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Home My WebLink About02/17/2026 09.E. Discussion - Request For Interest (RFI) letters for operation of Washington Fruit Community Center and Harman Senior Center 'V + ''i i 1�• r y/I i t,"gin.;:::: __-`` BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDA STATEMENT Item No. 9.E. For Meeting of: February 17, 2026 ITEM TITLE: Discussion regarding the Request For Interest (RFI) letters for the operation of Washington Fruit Community Center and Harman Senior Center SUBMITTED BY: Ken Wilkinson, Parks & Recreation Manager SUMMARY EXPLANATION: During the 2026 City of Yakima budget discussions, the direction from City Council was to solicit interest from various organizations regarding their possible interest in operating the Washington Fruit Community Center and the Harman Senior Center. Request for Interest letters have been drafted. The Washington Fruit Community Center has funding budgeted until June 30, 2026, and the Harman Senior Center has funding budgeted until December 31, 2026. Request for Interest letters will gauge the interest from organizations that have the capacity to manage multi-purpose public recreation facilities and initiate the Request for Proposal (RFP) process for the operation of the two community centers. ITEM BUDGETED: N/A STRATEGIC PRIORITY 24-25: A Resilient Yakima RECOMMENDATION: Discussion. ATTACHMENTS: Harman_Center_RFI_Letter.docx WFCC RFI Letter.docx 111 February 10, 2026 Re: Request for Interest — Harman Senior Center Management and Operation The City of Yakima Parks and Recreation Division has operated the Harman Senior Center since 2005. The Harman Center is a 16,000-square-foot multi-use facility featuring meeting rooms, a large lobby area, social gathering spaces, a coffee bar, and a ballroom that can be divided into three sections. The facility also includes a commercial kitchen, outdoor patio space, and a parking lot with 110 spaces, including designated handicapped spaces. The Harman Center currently hosts a variety of senior-focused programs, including exercise classes, arts and crafts, wellness checks, and community events such as the Ice Cream Social, Holiday Bazaar, and Veterans Day Celebration. It is also available for private rentals. Yakima Valley Seniors Incorporated, a local nonprofit, provides volunteer support and uses the facility for fundraising events that benefit senior programs and building improvements. The City of Yakima is considering engaging an organization to manage and operate the Harman Center beginning in 2027. Before initiating a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) process, we invite organizations to submit a Letter of Interest. Submission of a Letter of Interest does not obligate your organization to submit a proposal later nor does this Request for Interest obligate the City in awarding a contract to do this work. Letter of Interest Content Please include the following information: • Organization Name • Main Contact Name • Contact Information (phone, email, mailing address) • Organization Statement of Purpose • Staff Capacity to operate a 16,000-square-foot multipurpose facility, as well as operate and maintain the grounds surrounding the facility including, but not limited to, the parking lot. • Brief List of Potential Staff with experience in facility operations • Financial Capacity — Provide a summary of your organization's ability to manage and operate the facility, including annual operating budget and primary funding sources • Nonprofit Status (if applicable) • List of Programming Experience for senior-focused activities 112 • Preliminary Transition Plan — How your organization would assume operations and engage the community Submission Details Letters of Interest must be submitted by 2:00 PM on March 15, 2026, to: Yakima City Clerk's Office 129 N. Second Street Yakima, WA 98901 Questions? Contact: Ken Wilkinson — Parks & Recreation Manager Phone: 509-576-6416 I Email: Ken.Wilkinson@YakimaWA.gov Leslie Richards — Recreation Program Supervisor— Harman Center Phone: 509-576-6402 I Email: Leslie.Richards@YakimaWA.gov Thank you for considering this opportunity to serve our community. We look forward to hearing from you. Respectfully, Ken Wilkinson Parks & Recreation Manager Leslie Richards Recreation Program Supervisor 113 February 10, 2026 Re: Request for Interest — Washington Fruit Community Center Management and Operation The City of Yakima Parks and Recreation Division has operated the Washington Fruit Community Center since 2021. The Washington Fruit Community Center is an over 11,000-square-foot multi-use facility featuring meeting rooms, a lobby area, social gathering spaces, and a ballroom that can be divided into sections. The facility also includes a commercial kitchen, outdoor patio space, and a parking lot with 21 spaces and plenty of street parking. The WFCC is adjacent to Miller Park. The Washington Fruit Community Center currently hosts a variety of programs, including senior exercise classes, arts and crafts, wellness checks, and community events. It is also available for private rentals. The center currently provides an after- school program, Beyond the Bell, Monday through Friday during the school year. The City of Yakima is considering engaging an organization to manage and operate the Washington Fruit Community Center beginning in July of 2026. Before initiating a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) process, we invite organizations to submit a Letter of Interest. Submission of a Letter of Interest does not obligate your organization to submit a proposal later nor does this Request for Interest obligate the City in awarding a contract to do this work. Letter of Interest Content Please include the following information: • Organization Name • Main Contact Name • Contact Information (phone, email, mailing address) • Organization Statement of Purpose • Staff Capacity to operate a 11,000-square-foot multipurpose facility, as well as operate and maintain the grounds surrounding the facility including, but not limited to, the parking lot. • Brief List of Potential Staff with experience in facility operations • Financial Capacity — Provide a summary of your organization's ability to manage and operate the facility, including annual operating budget and primary funding sources • Nonprofit Status (if applicable) • List of Programming Experience for community focused activities • Preliminary Transition Plan — How your organization would assume operations and engage the community 114 Submission Details Letters of Interest must be submitted by 2:00 PM on March 15, 2026, to: Yakima City Clerk's Office 129 N. Second Street Yakima, WA 98901 Questions? Contact: Ken Wilkinson — Parks & Recreation Manager Phone: 509-576-6416 I Email: Ken.Wilkinson@YakimaWA.gov Kim Lopez — Recreation Program Supervisor—Washington Fruit Community Center Phone: 509-576-6482 I Email: Kim.Lopez@YakimaWA.gov Thank you for considering this opportunity to serve our community. We look forward to hearing from you. Respectfully, Ken Wilkinson Parks & Recreation Manager Kim Lopez Recreation Program Supervisor 115