Agenda Item Wording:
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Approve a lease agreement - Authorize the City Manager to execute a new lease agreement with the Tulare County Office of Education for the continued lease of a portion of the Manuel F. Hernandez Community Center for operation of the Tulare County Early Childhood Education Program.
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Agenda Date: 06/01/2026
Prepared by: Ivan Nicar, Parks and Facilities Manager 559-713-4564; ivan.nicar@visalia.gov; Jason Glick, Parks and Recreation Director 559-713-4042; jason.glick@visalia.gov.
Department Recommendation: Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a new lease agreement with the Tulare County Office of Education (TCOE) for the continued lease of a portion of the Manuel F. Hernandez Community Center for an initial one-year term, with the option to extend for an additional one-year period.
Summary:
The proposed action authorizes the City Manager to execute a new lease agreement with the Tulare County Office of Education (TCOE) for continued use of a portion of the Manuel F. Hernandez Community Center to operate early childhood education programming. The agreement would begin July 1, 2026, for a one-year term with an option to extend for an additional year.
This lease continues a longstanding partnership that provides preschool services to Visalia families and ensures uninterrupted program delivery following the expiration of the current agreement in June 2026. The proposed lease includes a first-year rent of $20,794.54, with future adjustments based on CPI, along with TCOE’s proportional share of utilities and maintenance costs.
Approval supports ongoing community programming while maintaining cost recovery for facility use.
Background Discussion:
The City of Visalia has a longstanding partnership with TCOE to provide pre-school programming for families in Visalia. This partnership includes TCOE leasing the Fairview Community Center and portions of the Manuel F. Hernandez Community Center.
On January 6, 2020, the Council authorized the Fairview Community Center lease agreement, retroactive to July 1, 2019, for an initial five-year term with up to two additional five-year extensions. The longer-term lease enabled TCOE to qualify for additional grant funding for facility improvements.
On July 18, 2022, the Council authorized an additional one-year lease agreement for the Manuel F. Hernandez Community Center with an option for an additional one-year extension. TCOE exercised this extension, with the lease set to end in June 2026. TCOE has expressed interest in continuing the partnership.
The proposed lease agreement, if authorized by Council, will commence on July 1, 2026, for an initial one-year term, with the option for a one-year extension, for a maximum term ending June 30, 2028.
Fiscal Impact including annual maintenance and operating costs: The new proposed lease amount for the first year is $20,794.54. Any extension will include an annual adjustment based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all urban consumers, as published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additionally, TCOE will pay a proportional share of utilities and landscape maintenance charges based on total square footage.
Prior Council Action:
• July 18, 2022: Authorized an additional one-year lease agreement for Manuel F. Hernandez Community Center with a one-year extension option.
• January 1, 2019: Authorized a five-year lease agreement for Fairview Community Center.
• July 13, 2009: Authorized five-year lease agreements for both Manuel F. Hernandez and Fairview Community Centers with one five-year extension option.
Alternatives: As directed by Council.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize the City Manager to execute a new lease agreement with the Tulare County Office of Education for the continued lease of portions of the Manuel F. Hernandez Community Center for an initial one-year term, with the option to extend for one additional year.
Environmental Assessment Status: N/A
CEQA Review: N/A
Deadline for Action: 06/01/2026
Attachments: Draft Lease Agreement between the City of Visalia and the Tulare County Office of Education for use of the Manuel F. Hernandez Community Center, with a term of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, including TCOE-signed copy.
Current Lease Agreement between the City of Visalia and the Tulare County Office of Education, including an executed one-year extension, with a term ending June 30, 2026.
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Check all that apply.
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