That the City Council approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a one-year lease (with an additional second year option) with VCC: The Gary Center for the use of the City-owned properties at 341 and 350 South Hillcrest Street to operate a community resource center.

In 2015 a local non-profit, the Gary Center, merged with the Vista Community Clinic (VCC) and was rebranded as VCC: The Gary Center. Since 2015, VCC: The Gary Center has created a centralized "one-stop" system at 341 South Hillcrest Street for referrals and resources for local individuals, families, and organizations. The current Hillcrest location includes offices and meeting spaces for several local organizations, including the La Habra Collaborative, La Habra Meals on Wheels, Food Distribution, the City's Employment & Training and Homeless Outreach staff, local volunteers, and the faith-based community.  

In 2022, the La Habra Community Resource Care Center (CRCC) Board of Directors voted to dissolve its non-profit organization located at 350 South Hillcrest Street. Since its incorporation in 1985, CRCC worked to provide assistance and support services to the City's homeless and at-risk population. As a result of several contributing factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the CRCC board indicated their desire to transition their food distribution operation to the existing efforts being done by staff at the VCC: The Gary Center and La Habra Collaborative. As a result, and in an effort to support this transition plan, the City Council approved an amendment to the VCC: The Gary Center lease agreement on April 4, 2022, to allow the VCC: The Gary Center to occupy and continue operating food distribution services at the City-owned property at 350 South Hillcrest Street, previously used by CRCC.

If approved by City Council, this lease agreement will allow VCC: The Gary Center to occupy and continue food distribution operations at the City-owned facilities at 341 and 350 South Hillcrest Street for a one-year period commencing December 5, 2023, and ending December 4, 2024. The lease allows the Lessee, at its option, to exercise in writing, a one-year term renewal to extend the lease until December 4, 2025. 

If approved, the lease agreement will require a $1.00 per year lease payment to the City for the use of its properties at 341 and 350 South Hillcrest Street. The terms and conditions of this lease are consistent with prior City Council direction regarding the leasing of City-owned properties to local non-profit agencies that are supporting community needs. Consistent with prior City Council policy direction, this lease will require VCC: The Gary Center to be responsible to pay for all separately metered utility costs and insurance. 

The lease agreement with VCC: The Gary Center is consistent with the following areas of the General Plan:
Goal 6.E  Build and maintain partnerships and collaborations with other government agencies, the business community, local non-profit organizations
Goal 7.C  Provide and maintain quality public services for our residents

It is also consistent with the following City Council FY 23/24 Goals and Objectives:
Goal 6 (Community Outreach and Civic Engagement), Objective E: Build and maintain partnerships and collaborations with other local government agencies, the business community, local non-profit organizations, and the faith-based community