TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: A. Jerome Fletcher II, ICMA-CM, MPA, City Manager
TITLE: Discussion and Possible Direction Regarding the Establishment of a Reduced Rental Rate for the North Port Senior Center, Inc. to Utilize the George Mullen Activity Center, Located at 1602 Kramer Way, North Port, FL 34286.
Recommended Action
Discussion and possible direction regarding the establishment of a reduced rental rate for the North Port Senior Center, Inc., to utilize the George Mullen Activity Center, located at 1602 Kramer Way, North Port, FL 34286.
City Commission Options
Option 1: Direction to create a flat rental rate of $200 per month for up to 120 hours of monthly facility use, mirroring the rent payment identified in the current Lease Agreement between the City of North Port and the North Port Senior Center, Inc.
• Pros:
o Maintains affordability by remaining consistent with rate specified in current Lease Agreement.
o Simplifies transition since the Senior Center is already accustomed to this rate.
o Demonstrates goodwill and commitment to the delivery community-based health and human services and educational programs.
o Allows for potential expansion of program offerings.
• Cons:
o Does not reflect true cost of the rental space.
o Could set a precedent for other organizations requesting discounted rental space.
o Loss of revenue for the City compared to standard rental rates.
o May create perception of inequity among other facility users paying higher rates.
Option 2: Direction to create a flat rental rate for up to 120 hours of monthly facility use at 10% of the standard rate, consistent with the discount extended to North Port youth athletic organizations.
• Pros:
o Creates consistency across City programs by applying similar discount formula.
o Balances affordability for the Senior Center with fairness to other groups.
o Supports shared use philosophy without extreme subsidy.
• Cons:
o Rate increase may cause financial strain to North Port Senior Center.
o Could require an adjustment to the Senior Center’s budget and fees.
Option 3: Direction to apply the existing 501(c)(3) non-profit hourly rental rate discount of 25% for up to 120 hours of monthly facility use.
• Pros:
o Aligns with established rental rate discount for not for profits as identified in Appendix A - City Fee Schedule.
o Ensures an equitable approach across all not for profits.
• Cons:
o Hourly based calculation will likely result in fluctuating monthly costs.
o Adds administrative complexity for tracking and billing hours.
o May discourage expanded programming of activities.
o Substantial rate increase compared to current lease payment.
Background Information
The following provides a chronological order of events related to the North Port Senior Center operations:
Ø September 23, 2025: During the City Commission Regular Meeting, Social Services Division staff bought forward a modified Lease Agreement to facilitate the North Port Senior Center’s use of the Community Education Center.
The following action was taken by the City Commission:
§ Motion: To approve the Fourth Amendment to the Lease Agreement by and between the City of North Port, Florida, and the North Port Senior Center, Inc. for space at the Community Education Center located at 4940 Pan American Boulevard, North Port, Florida, as amended to expire on June 30, 2026. The motion carried unanimously.
Ø October 6, 2025: During the City Commission Workshop, staff from the Department of Public Works presented information related to the condition of the Community Education Center building located at 4940 Pan American Boulevard, North Port, Florida. Options to decommission and demolish or repair and upgrade the building were reviewed. This prompted discussion about future accommodations for its leaseholders, including the North Port Senior Center.
The following actions were taken by the City Commission:
§ Consensus #1: There was consensus to make a commitment that staff and Commission will work aggressively on a solution that retains the services that the occupants of this building currently provide to the community.
§ Consensus #2: There was consensus to direct the City Manager to work with staff, to engage with the current occupants of the building to identify minimum space requirements and to identify what they might be able to provide to help craft a solution.
§ Consensus #3: There was consensus to direct the City Manager to work with staff to identify the cost of and replacing the current structure in the most cost-effective way, and document cost of providing trailers should they be needed by the occupants to continue to provide services.
Ø December 1, 2025: During the City Commission Workshop, staff from the Department of Public Works, Social Services Division, and Parks & Recreation Department presented several options to address the future facility needs of the North Port Senior Center, Inc., Awaken Church, North Port Art Center and Kiwanis Club. Specifically, the North Port Senior Center, option #4 of the staff summary included a recommendation to relocate the North Port Senior Center to the George Mullen Activity Center.
The following actions were taken by the City Commission:
§ Consensus #1: There was consensus to direct the City Manager to work with the Awaken Food Pantry and Outreach Center to explore repairing the deficiencies at the existing Community Educational Center and to allow the Awaken Food Pantry and Outreach Center to continue at the current location.
§ Consensus #2: There was consensus to direct the City Manager to work with the North Port Senior Center to move its operations to the George Mullen Activity Center and to explore the move with either City staff managing the programming or the Senior Center to continue managing the programming.
§ Consensus #3: There was consensus to direct the City Manager to work with the North Port Art Center and Kiwanis Club to find available land for them to locate their operations and to draft land lease options.
Under the current Lease Agreement, the Senior Center utilizes approximately 4,880 square feet within the Community Education Center building to deliver community-based health and human services; educational programs; and related administrative uses. Per Section 2. - Use of Premises, the lease requires a minimum of 32 hours of use per week, with a maximum allowance of up to 50.5 hours weekly. According to Section 4., Payments Due to Landlord, the tenant must pay monthly rent of $200 due on the first day of each calendar month. In addition, internet and telephone charges are to be assessed to the tenant by the City.
At this time, the Parks & Recreation Department does not have the availability or capacity to fully replicate the time and space currently being provided under the Lease Agreement. However, subsequent to discussions with the Parks & Recreation Department staff and Senior Center Board members it was concluded that most activities can be accommodated with minor scheduling modifications and more efficient use of available spaces. Through this collaborative effort, the base weekly usage can be streamlined to 29 hours per week. For purposes of this recommendation, staff propose a calculation of 30 hours per week, or up to 120 hours per month. It should be noted that Parks & Recreation staff will complete all set-up and break-down of tables, chairs and equipment for scheduled activities, reducing the time and effort previously required from Senior Center members.
Because of shared use of the space at the George Mullen Activity Center, exclusivity is not an option. Therefore, it is recommended to transition from a Lease Agreement to a flat monthly rental fee for a bulk number of hours within the facility. This approach accommodates shared space scheduling; meets the Senior Center’s programming needs; and aligns with existing fee structures approved as part of the City Fee Schedule.
Pending Commission discussion and direction, staff will finalize the rate recommendation and prepare an amended Ordinance to update Appendix A - City Fee Schedule. These items will then be brought back for the Commission’s consideration at a future City Commission Meeting.
Strategic Plan Pillar
Quality of Life
Financial Impact
Staff will prepare an Ordinance amending the Code of the City of North Port, Florida, - Appendix A - City Fee Schedule in alignment with Commission direction.
Procurement
Not applicable.
Attachments:
1. Presentation
2. September 23, 2025, Meeting Minutes
3. October 6, 2025, Meeting Minutes
4. December 1, 2025, Meeting Minutes
5. Executed Original Lease Agreement
6. Fourth Amendment to Lease Agreement
7. Appendix A - City Fee Schedule
Prepared by: Sandy Pfundheller, Parks & Recreation Director
Trish Sturgess, Parks & Recreation Assistant Director
Cheryl Greiner, Senior Business Manager
Shelby Mendelson, Recreation Manager
Department Director: Sandy Pfundheller, Parks & Recreation Director