park_FINAL.pdf, 4. Youth Leadership Institute RFI-Stephen_Leonard_Park_FINAL.pdf, 5. Dr. Jennifer Jones Foundation_ Legacy Project- Proposal for Stephen Leonard Youth Center.pdf
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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 ...

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