The purpose of this item is to request Council approval of the ranking of proposals received in response to Solicitation No. 21-RFP-04, for the provision of supervised general recreation, summer, and after-school youth programs; authorize the City Manager to negotiate a lease agreement with the top-ranked organization, the YMCA of the Suncoast; and authorize the City Manager to act on the Council’s behalf by sending a letter terminating the month-to-month lease with the current tenant of the city-owned building located at 405 SE 7th Avenue.  As discussed by the Council at its regular March 9th, 2020 meeting, a need exists in the community for structured recreational programs, particularly for our youth.  Further, the City owns a building at 405 SE 7th Avenue, adjacent to Legrone Park, that could serve as a base of operations for such programs.  The current occupant  leases the building on a month-to-month basis, as they allowed their lease to expire in 2019 without requesting an extension.  As stated in the no-cost lease agreement, the building is being used primarily for storage and limited office space to support the tenant’s organizational mission.

In an effort to fill a long-existing service gap in the local community, the City issued a request for proposals to solicit an organization to provide general recreation, summer, and after-school youth programs at the facility located at 405 SE 7th Ave.  The City publicly advertised the request in the local paper and on the City’s website.  Three organizations submitted proposals:  Boys and Girls Club of Citrus County, S.P.O.T. Family Center, and the YMCA of the Suncoast.  (Proposals are available in the City Clerk’s office for review).  On April 1, 2021, a team consisting of Council member Ken Brown, Captain John Novy, Deputy Shannon Goodwin (Crystal River Middle School Resource Officer), Jasmine Jackson, and Ken Frink met to discuss the submittals.  The group unanimously agreed with a ranking order of 1) YMCA, 2) Boys and Girls Club, and 3) S.P.O.T. Family Center.