Item 2C: Approval of Trude Kaufman Center Lease

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Approval of Kaufman Senior Center Lease Meeting Date: May 10, 2010 Agenda Item Number: 2C Department: LRCS/Recreation Staff Contact: Craig Smith www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5334 ISSUE STATEMENT The City Manager proposes leasing the Kaufman Senior Center to Cascade Health Solutions Adult Center program for two (2) years beginning July 1, 2010. BACKGROUND The current lease agreement for use of the Kaufman Senior Center by the Emerald Empire for Council on Aging (EECA) will expire on June 30, 2010. For the past five years, EECA has subleased a large portion of the building to the Cascade Health Solutions (CHS) Adult Center to provide services for individuals with physical and mental disabilities. Although CHS's services benefit the community, they do not specifically offer the community center services identified when the City entered into an agreement with EECA in 2005. EECA is no longer able to meet the senior community center service requirements of the contract, and is not requesting a new lease. There is no other identified entity prepared to step in and provide those services. However, closing the facility while other options are pursued is not desirable because the building would be a financial liability and an attractive nuisance that could attract vandalism and other problems associated with empty buildings. A short-term lease agreement with CHS will allow the City the opportunity to explore other options for the building. A short-term lease agreement with CHS will also provide it with sufficient time to transition its program services to another location. History: 1972: Trude Kaufman donated the home to the City of Eugene to benefit senior citizens. It became a City of Eugene Community Center for senior services. 1997 – 2003: The City of Eugene initiated budget cuts that eliminated its recreation program services at the Kaufman Senior Center. The City entered into a cooperative agreement with Lane Community College (LCC) to allow Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) to operate as a neighborhood community center serving seniors. City of Eugene provided the building, LCC provided the operating capital, and RSVP provided the programming and staffing. 2003: Lane Community College withdrew its financial support to RSVP. Council Resolution 4773 authorized an initial two-year agreement between the City of Eugene and the newly formed non-profit Z:\CMO\2010 Council Agendas\M100510\S1005102C.doc