HomeMy WebLinkAboutPR 24712: TO EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AND THE YMCA OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF THE WESTSIDE DEVELOPMENT CENTER LOCATED AT 601 W. REVEREND DR. RANSOM HOWARD STREET P.R. No. 24712
TNR 07/8/2026
AGENDA MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
SUBJECT: Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with the YMCA of Southeast Texas
for the Management and Operation of the Westside Development Center
PURPOSE
To obtain City Council authorization for the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of
Understanding ("MOU") with the YMCA of Southeast Texas for the continued management and
operation of the Westside Development Center, located at 601 W. Reverend Dr. Ransom Howard
Street, for a twenty-four(24)month term.
BACKGROUND
The Westside Development Center was constructed with funding from Motiva Enterprises LLC in
connection with its refinery expansion project and was donated to the City of Port Arthur as a lasting
investment in the community. On December 11, 2012,the City Council accepted ownership of the
facility pursuant to Resolution No. 12-587 for use as a community development center.
To establish programming and operations at the facility, the City entered into a Memorandum of
Understanding with United Way of Mid& South Jefferson County pursuant to Resolution No. 13-
024.As the Center's programming evolved,the City transitioned management responsibilities to the
YMCA of Southeast Texas through Memoranda of Understanding approved by Resolution Nos. 16-
171 and 22-078.
Since assuming management responsibilities, the YMCA has overseen the facility's day-to-day
operations and provided recreational, educational, youth development, wellness, and community
enrichment programs that benefit residents throughout Port Arthur.The partnership has enabled the
City to continue offering quality programming while leveraging the YMCA's operational experience
and community resources.
The proposed Memorandum of Understanding renews this partnership for an additional twenty-four
(24) months. During the term of the agreement, representatives of the City and the YMCA will
periodically evaluate the effectiveness of the partnership and develop recommendations regarding
the continuation of services or the future transition of operational responsibilities.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Under the proposed Memorandum of Understanding,the City will provide operational funding in the
amount of$90,000.00 per calendar year to the YMCA of Southeast Texas to assist with the
management and operation of the Westside Development Center, subject to annual budget
appropriations approved by the City Council. ACCOUNT 001-15-043-5470-00-20-000.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Memorandum of Understanding with the
YMCA of Southeast Texas for the continued management and operation of the Westside
Development Center for a twenty-four(24)month term and authorize the City Manager to execute
the agreement in substantially the form presented.
P.R. No. 24712
TNR 07/8/2026
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO
EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR AND THE YMCA OF
SOUTHEAST TEXAS FOR THE MANAGEMENT AND
OPERATION OF THE WESTSIDE DEVELOPMENT CENTER
LOCATED AT 601 W. REVEREND DR. RANSOM HOWARD
STREET, PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS; FUNDING IN THE
AMOUNT OF $90,000.00 FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 IS
AVAILABLE IN ACCOUNT 001-15-043-5470-00-20-000.
FUNDING FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027 IS SUBJECT TO
APPROVAL AND APPROPRIATION OF THE BUDGET
WHEREAS, the Westside Development Center, located at 601 W. Reverend Dr. Ransom
Howard Street,Port Arthur,Texas,was constructed through funding provided by Motiva Enterprises
LLC in connection with its refinery expansion project as a lasting investment in the City of Port
Arthur and its residents; and
WHEREAS,by Resolution No. 12-587, adopted on December 11, 2012,the City Council
accepted ownership of the Westside Development Center and its improvements for use as a
community development facility dedicated to serving the citizens of Port Arthur; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 13-024, the City Council authorized a Memorandum of
Understanding with United Way of Mid & South Jefferson County to assist with the initial
development, programming, and administration of the facility; and
WHEREAS, the City subsequently entered into Memoranda of Understanding with the
YMCA of Southeast Texas pursuant to Resolution Nos. 16-171 and 22-078 for the continued
management, programming, and day-to-day operation of the Westside Development Center; and
WHEREAS, through these partnerships, the YMCA of Southeast Texas has provided
recreational, educational, wellness, youth, and community-based programming that advances the
public purpose for which the facility was established and enhances the quality of life for residents of
the City of Port Arthur; and
WHEREAS,the City desires to continue its partnership with the YMCA of Southeast Texas
by renewing the Memorandum of Understanding for an additional twenty-four(24)month term to
ensure the continued operation, management, and programming of the Westside Development
Center; and
WHEREAS, under the proposed Memorandum of Understanding, the City shall provide
funding in the amount of$90,000.00 per calendar year to support the operation and management of
the Westside Development Center,subject to annual budget appropriations by the City Council;and
WHEREAS,the Memorandum of Understanding further provides that representatives of the
City and the YMCA of Southeast Texas shall meet during the term of the agreement to evaluate the
effectiveness of the partnership and develop recommendations regarding the continuation,
modification, or transition of management responsibilities for the Westside Development Center;
and
P.R. No. 24712
TNR 07/8/2026
WHEREAS,the City Council finds that renewing the Memorandum of Understanding with
the YMCA of Southeast Texas serves a valid public purpose by ensuring the continued operation of
the Westside Development Center as a community resource that promotes youth development,
healthy living, community engagement, and neighborhood revitalization.
NOW THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF PORT ARTHUR,TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The facts and opinions in the preamble are true and correct.
SECTION 2.The City Manager is hereby authorized to execute a Memorandum of Understanding
between the City of Port Arthur and the YMCA of Southeast Texas for the management and
operation of the Westside Development Center, located at 601 W. Reverend Dr. Ransom Howard
Street,Port Arthur,Texas,for a term of twenty-four(24)months,substantially in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit "A."
SECTION 3.Funding in the amount of$90,000.00 for fiscal year 2026 is available in account 001-
15-043-5470-00-20-000. Funding for fiscal year 2027 is subject to budget approval and
appropriation.
SECTION 4.A copy of the caption of this Resolution shall be spread upon the Minutes of the City
Council.
READ,ADOPTED,AND APPROVED,this day of ,2026 AD,at a
Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur,Texas by the following vote:AYES:
Mayor:
Councilmembers:
NOES:
•
Charlotte M. Moses, Mayor
ATTEST:
Christe Ned Whitely, City Secretary
P.R. No. 24712
TNR 07/8/2026
APPROVED A
Roxann Pais Cotroneo
City Attorney
APPROVED&AAD 'I► TRATION:
Ronald Burto ,
City Manager
APPR S 'ED AS T
FUN t • VAILA: TY:
Ly A ' oswel M.A., ICMA-CM
D. rector of Fi ance
Cl' on William , CPPB
Purchasing Manager
P.R. No. 24712
TNR 07/8/2026
Exhibit "A"
MEMORANDUM of UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN
The City of Port Arthur and
YMCA of Southeast Texas
This document and partnership are in reference to the West Side Development Center
administration.
Background
The West Side Development Center was built with funds provided by Motiva, following the
Motiva crude expansion project. The gift of the West Side Development Center stands as a
reminder of Motiva's partnership with the City of Port Arthur and the community as they
celebrated becoming the largest refinery in the nation.
The vision and mission of the center is to serve as a location where non-profit organizations can
provide services and deliver programs for residents. In the summer of 2015, representatives from
Motiva and the City of Port Arthur contacted a representative from the YMCA of Southeast Texas
to discuss the possibility of the YMCA of Southeast Texas taking over the day-to-day operations
of the West Side Development Center. At the August 2015 Board of Directors meeting,
representatives from Motiva and the City of Port Arthur presented the opportunity to the Board of
Directors. The Board of Directors voted to approve a collaboration with the city and the YMCA
to operate the West Side Development Center as long as there is a zero net result on the YMCA's
financials.
Mutual Understanding of Key Partners
With respect to the facility, the City of Port Arthur and the YMCA of Southeast Texas agree that
the YMCA of Southeast Texas will continue offering development, programming assistance, and
administration of the facility through a partnership with the City of Port Arthur.
The YMCA of Southeast Texas Commitment
The YMCA of Southeast Texas agrees to develop the policies for the West Side Development
Center, provide staff support for the facility janitorial and administration needs, develop a section
of their website to highlight the West Side Development Center, seek programs that meet the
intended vision of the facility,market the facility, develop a brochure to assist in the marketing of
the facility to the area, develop a process for the reservation of the facility, and the day to day
management of the facility. Pursuant to City Ordinance, no smoking or alcohol is allowed in the
building. The YMCA of Southeast Texas agrees to these stated responsibilities with the
understanding that the funds to support the facility's daily operations will be provided through
grants, not from the YMCA of Southeast Texas's operations or donations.
The City of Port Arthur Commitment
The City of Port Arthur agrees to designate one staff person as the primary contact for all reporting
and transitioning activities. In addition to a point of contact, the City of Port Arthur will provide
free lawn maintenance,water,garbage,and sewer, as with other city facilities.The insurance needs
and requirements for the structure, contents, and liability are the responsibility of the City of Port
Arthur, as the owner of the facility and grounds. The City of Port Arthur will provide $90,000.00
per calendar year to the YMCA of Southeast Texas for operations at the West Side Development
Center. The City of Port Arthur entrusted the administration and daily management of the West
Side Development Center to the YMCA of Southeast Texas.
JULY 2026
MEMORANDUM of UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN
The City of Port Arthur and
YMCA of Southeast Texas
Grievance/Conflict Mediation
Should any conflict arise, the YMCA of Southeast Texas and the City of Port Arthur agree to
professional mediation services within Jefferson County, Texas.
Time Frame of Agreement
This Memorandum of Understanding will remain in effect for 24 months, with the understanding
that the City of Port Arthur and YMCA of Southeast Texas representatives will meet at a date,
time, and location to be determined to evaluate the partnership and develop a plan for continuing
the relationship or transitioning the administration fully or partially to the City of Port Arthur.
Early Termination
If at any point during the term of the agreement either party wishes to terminate the relationship,
they may do so with 60 days'written notice to the other party. Upon receipt of a termination notice,
the City of Port Arthur's point of contact and the YMCA of Southeast Texas CEO will schedule a
meeting within two weeks of the notice to discuss an amicable transition of administrative and
programming responsibilities.
This agreement is entered into on the day of , 2026, and will remain in effect
as outlined within the document or until such time as either party files written termination notice
with all parties.
Ron Burton Kevin Pearson
City Manager CEO
City of Port Arthur YMCA of Southeast Texas
Date Date
JULY 2026