City Council
Staff Report
From: City Manager
Report Type: CONSENT CALENDAR
Lead Department: Community Services
Meeting Date: February 9, 2026
Report #:2511-5572
TITLE
Approval of Amendment No. 1. of the Future Talent of Silicon Valley dba First Tee - Silicon Valley (Contract S25192927) Facility Use Agreement to Extend the Term for Three Years to February 2029; CEQA status – not a project.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve of Amendment No. 1 to extend the Facility Use Agreement between the City of Palo Alto and First Tee – Silicon Valley for use of the Youth Practice Area at Baylands Golf Links for an additional three-years, with one optional two-year renewal.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
First Tee - Silicon Valley (FTSV) is a nonprofit youth development organization that uses golf as a platform to teach life skills, character development, and resilience to children and teens. Since October 2024, the City of Palo Alto (City) has partnered with FTSV under a short-term facility use agreement at Baylands Golf Links. Approval of the attached three-year Facility Use Agreement extension, with an optional two-year renewal, will provide program continuity, support equitable youth access to golf, and allow FTSV to pursue fundraising for capital improvements to the Youth Practice Area, while the City continues longer-term planning efforts related to the driving range and netting infrastructure.
BACKGROUND
FTSV’s mission is to enable youth to build strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. By integrating the game of golf with a structured life-skills curriculum, FTSV provides active learning experiences that promote confidence, resilience, and positive decision-making. Programs are designed to be inclusive and accessible to youth of diverse backgrounds, with affordability options for families experiencing financial hardship.
On August 27, 20241, staff provided the Parks and Recreation Commission with an update on preliminary discussions with FTSV regarding a potential long-term partnership at Baylands Golf Links. In October 2024, the City executed a short-term Facility Use Agreement with FTSV, providing access to the Youth Practice Area through February 2026. This interim agreement was approved by the City Manager in alignment with procurement policies and procedures. This is a single source contract partnering with a local agency to provide these services, in alignment with the City’s recreation, equity, and community benefit goals. The services are not transactional, as they rely on established program models, curriculum, trained staff, and long- standing integration with the City’s golf facility and operations.
Staff subsequently provided an update as part of the Baylands Golf Links Report at the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting on May 27, 20252. Since that time, staff have continued coordination with FTSV, including meetings with the golf course operator, site visits, and discussions related to program access, site logistics, and potential capital investment.
ANALYSIS
FTSV has expressed interest in fundraising for capital improvements to the Youth Practice Area, such as completion of a natural turf youth practice area and perimeter netting improvements along Embarcadero Road. The ability to pursue fundraising and donor commitments is contingent on securing longer-term site access through a City-approved Facility Use Agreement.
In parallel, the City has re-engaged the National Golf Foundation to complete a Second Deck Feasibility Study for the Baylands Golf Links driving range. A ball-trajectory study is anticipated to be completed by February 2026 and will inform both safety considerations and the feasibility analysis. The study will evaluate the potential for a double deck driving range and include a financial pro forma based on current market conditions. The completed feasibility study is expected to be presented to the Parks and Recreation Commission in early 2026.
Given the expiration of the interim agreement in February 2026, staff is bringing forward this three-year agreement for City Council approval, with an optional two-year renewal that would require future City Council action, to ensure program continuity for youth participants while longer-term planning and capital decisions continue.
Related Capital Project
The FY 2026 Capital Improvement Program includes Project PG-18000, Golf Course Net and Artificial Turf Replacement, with a remaining budget of $770,000. Sequencing of the net replacement project, the Second Deck Feasibility Study, and coordination with First Tee – Silicon Valley is critical, as each effort is independent but directly influences the others. Staff is 1 Parks and Recreation Commission, August 27, 2024, Agenda Item #4, https://www.paloalto.gov/City- Hall/Boards-Commissions/Parks-and-Recreation-Commission 2 Parks and REcreation Commission, May 27, 2025, Agenda Item #4, SR #2505-4703, https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=16896 continuing coordinated progress on this multi-faceted planning effort. Approval of this three- year extension with an optional two-year renewal will not restrict the City Council and staff’s multi-faceted planning and potential capital investments.
FISCAL/RESOURCE IMPACT
Approval of Amendment No. 1 results in continued annual revenue of $17,280 to the General Fund (Fund 102), totaling $51,840 over the three-year term. There are no additional appropriations required for this action, as the maintenance of the golf course facility, including turf management and irrigation is an existing fixed cost within the Community Services Department’s operating budget. The City provides no direct cash subsidy to the First Tee of FTSV, and the nominal incremental operational costs associated with FTSV’s specific use of the facility are partially offset by the annual revenue fee, ensuring the City receives compensation for the use of the facility in alignment with cost recovery goals for youth programs.
STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
Staff has engaged with internal and external stakeholders throughout the development of the proposed Facility Use Agreement with FTSV. Updates on discussions and potential partnership opportunities were provided to the Parks and Recreation Commission on August 27, 2024, and May 27, 2025, with an additional informational update included as part of the Commission’s November 25, 20255, meeting. These updates focused on program access, operational considerations, and alignment with broader planning efforts at Baylands Golf Links.
In parallel, staff conducted ongoing coordination with FTSV and the Baylands Golf Links operator beginning in 2024. This included meetings and site visits to review program operations, scheduling, safety considerations, and site logistics to ensure compatibility with existing golf course operations. Additional public outreach is not proposed at this time, as the action before City Council is limited to approval of a Facility Use Agreement and does not involve physical site changes or capital construction.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed action is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), as it involves a facility use agreement with no physical changes to the site at this time.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: The City of Palo Alto and the Future Talent of Silicon Valley dba First Tee – Silicon Valley Contract S25192927 Amendment No. 1
APPROVED BY: Kristen O'Kane, Community Services Director 5 Parks and Recreation Commission, November 25, 2025, Agenda Item #5, SR #2511-5439, https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=17529