City of Gonzales
CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor Rios and City Council
DATE: March 16, 2026
FROM: Carmen Gil, City Manager
THROUGH: Carmen Gil, City Manager
SUBJECT: Resolution No, 2026-13 Withdraw Funding for the Community Center from the Community Foundation Account
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2026-13, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing the City Manager to Withdraw Funding Donated for the Dennis and Janice Caprara Community Center Complex from the Community Foundation Account.
BACKGROUND
The City embarked on a capital campaign in 2021 in support of the development of the Dennis and Janice Caprara Community Center Complex knowing that the project was going to take an outstanding amount of funding, but that there were generous people out there that believed in the community’s vision and wanted to support the development of the center.
An initial step for the Capital Campaign was to set up an account that could provide potential donors assurance that their donations would indeed go to the development of the center. For that, we had to identify a trusted partner that could provide that assurance and that believed in the project just as much as we did.
The Community Foundation for Monterey County is the go-to for setting up disaster funds, and they manage many other community funds; and although they don’t typically do capital campaigns, they were gracious enough to work with us and establish a fund in which our Center’s donations could be held.
To date we have drawn down $5,904,662.31 and have another $500,000 in the account ready to be drawn down since we have costs we need to cover. This includes $30,000 that we were just awarded by AT&T for the Center’s technology needs.
AGENDA
ITEM
12 REVIEW & ANALYSIS
The funds in the account have been generously donated from members that support our community and that come from all walks of life, as well as funding that was generated from the paver campaign we held and other funding pledges we received. We have received donations ranging from $5 dollars to $2 million, showing that people from all sides of the economic spectrum believe in the project and want to support it. We are fortunate to receive every single one of them and every single donation makes a difference.
Although the Center has now been constructed, we are still closing out final payments and having to extend the bonds that were sold for the interim finance loan, and have programming that needs to be established. We will also be starting to work on the campaign for Phase 2 of the project once we wrap up the loose ends on the first phase.
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: We have funding in the Community Foundation account that was donated for the Center that we need to access to cover the extension of the bonds that were sold to cover the interim loan, as well as funding that was donated to bring technology into the Center by AT&T.
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. X Yes _____No _____ NA
Explain: Please see explanation above for the Mission.
Strong fiscal policies allow us to provide appropriate infrastructure for:
• Public Safety Yes No X N/A
• Housing Yes No X N/A
• Recreation X Yes No N/A
• Environment X Yes No N/A
• Education X Yes No N/A
Explain: Please see explanation above for the Vision.
ALTERNATIVES
We need to withdraw the funds as we need to have money to cover the extension of the bonds that were sold to cover the interim financing loan.
BUDGET IMPACT
The Community Center fund balance will grow in revenue by $500,000 requiring a budget amendment to reflect the new amount.
CONCLUSION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 2026-13, A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Gonzales Authorizing the City Manager to Withdraw Funding Donated for the Dennis and Janice Caprara Community Center Complex from the Community Foundation Account.
Attachments:
1. Resolution No. 2026-13