City of Gonzales
CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: September 15, 2025
FROM: Carmen Gil, City Manager
THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: Agreement with Michelle Slade, C4 Consulting LLC. for Youth Development Services
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a Consulting Services Agreement between the City of Gonzales and Michelle Slade, C4 Consulting, LLC. for rendering services that support Youth Leadership Development; and authorize the City Manager to sign it.
BACKGROUND
The City of Gonzales has been contracting with C4 Consulting for years to support our award-winning youth work. Michelle Slade and her team have been instrumental in helping to develop and guide the Gonzales Youth Council (GYC) and have been working alongside our staff to provide additional capacity. Now more than ever, their support will be critical as we transition to programming a Teen Innovation Center that will offer leadership and career development opportunities.
REVIEW AND ANALYSIS
The Gonzales Youth 21st Century Success Initiative continues to be a driving force of the City as the Council continues to prioritize supporting youth development and growing our own next level professionals. This Agreement continues to support the effort and ensures that there is continuity with the GYC until more internal capacity is developed, especially as we expand into a permanent space with the Teen Innovation Center.
The proposed contract specifically includes support around asset-based youth engagement and leadership development to continue fostering creativity and innovation through the Gonzales Youth 21st Century Success Initiative through a results-based collaborative effort with City staff. It also supports the ongoing AGENDA
ITEM
16 model of peer-to-peer as it supports the engagement and leadership of a former GYC Alumni, who currently works under this contract through C4 Consulting, and it helps us strengthen our program and build capacity for the expansion into the Teen Innovation Center.
The Agreement takes into consideration the City’s tight budget and has been adjusted to reflect a fee that only covers the essential support needed at this time.
Explain Recommendation and How it Supports the Vision
Gonzales will continue to be a safe, clean, family-friendly community, diverse in its heritage, and committed to working collaboratively to preserve and retain its small-town charm.
Explain: This Agreement ensures that the work of the GYC and the Youth 21st Century Success Initiative continues to move forward without losing traction, especially as we expand our services into the Teen Innovation Center.
Explain how the Recommendation Directly Implements the Mission The City Council and Staff of the City of Gonzales will realize our Vision by providing the leadership, commitment, and resources necessary to provide excellent services that enhance the quality of life of our diverse community.
Explain: This Agreement, paid for by Measure K, supports the development of our youth leaders through the Gonzales Youth Council.
City services will be delivered in a cost-effective, respectful, and friendly manner to insure the safety and well-being of the residents and the promotion of business, recreational, housing and employment opportunities in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Explain: This Agreement is essential to ensuing we have the capacity needed to support our growing program into the Teen Innovation Center.
Strong fiscal policies allow us to provide appropriate infrastructure for:
• Public Safety X Yes No N/A
• Housing X Yes No N/A
• Recreation X Yes No N/A
• Environment X Yes No N/A
• Education X Yes No N/A
Explain: This Agreement follows approved fiscal policies and will be monitored to ensure desired results are consistent with approved City Council goals.
ALTERNATIVES
Without the support of C4 Consulting, our service impact through the GYC could be constrained as we have limited staff. C4 Consulting’s support around youth leadership development and capacity building is critical to its continued success and impact, especially as we gear up for the growth of our programs into the Teen Innovation Center. If this contract was stopped now, we would have to rethink the GYC strategy, which is not recommended at this point as it has been a major pride point for the City, and we need their engagement and support to program the new Center.
BUDGET IMPACT
This new Agreement is less than the previous contract. It is not to exceed $22,500 and runs through June 2026. This work is paid through funding allocated from Measure K.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council approve a Consulting Services Agreement between the City of Gonzales and Michelle Slade, C4 Consulting, LLC. for rendering services that support Youth Leadership Development; and authorize the City Manager to sign it.
Attachments:
1. Agreement with C4 Consulting